Genesis Chapter 15

(Genesis 15:1 [KJV])
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

• The LORD had just shown Abram His power and might in battle, yet Abram is like all of us. He has to hear it again and again.
• Our rewards in this life are nothing and will burn up, compared to God Himself being our reward.  He did not say, "things from me" or "things you will accomplish through Me", but "I AM".
• God, as our shield, is our Protectorate as well.  Nothing can happen to us outside of God's allowance, permitting, eyesight.

(Isaiah 54:17 [KJV])

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

(Psalm 3:3 [KJV])

But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

A lifter of the head is what a shepherd would do to a sheep that is not in control.

http://www.sheep101.info/201/handling.html

"If you keep the sheep's head up, you will be able to maintain control of it. Sheep have a lot more power when their head is down. You can also use a shepherd's crook to catch a sheep by the neck......
.....If you cannot get close enough to the sheep to grab it under its jaw, you can reach for its hind leg or rear flank. Reach for the hind leg above the hock, then move your other hand up to control the head as soon as possible."
 

(Psalm 28:7 [KJV])

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

(Psalm 59:11 [KJV])

Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

(Psalm 119:114 [KJV])

Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

(Psalm 144:2 [KJV])

My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

(Genesis 15:2-3 [KJV])
And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.

• Apparently God being his reward was not enough for Abram.
• Apparently also this steward was going to be the heir of all of Abram's things, unless Abram had a son.
• Abram wanted nothing from the King of Sodom, but he wanted an heir directly from the LORD

(Genesis 15:4 [KJV])
And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.

• Isaac, the impossible promised child, will be the real heir
• To believe this means taking God at His Word.

The Gospel foretold-The Seed is to be Jesus

(Genesis 3:15)

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his
heel.

The line of the seed-Isaac, child of faith, promise

The reason that Isaac is a child of promise is because Sarah was 90 years old and incapable of bearing a child. HE accepted that Sarah would bear Isaac by faith in God's promise.  Isaac foreshadowed Jesus Christ in many ways.  There are many intentional similarities as well:

1. Isaac, impossibly born by a miracle (Genesis 21:2, Romans 4:19)
2. His birth was foretold, like Jesus (Genesis 18:10, 14)
3. Isaac was a child of promise (Genesis 18:10, 14)
4. Isaac was a child through whom all of the world would be blessed (Genesis 17:21, Galatians 3:16)
5. Child nearly sacrificed, as a test of Abraham's faith (Genesis 22:10-11)
6. At the sacrifice which was stopped, the prophecy of the Messiah Himself as God, Jesus, the Lamb would be provided (Genesis 22:8)
7. Isaac was "obedient unto death" (Philippians 2:8, Genesis 22:6)
8. Isaac carried the wood for his death to the place of sacrifice, as did Jesus carry His Cross (Genesis 22:6)
9. Isaac was "as good as dead" and "resurrected spiritually" (Genesis 22:10-11, Hebrews 11:19)
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This list is not exhaustive, nor can it be taken lightly, since some of the key elements of our salvation in Christ were foreshadowed in Isaac, giving the perfect illustration of salvation

THE LINE OF THE SEED, FROM ISAAC TO JESUS CHRIST

(Matthew 1:1-16 [KJV])

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;

And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

(v.2)Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob;.....(v.16) And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

(Luke 3: 23-38)

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

Which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph,

Which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, which was the son of Naum, which was the son of Esli, which was the son of Nagge,

Which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Juda,

Which was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of Neri,

Which was the son of Melchi, which was the son of Addi, which was the son of Cosam, which was the son of Elmodam, which was the son of Er,

Which was the son of Jose, which was the son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi,

Which was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of Eliakim,

Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,

Which was the son of Jesse, which was the son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which was the son of Salmon, which was the son of Naasson,

Which was the son of Aminadab, which was the son of Aram, which was the son of Esrom, which was the son of Phares, which was the son of Juda, Which was the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham, which was the son of Thara, which was the son of Nachor,

Which was the son of Saruch, which was the son of Ragau, which was the son of Phalec, which was the son of Heber, which was the son of Sala,

Which was the son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, which was the son of Sem, which was the son of Noe, which was the son of Lamech,

Which was the son of Mathusala, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, which was the son of Maleleel, which was the son of Cainan,

Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

(v.23) And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph,.........

(v. 34) which was the son of Isaac, which was the son of Abraham,

(Genesis 15:5 [KJV])
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

• How many stars are there, visible to the naked eye?  
• How many believers, Jew and Gentile, from the beginning to the end of the Millenial Kingdom?

