Genesis

Scripture doesn't give us a specific timeline of when these events occurred but apparently society began to evolve with more human led social structures in the form of city-states. The leaders of these were referred to as kings. One such group from the northern region scattered around Sodom and Gomorrah were led by a king called Chedorlaomer. This group of city-states revolted against the northern kings resulting in them being attacked. During this war Lot was taken captive. A refugee from the fighting informed Abraham about Lot's capture. Abraham led a force to recapture Lot, his family and possessions.

This event shows that society had evolved into a form of government. This evolution was obviously not for those that followed God. It also shows that even though it's not stated, God was obviously with Abraham. Abraham went into battle with a relatively small group of fighters against battle hardened forces under the 5 northern kings. This would be seen in the blessing given by Melchizedek (verse 20). God's promise of protection to Abraham would be put to the test and God fulfilled His promise.

After Abraham returns from the victory and rescue of Lot, Melchizedek, a priest of God, blesses Abraham. Abraham, in turn gives Melchizedek a tenth of his possessions.

The significance of this is that Abraham recognizes Melchizedek as a person worthy of honor due to his position as a priest of God. From Abraham accepting the blessing we can surmise that he recognized the person and position of Melchizedek.

He is the type for the eternal priesthood of Christ. We don't know the beginning or end of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:1-10 discusses how Melchizedek is a type for Christ. Melchizedek in having no genealogy showing his beginning or end resembled the Son of God as a priest forever. He took a tenth of the spoils setting the standard for taking tithes from the descendants of Abraham. This action shows that he was considered greater than Abraham.

Abraham wanted all the glory and credit for his victory to point to God. If he had taken any of the spoils from the King of Sodom then others may have thought that it was he, and not God that had achieved the victory.

Recall that as Abraham is introduced in Genesis 12:1-2, God states that He will bless Abraham so that he will become a blessing to others. Part of that blessing are the physical blessings and the honors Abraham received. Abraham recognized this and shifted the true honor to God. This is an example of Abraham's faithfulness to God.

Abraham knew that it was God who gave him victory over his enemies. We too must recognize that it is God who saves us from our spiritual enemies.

Too many times we see examples in scripture and in the lives of those who take credit and honor for their successes rather than recognize these as a blessing from God. Some fail to recognize their need for salvation, somehow reasoning that they can save themselves, or due to the great things they may have achieved in their lives will somehow be worthy of favor from God.

Paul teaches us that all have sinned and fallen short (Genesis 3:23). He also teaches us that we cannot save ourselves, but it is by God's grace through faith that we are saved (Ephesians 2:8). We come into contact with that saving grace by acting upon our faith.