Return from the slaughter
I.
THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN. Abram returning from the subjugation of the kings, accompanied with Lot, whom he had rescued, and laden with spoils of war.
1. The aged chieftain, Abram, 83 years of age; hale, vigorous, victorious. Not always that man’s return from the late enterprises of life is triumphant.
2. His retainers. His 318 servants (some, perhaps, left behind). How proud would these be of their leader.
3. Lot. Grateful that he had been rescued from captivity.
4. Other rescued captives. Their joy and thankfulness.
5. The first recorded war ended in the triumph of right.
6. The victory secured by a servant of God with limited resources. Prophetic of the greater war in which the great Seed of Abraham rescued, from a more cruel bondage, a greater number, who come off more than conquerors through Him who loved them.
7. His welcome home. The king of Sodom goes forth to meet him. The joy of those who have friends and property restored.
II. THE HIGH PRIEST’S BLESSING.
1. The approbation of the holy, the most valuable of all human praise. The praise of some is humiliating to the receiver. Woe be unto you when all men speak well of you. To please God, and hear His “well done,” the best end to seek.
2. Melchizedek, a priest of God, would approve success less than character.
3. He was hospitable, and provided refreshment for weary men. A good man’s obligation to one who, for others, had fought a battle in the right. His sympathy with the emancipated. His respect for the deliverer.
4. He was faithful; and reminded Abram of the most high God, who possessed all things. Men, in their successes especially, have often need to be reminded of this; and that it is God who giveth the victory.
5. Such a reminder may do a thoughtless man good, and can do a good man no harm. Abram humbly received the reminder.
III. THE DIVISION OF THE SPOIL. Many would have fought over it, and, if so well able as Abram, would have kept all they could.
1. He gave one-tenth of all to God. Did homage thus to Divine claims and principles in the person of Melchizedek.
2. Declined to take anything as his own share. Would not have it ever said that any man had made him rich. Though none could have said it justly.
3. Would not impose his rule upon others. Stipulated for the right of other men. Had the power to dictate, but left them to their own free choice. Would not have them coerced by his example, but claimed a portion for them. LEARN--
I. To love peace, and only enter upon righteous conflicts.
II. So to fight life’s battle as to return victorious and with honest satisfaction.
III. Cheerfully to recognize the successes of others.
IV. To be more anxious about the right and true than about the profit.
V. To rejoice in the Captain of our salvation, who has conquered for us, and who has rescued us from present captivity and future death. (J. C. Gray.)
Lessons
1. Conquerors usually want not observance and congratulations from the world.
2. The powers of the earth are sometimes forced to acknowledge the prowess of God’s saints.
3. Humanity persuades men to the acknowledgment of God to any, whom God makes helpful to them.
4. The killing of the slayer, and breaking the yoke of the oppressor is cause of congratulation to the oppressed.
5. Nature will not be slow to meet and congratulate its deliverers.
6. Deliverance may make men go far to acknowledge God’s servants, who before would scarce vouchsafe to go out of doors for them. (G. Hughes, B. D.)