(Genesis 15:6 [KJV])
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

• This is the Gospel in the Old testament
• Abraham is a believing, faithful Jew

(Romans 4:2-5 [KJV])
For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

(Genesis 15:7 [KJV])
And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.

• God reminds Abram Who He is through His actions on Abram's behalf
• The land could have been given to him where he was in Ur of the Chaldees (Iraq, Babylon on the Euphrates), but God had a better place for Abram-Canaan.

(Genesis 15:8 [KJV])
And he said, Lord GOD, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?

• Abram wants a sign for assurance, perhaps a slight lack of faith, or just unsure of how God will do this.
• God is gracious enough to give him his request for a sign

(1 Corinthians 1:22 [KJV])

For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

 

(Genesis 15:9 [KJV])

And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.

• Heifer: Sin purification
• She Goat: Ignorant sin atonement
• Ram: Sin offering, burnt offerings/sacrifices, wave offering, trespass offering
• Turtledove, young pigeon: Sin offering
• The custom of splitting the animals in half and both parties walking through the middle of them was that, if it was broken by either party, this is what was to happen to them.
• It was a serious contract!
• God apparently knew that Abram might break it, so He made it unilateral
• God also made it unilateral because it was to be by grace through faith with no work on the part of Abram

THE RED HEIFER
(Numbers 19:17 [KJV])
And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel:

(Deutereonomy 21:1-9 [KJV])
If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him: 
Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: 
And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke; 
And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley: 
And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried: 
And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: 
And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. 
Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. 
So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.

(Hebrews 9:13 [KJV])
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:


THE SHE GOAT
(Numbers 15:27-28 [KJV])
And if any soul sin through ignorance, then he shall bring a she goat of the first year for a sin offering.
And the priest shall make an atonement for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before the LORD, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him.


THE TURTLEDOVE, YOUNG PIGEON

(Leviticus 12:6 [KJV])

And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: (Jeremiah 34:18 [KJV]
And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof,

(Genesis 15:10 [KJV])

And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not.

 
THE COVENANT OF WALKING THROUGH THE SPLIT CARCASSES
 

http://bible.cc/genesis/15-10.htm
Rabbi Solomon Jarchi says, "It was a custom with those who entered into covenant with each other to take a heifer and cut it in two, and then the contracting parties passed between the pieces." See this and the scriptures to which it refers particularly explained, Genesis 6:18. A covenant always supposed one of these four things:

1. The contracting parties were strangers, and the covenant was their way of getting acquainted.

2. Or perhaps the contracting parties were in a state of, battle, hostile towards one another or had enmity; the covenant brought them into a pacified, peaceful state of amity.

3. Or perhaps the contracting parties may have known each other, but now they now agree to unite their counsels, strength, property, etc., for the accomplishment of a particular purpose, laying aside their own personal interests for the sake of the new common good goals

4. It implies an agreement to succor and defend a third party in cases of oppression and distress.

Whatver reason that the covenant was made, the idea was that, if either party broke the covenant, the same splitting in half would be done to them.

"For whatever purpose a covenant was made, it was ever ratified by a sacrifice offered to God; and the passing between the divided parts of the victim appears to have signified that each agreed, if they broke their engagements, to submit to the punishment of being cut asunder; which we find from Matthew 24:51; Luke 12:46, was an ancient mode of punishment. This is farther confirmed by Herodotus, who says that Sabacus, king of Ethiopia, had a vision, in which he was ordered μεσους διατεμειν, to cut in two, all the Egyptian priests; lib. ii. We find also from the same author, lib. vii., that Xerxes ordered one of the sons of Pythius μεσον διατεμειν, to be cut in two, and one half to be placed on each side of the way, that his army might pass through between them. That this kind of punishment was used among the Persians we have proof from Daniel 2:5; Daniel 3:29. Story of Susanna, verses 55, 59. See farther, 2 Samuel 12:31, and 1 Chronicles 20:3. These authorities may be sufficient to show that the passing between the parts of the divided victims signified the punishment to which those exposed themselves who broke their covenant engagements. And that covenant sacrifices were thus divided, even from the remotest antiquity, we learn from Homer, Il. A., v. 460."

(Matthew 24:51 [KJV])
 
And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
 
(Luke 12:46 [KJV])
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

　 (Genesis 15:11 [KJV])

And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away.

• Birds such as vultures, ravens, other scavengers are representative often of the enemy, are common throughout the world, who wants to thwart God's plans.  Abram was not about to let that happen.
• Nevertheless, it was up to God, not Abram, so He probably let Abram give it a shot before letting him sleep.  

