Temptation often follows victories due to fatigue and the celebration that accompanies them. The most dangerous time for a mountain climber is the descent down the mountain. The exhilaration of reaching the top can lead to overconfidence. The increasing exhaustion from the trip adds to the temptation to overlook safety precautions. This combination can lead to disaster.
Abram and his troops had just had a great victory. They had defeated a large army with a small force and recovered the people and goods from the enemy. They had traveled hundreds of miles by foot and had to be weary. At this point, Abram was presented with a temptation.
The Choice
As Abram returned to the Promised Land, two kings met him with two different offers. King Bera of Sodom came with the first offer. Genesis 14: 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.” [1] As the victor, Abram was entitled to the plunder of war according to the customs of the day. “Bera means “gift,” suggesting that the world bargains for your allegiance. But Sodom means “burning,” so be careful how you choose! If you bow down to Bera, everything you live for will burn up one day.”[2]
The second offer was from Melchizedek of Salem, who brought a blessing, wine, and bread. Melchizedek means “king of righteousness,” and Salem means “peace.” [3] The writer of Hebrews sees Melchizedek as a type of Christ figure (Hebrews 7). While the worldly temptation of wealth from the war plunder was tempting, Abram refused it.
Genesis 14: 22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies.[4]
Choose Jesus
Abram wanted to live by God’s blessings, not the world’s bribery. Something may be legal, but it may not be moral. This was the case with Abram, and it remains true for us today. Often, when we have a victory, our enemy will tempt us. He knows we may not be as spiritually aware in exhaustion and celebration.
We don’t want to compromise our faith testimony by accepting applause from the world. In all we do, we want to follow and honor Jesus, our king of righteousness. This means being mindful that temptation often follows victories.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/war-and-worship
[1,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[2,3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). Be Obedient (p. 37). Victor Books.