Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-23

So-> l-l%dSl "eeh iSS7S'
sented the circumstances which led to the
separation between Abram and Lot. Some
time after their settlement in their new
homes opportunity was given for the for
mer to show that he still cherished kindly
feeling toward his nephew. 1t appears that
at the time Lot established himself there
Sodom, with other cities OF the plain. was
subject to the kings of several cities who
formed a kind of confederacy. but after
fourteen years Of submission an attempt
was made to throw of the yoke. THO re-
bellion was unsuccessful. In a fierce bat
tie the army of Sodom was defeated and
the inhabitants of the city were carried
away captive. Lot and his household were
included among the prisoners. On hearing
this Abram armed his men, pursued and
routed the conquerors and delivered Lot.
1t was on the return from his campaign
that he met Melchizedek, king Of Salem,
a priest of the most high God. who pro-
nounced blessing on the victorious patriarch
and exchanged kindly greeting.
VISION Verse 1)-This incident might
well awaken some misgiving In the mind of
Abram.. Thus far he had been a man OF
peace, having had no serious controversy.
Having now assumed the attitude of a mill
tary chieftain and engaged the forces of
neighboring cities he might properly imag-
inc that he would henceforth be regarded
with suspicion, that enemies would COM
bine against him. At such time he needed
some word of encouragement, and the voice
OF the Lord came to him In a vision.
method employed all through the old dis
pensation DAN, KID. By the powerful
agency of the Holy Spirit upon his mind
a strong conception and persuasion were
produced, so that he heard what other
wise could not have been known. He was
told not to fear duke, i:13). that no one
should harm him because Cod would no his
shield against all who might thrust at him,
and his reward for all his faithfulness
(Psalm, Xvi:5). These utterances We're taken
up with confidence by Abrams illustrious
descendant, the King of Israel psalm,
xXvii:D.
COMPLAINT Verses 2-3)-With such
words in his ears Abram made bold to
speak to God. He seemed not to doubt the
protection, but to wonder what reward
would be given. He was in suspense and
darkness because childless. The orientalist
felt that no earthly good was possible to
him who had no offspring. family was
priced more than riches psalm, cxXvii:O.
This was not due solely to the spirit Of
paternal love, which was not lacking, but
to the desire for immortality, as every man
expected to live in his sons psalm, xc:16).
1t is probable that the Messianic hope was
also an element in that feeling. And so
as he heard God speaking to him, Abram
made his complaint, the saddest that could
break forth out of the heart, that he had
would be Eliezer Of Damascus, assteward
10 him would descend all his possessions,
and there would be no one to execute the
Lords purpose. How then could the prom
Use be kept?
OFFSPRING Oversees 4-6)-Every good
man comes at times into perplexity through
his inability to see his way to amend which
seems to be in harmony with Gods will.
1t Is for one to believe that to be possible
which appears to be impossible. Abrams
dilemma could be removed only by further
truth, and that was given. The Lord as
sured him that the Syrian would not be his
heir, but that he would have descendants
through whom the promise should be full
filled. And then, to enlarge his concep-
tons, he was made to look upon the host
of heaven and informed that his pos
terity would be like the stars for number
Ger, xxxiii:22). This statement was very
brief There were difficulties In the way
of such result. which might have caused
many to doubt Gen. XVIII. But the truth
is always broken little by little to the
human mind, whether by revelation or pa
tient seeking. 1t Is better to have 1t SO.
Were all obtained at once its educational
value would be gone. If part is withheld,
while enough is given for present needs,
there is room for faith. And in this case
Abram believed the word of God, and was
reckoned righteous on that account.
assurance oversees I-S)-The prom
Use Of a numerous posterity, comforting as
it must have been to a childless man. was
not left to stand by itself. 1t was Joined
to an carrier PROMISE winch IT was maze
to explain and support Gen., xiH:15), and
which is here repeated. The Lord informed
Abram that he who now pledged children
was the one who had pledged land, who.
in fact, had led the patriarch out Of Chal-
dea into Canaan. The two promises were
therefore inseparable-a people and coun-
try for those people. So 1T ever is that
new truth fits into an old truth and COM
pletes it, and knowledge grows from single
facts to broad congratulations. Now comes
another question in the mind Of Abram.
It was not by any means an indication of
doubt but an earnest wish to have the
rsurest possible resting place for his faith.
a most commendable state of mind. What
assurance had he. what assurance would
God grant him that this promise Should be
fulfilled? 1t was a humble pleading for
some method by which to establish him in
that which was necessary to his future.
SACRIFICE oversees 0-11)-That there
was no improperly in this question is evil
denced by the fact that no rebuke or re-
fusal followed. On the contrary, God con-
descended to give what was desired. Abram
was directed to take a calf. a goat, RAM
a dove and a pigeon-every animal allowed