(Matthew 24:28 [KJV])

For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

(Luke 17:37 [KJV])

And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them,Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

　

　

(Genesis 15:12 [KJV])

And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.

• This was not your average sleep, but supernatural rest
• I would imagine that Abram was very much awake and refreshed afther this sleep.

(Genesis 15:13 [KJV])

And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;

• This is the prophecy of the bondage in Egypt under Pharoah
• It was foretold that it would be rough also
• Four hundred years is a long time for us, but not for God.
• Egypt was not promised to Israel, as was other lands (not theirs)

(Genesis 15:14 [KJV])

And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

• Another prophecy is the destruction of Pharoah and his armies in the Red Sea after that. 

(Genesis 15:15 [KJV])

And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.

• Not many people were told such a thing as this.   
• Not die at war
• Good old age
• Be buried with his fathers
• Lots of future information

(Genesis 15:16 [KJV])

But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.

• Because of the ages of the patriarchs, this generation was about 100 to 120 years, so the great-great-grandchildren would be coming out of those going into captivity in Egypt.
• The actual number was 430, so 400 is rounded.
• There is sojourning, and serving. They may have dwelled 430 years, and served only 400 years
• The sins of the Amorites being full explains the mercy of God, allowing four hundred years to repent as a nation
• The 400 years of captivity would be the time for the Amorites to be filled with their sins
• God delayed the Flood for 120 years
• When God finally seeks the destruction of all of them, it is therefore merciful

(Exodus 12:40 [KJV])
Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years.

Or the 430 years is from Galatians 3:17, the time of the giving of the Covenant to the giving of the Law:
 
(Galatians 3:17 [KJV])
And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

(Genesis 10:16-20 [KJV])
And the Jebusite, and the Amorite, and the Girgasite,  And the Hivite, and the Arkite, and the Sinite,  And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad. And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha. These are the sons of Ham, after their families, after their tongues, in their countries, and in their nations.

For more information, see the Creation Wiki: 
  
http://www.creationwiki.org/Amorites
 
(Genesis 15:17 [KJV])
And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.

According to Matthew Henry:

• This possibly represented the Israelites' severe trials and joyful deliverance
• Possible that this furnace and lamp, which passed between the pieces, burned and consumed them, and so completed the sacrifice,
• testified God's acceptance of it.
• So it intimates that God's covenants with man are made by sacrifice
• Smoking furnace=suffering; burning lamp=the glory after the suffering

(Genesis 15:18-21 [KJV])
In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

• This is basically all Canaanite land, these ten tribes
• It is from the Nile to the Euphrates

1 Kings 8:25, 2 Kings 14:25

Genesis Chapter 14

(Genesis) 14:1 [KJV])
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;

• King of nations simply refers to being king of people, gentiles, the masses, etc.

The ELAMITES

_______________

(Genesis 10:22 [KJV])
The children of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram.


(1 Chronicles 1:17 [KJV])
The sons of Shem; Elam, and Asshur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram, and Uz, and Hul, and Gether, and Meshech.



(Ezra 4:9 [KJV])
Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites,


(Acts 2:9 [KJV])
Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

_______________

(Genesis) 14:2 [KJV])
That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.


(Genesis) 14:3 [KJV])
All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.

• The current location is the bottom of the Dead Sea, also known as the Great Salt Sea

(Genesis) 14:4 [KJV])
Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.


(Genesis) 14:5 [KJV])
And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,


(Genesis) 14:6 [KJV])
And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.


(Genesis) 14:7 [KJV])
And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.


(Genesis) 14:8 [KJV])
And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;


(Genesis) 14:9 [KJV])
With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.


(Genesis) 14:10 [KJV])
And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.

• Geologically, slime pits are tar pits, which would have been a natural occurrence during and after the Flood of Noah, such as the La Brea tar pits, etc.
• Strategically a good place for fighting an enemy, as they would naturally be trapped, at which point you could just pick them off. 

SLI'ME-PIT
n. A pit of slime or adhesive mire.


(Genesis) 14:11 [KJV])
And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

• Goods refer to anything other than food, water, etc. such as weapons, perhaps horses, etc.
• Victuals refers to provisions of food and water for troops. 
• Because of its pronunciation (vit'lz ), today in the Southern U.S. it is spelled "vittels"
• Basically, they plundered then

VICTUALS,
n. vit'lz. [L. victus, food, from the root of vivo, which was vigo or vico, coinciding with vigeo. Basque, vicia life. This word is now never used in the singular.]

Food for human beings, prepared for eating; that which supports human life; provisions; meat; sustenance. We never apply this word to that on which beasts or birds feed, and we apply it chiefly to food for men when cooked or prepared for the table. We do not now give this name to flesh, corn or flour, in a crude state; but we say, the victuals are well cooked or dressed, and in great abundance. We say, a man eats his victuals with a good relish.

