Lot initially went near the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah but soon he is immersed in them and in danger because of this war of the kings (v1-12).

Abram acts to rescue his captive nephew (v14-16). Are we like Abraham, someone busy rescuing others from danger or are we like Lot putting ourselves in unnecessary danger?

On the way back there is this strange encounter with Melchizedek the King of Salem (Jerusalem) who is a priest of the Most High God. Melchizedek is a picture of Christ, the great priest king who comes unto the scene to bless His people (see v19-20; Hebrews 7 v1-4).

Abraham wants blessing from God’s priest and not from the King of Sodom’s gifts (v21-24). Where do we seek for blessing in our lives day by day? Is it from the gifts of others or from God? This is really a question about whether we’re living by faith in the Lord or not. One way to test this is to consider the state of your prayer life. Does it show God reliance?