Part 1 – Flexibility Training – Reading
In chapter 11 of Genesis, we read that Lot’s father had died. We also read that Abram’s wife, Sarai, was barren. It’s easy to guess that Abram became as a surrogate father to Lot, even though Lot was probably already an adult by this time. So when Abram gave Lot the choice of which land he would like to settle, it is quite possible that Abram was giving Lot every advantage he could as a father would his child. Little did they know that Lot’s choice would bring grief to him and his family in so many ways through the years. When trouble showed up as a raiding party following a losing battle, Uncle Abram was there to come to the rescue of Lot and his neighbors. As you read Genesis 13 and 14, remember, Uncle Abram was likely in his young 80s when he lead the successful attack against those who had already defeated the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Read Genesis chapters 13-14.
ESV – Genesis 13 – Bible Hub
NLT – Genesis 13 – Bible Hub
Abram continued to demonstrate his faith in God’s provision when the king of Sodom come out to settle up with Abram a reward for his valiance in saving his people and possessions. Abram’s response in verses 22-24 show an unwavering faith that God was the source of his wealth and he was jealous that everyone should know it was ONLY God who gave him his wealth (and his success!).
But don’t verses 18-20 seem like a strange tangent in this story of Abram and Lot? Who is this king of Salem? Where did he come from and why did Abram give him 10% of all the spoils of war? The book of Hebrews (chapters 5-7) gives us a better idea of why this apparent tangent is actually an essential part of the story of Abraham. Basically, Melchizedek, the king of Salem, is a foreshadow of Jesus. Melchizedek is called a priest of God, even though we know nothing about his ancestral claim to be a priest. Jesus’ claim to being our great High Priest in heaven is the same. He has no ancestral claim on the priesthood (since in Israel that comes through the lineage of Levi while Jesus is from Judah). And yet Jesus is declared by God to be a priest, just like Melchizedek.
PART 2 – Strength Training – Memory & Thinking
This new verse seems to be the way Abram relied on God and His provision as he let Lot have the choice of land. It’s also a good way for us to live. Let God use this verse to continue to speak to you throughout the day. Spend a few minutes reviewing the verses you’ve already committed to memory. By now, you should have several for which you need no reminders. Keep going with the memory work! It really is worth it.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Romans 4:13 Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.
As you read through the different verses about Melchizedek below, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you about how Jesus is our High Priest.
Hebrews 6:17-20 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:1-4 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!
Psalm 110:2-4 (this is a Psalm about the Messiah that Jesus quoted in Matthew 22, Mark 12, and Luke 20)
The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
The Lord sends forth from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power,
in holy garments;
from the womb of the morning,
the dew of your youth will be yours.
The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.”
Part 3 – Cardio Training – Prayer
Which part of today’s reading caught your attention the most? That of Lot or that of Melchizedek? Spend time praying through that part of the reading and how it fits in with your life. If there are parts you don’t understand, ask the Holy Spirit to give you clarity. You might begin in one of these ways:
Dear Father, I have some big decisions coming up. Please open my eyes to see where You want me to be. Help me not just see the superficial qualities as Lot did, but help me see the true nature of my choices…
Or
Dear Holy Spirit, help me understand how Melchizedek points the way to Jesus. Seeing how all the pieces fit together in the Bible is often difficult. Help me trust that it does all work together. Help me continue to study and please continue to teach me as I study and read more in the Bible…
Part 4 – Endurance Training
The soldiers of Sodom and Gomorrah gave up and ran away. They left their neighbors open to attack. But Abram did not consider everything lost. Instead he gathered up his men and his allies and rode into battle. Ask God to help you, as He did Abram, to not give up when things get hard or even seem hopeless. Keep persevering through the challenges in your life and come back tomorrow to read more examples of how Abram endured.
An Extra Lap
What part of the reading grabbed you today? Write down those things that caught your eye. Perhaps it was 80-year-old Abram riding off to battle. Or perhaps it was the Enigmatic Melchizedek being given a tenth of the spoils of war. Or perhaps Lot looking at Sodom and thinking is a nice place to raise a family. Write down those ideas and the questions you have after reading this portion of Genesis.
Faith Gym 