Such phrases as to buy victuals for the army or navy, to lay in victuals for the winter, _c. are now obsolete. We say, to buy provisions; yet we use the verb, to victual an army or ship.



(Genesis) 14:12 [KJV])
And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

• Wrong place, wrong time, wrong guy
• Lot was probably not so much in the war as much as he was in the country or living on one side of that war
• This would include all of the people, servants with Lot

(Genesis) 14:13 [KJV])
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.

• This is almost like Job's experience, over and over:

________________

(Job 1:15-19 [KJV])

And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

__________________

(Genesis) 14:14 [KJV])
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

• Again, Lot is called Abram's brother and not his nephew.
• Think about who will get the victory here. Three hundred eighteen to how many thousands?

EARLIER (v.1-2:
And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;


Three kings, with armies


That these made war with five kings, and their armies


Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.



(Genesis) 14:15 [KJV])
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

• Three hundred eighteen make thousands flee

(Genesis) 14:16 [KJV])
And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

• When God saves, he saves everything HE wants to:

(Hebrews 7:25 [KJV])

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.


(Genesis) 14:17 [KJV])
And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.

• No doubt the King of Sodom was impressed to see three hundred eighteen men take on so many and make them run!

(Genesis) 14:18 [KJV])
And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

• No royal priesthood established as of yet
• No nation of Israel as of yet (Israel is not even born yet)

(Genesis) 14:19 [KJV])
And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

• When Melchizedek blesses you, you are truly blessed 

(Genesis) 14:20 [KJV])
And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

• There was, as of yet, not a law for giving of tithes,  even though there was the idea of a blood sacrifice from Genesis 4:
  

________________

(Genesis 4:3-4 [KJV])And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.


And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

MELCHISEDEC, PRIEST OF THE MOST HIGH GOD

________________

(Hebrews Chapter 7 [KJV])
For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;


To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;


Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.


Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.


And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:


But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.


And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.


And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.


And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.


For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.


If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?


For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.


For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.


For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.


And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,


Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.


For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.


For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.


For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.


And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:


(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)


By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.


And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:


But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.


Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.


For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;


Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.


For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

________________

1. He gave Him tithes-a sign of deity
2. He was the High Priest of the Most High God
3. There was no priesthood in Israel yet
4. He was called the King of righteousness, 
5. He was called also the King of Salem, which is, King of peace
6. Without father
7. Without mother
8. No beginning (eternal)
9. No end (eternal)
10. Made like unto the Son of God
11. Always a priest

(Genesis) 14:21 [KJV])

And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

• The king apparently forgot who gave the victory, so he wanted Abram to get the spoils.
• He wanted his subjects back, now that the war was over.

(Genesis) 14:22 [KJV])
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

• Worship would be a natural outpouring of such a victory as being outnumbered and routing the enemy forces.
• The God of the Bible is unique in being called the "possessor of Heaven and Earth" and often "the LORD that Created the heavens, the earth, the sea and all that in them is"

(Genesis) 14:23 [KJV])
That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

• One way to be and remain blameless is not to even take that which is rightfully yours, well earned.

(2 Corinthians 11:7-9 [KJV])
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? 
I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.



(2 Corinthians 12:13 [KJV])
For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.


(2 Corinthians 12:17 [KJV])
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?




(Genesis) 14:24 [KJV])
Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.

• In other words, "For myself I care nothing, but take care of them"

2nd Thessalonians- 2:7 "until he be taken out of the way"

This verse from 2nd Thessalonians reads:

"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth[ will let], until he be taken out of the way"

The "he" is widely agreed to be the Holy Spirit Himself who is letting, or restraining iniquity that is ready to be unleashed on a Christ rejecting, sin infested world!

When you survey the world scene, and observe what's happening in regards to spiritual deception, moral decay,and just out right wickedness that has covered the entire planet like a blanket! It's difficult to believe that things can get any worse!

But increase they will, as I will try to show through this article, if it's The Lord' will!

In Matthew 24, Jesus lays out for us the "signs" that would unfold as we approach His Second Coming. He said these "signs" would increase like "Birth Pangs", increasing in frequency and intensity. He begins by telling us to beware of spiritual deception, wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, pestilences etc. All of these things will increase exponentially as His return draws near!

We are definitely living in the "Times of the signs"!

The events taking place on the world scene, from the unrest in the middle east, to the constant threats of nuclear weapons being unleashed on the planet, all point to this being the last days. You have what seems to be every end-time sign that the Lord Jesus said would signal His return now in place!

Iran who has, on several occasions, openly called for the total destruction of the Nation of Israel, without any protest from the United Nations, or any other country for that matter! It really boggles the mind as to why the nations of the earth have such a hatred for the Nation of Israel, Unless you view it through the lens of Bible Prophecy, it is impossible to grasp the situation, which is totally spiritual!

If Satan had his way, he would totally wipe Israel off of the map, But Almighty God says in His word that will never happen!

Jeremiah 31:35-36 says:

"Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, [and] the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts [is] his name(KJV) 
v. 36
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, [then] the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever." 

Regardless of the plans of Satan, he can do nothing until The Lord removes The Restrainer, who is the Holy Spirit, and us " The Blood Bought Bride of The Lord Jesus Christ" by way of the Rapture!


"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:" 
-2nd Thessalonians-2:8.

There is coming a day, very very soon I believe,

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first, Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
-1 Thessalonians. 4:16-18


Maranatha!!

Job Chapter 29

Job 29:1-2 
Moreover Job continued his parable, and said, Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;

• When we go through difficult situations, we reminisce about the days of old.
• This was not that long ago for Job, and he was truly blessed
• He was looking back; we should look forward to the days like that which are future for us

Job 29:3 
When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;

• Either one of three things:
• He is now walking in darkness, without the light of the LORD
• He was walking with darkness all around him then, with the light of the LORD
• Both are true

Psalm 119:105
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 

Job 29:4 
As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;

• Job apparently knew God from an early age
• In the final analysis, it is ONLY God who can have secrets
• One of His secrets was the Gospel, only always hidden from all who will not believe, and it is so today.

God's Secret(s):

_____________________________

Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. 

Job 11:6 

And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. 

Job 15:8
Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

Psalm 25:14
The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. 

Psalm 27:5 
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

Psalm 31:20
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

Psalm 81:7
Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah. 

Psalm 91:1 
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Proverbs 3:32 
For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.


Isaiah 45:3
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

Isaiah 48:16 
Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.

Daniel 2:22
He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.

Daniel 2:28 

But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

Daniel 2:29
As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass.

Amos 3:7 

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Matthew 13:35 
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

Romans 16:25
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

______________________

Job 29:5 
When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;

• God and family

Job 29:6 
When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil; 

• There was so much wealth in Job's possession that he had extra milk, dripping down as butter out the door and down the stoop of his house.

Job 29:7 
When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!

• Job was a leader in the land of Uz, either politically powerful due to his wealth, or spiritual, publicly departing godly wisdom. Or both.

This would have been the reason for both public scrutiny and public respect

(Job 1:1 [KJV])

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

Job 29:8 
The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.

• Job was feared by the hooligans of his day and respected by the aged, probably for the same reason.

Job 29:9-10 
The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth. The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.

• When royalty is silenced as you go by, then that is something!

Job 29:11 
When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:

• Job righteously and wisely judged matters of the heart, apparently for many people

Job 29:12 
Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.

• Job provided assistance to those who needed it.

Job 29:13 
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

• Job was a comfort to those widows in his influence
• The only way for a widow to sing for joy is the joy of the LORD in such as time of need.

Job 29:14 
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.

• Job knew tat he was saved and that one day he would see God

(Job 19:25-26 [KJV])
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:


(Psalm 132:9 [KJV])
Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.


(Isaiah 61:10 [KJV])
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

(Revelation 19:7-8 [KJV])
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.


Job 29:15 
I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.

• We can be both physical eyes and spiritual ones for the blind physically and the spiritually blind.

Job 29:16 
I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.

• Job sought to understand the situation of those who were unjustly treated financially.

Job 29:17 
And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth. 

• Hopefully, Job is being figurative here, since this seems out of character for him!

Job 29:18 
Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.

• Job wanted to live to a ripe old age and die of natural causes, most likely in his bed.

Job 29:19 
My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.

• A tree near water is massive, shady, shelter, beautiful, fruitful, protective, a blessing.  
• The root system of any tree determines the health of it

Job 29:20 
My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.

• This is either a small branch, tender, green or an archer's bow of the same

Job 29:21 
Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.

• Job was the original E.F. Hutton

Job 29:22 
After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.

• Job's answer in judgment and in departing wisdom was so good, it was final.

Job 29:23 
And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

• Lacking wisdom is like having a drought
• Thoughts, judgment wither until the rains come

Job 29:24 
If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.

• Apparently they thought that he was joking when he was joking, since he was so serious, wise. sage

Job 29:25 
I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners. 

• His place was above the normal order of things, as a judge where he lived among men.