Living on a Prayer – The Altar of Hebron

 

These past two weeks, we have been learning about the life of Abram and Sarai. This family is heralded as the “First Family of Faith,” and founders of God’s promised land. The Lord spoke audibly to Abram while he lived among his family in Ur of the Chaldeans. God told Abram to leave his family’s land and travel to a place of God’s choosing. The Lord promised blessings beyond Abraham’s wildest dreams. On the very word of God (one conversation) Abram obeyed and moved on. 

 

First, we discussed the altar Abram built for God at Shechem. This altar was the place where the Lord first appeared to Abram. Last week, we discussed the altar Abram built for the Lord at Bethel. This altar was where Abram strayed and returned to the house and the presence of God. 

 

Now there’s a new problem in Abram’s camp:

 

Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents. But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.) 

 

Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.” 

 

Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord. Genesis 13:5-13 (NLT)

 

Did you notice Lot’s decision was to live near the people who did not want to do right? Do you have a friend like Lot? Someone who just can’t get right? Are you dating that person? Folks attracted to trouble and seeking drama all the time?

 

The best relationships are “boring!” 

 

I’m convinced some of us have said no to some perfect opportunities because we were looking for fireworks instead of smoldering embers. (fireworks are noisy and sparkly but don’t produce usable fire)

 

Repeat after me:

 

After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! 

 

Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the Lord. Genesis 13:14-18 (NLT)

 

No sooner had Lot packed up his caravan and departed the camp and the Lord began to speak to Abram again! Abram hears the voice of the Lord affirming the promised blessings upon Abram and his descendants!

 

The blessing God pronounces upon Abraham speaks to us today! God was promoting the family of faith that would produce generation upon generation of Jewish people to come! This blessing would be extended through the grace of our Messiah into the lives of every faith-filled Christian!

 

Could you imagine a blessing starting in you today that would make the world take notice of the God you serve? Do you realize God has a plan like that for you?

 

God promises to remain with us through every moment and day of life. As long as He is with us, we cannot lose! He always causes us to triumph!

 

But Church: Sometimes we have to walk away from dissenting voices to hear from the Lord.

 

Dissonant messengers draw our focus from our identity and purpose in God.

 

Lot became a problem for Abram…I can imagine Lot leaving the camp and Father God watching Him go and saying to Abram, “This guy…”. (Like Char or Mom saying, “I don’t like her for you…she’s not a good friend.”)

 

Once Lot got good and settled into this land of conflict, WAR! War broke out in the region. 

 

It was a Four Kings against Five who rebelled against the mighty King Kedorlaomer of Elam. Well…the five were defeated, and insult to injury? As they fled for their lives, some of them fell into tar pits and were killed while the rest ran off into the mountains afraid for their lives! 

Problem? Lot chose the rebellious side! So Abrams’s nephew Lot was captured…he and all his people and possessions were seized by the enemy army!

 

Have you ever looked back on your relationship decisions in the past and said, “Whew! Thanks be to God…I didn’t stay with __________?”

 

Today, we want to tell you there is a kind of separation that helps us in our life and relationships:

 

!

What’s that? Sanctification is the process of separating ourselves from things that will harm our spiritual progress with God. 

 

Sanctification has a lot more to do with heart position than physical relationships, but don’t miss the value of our message: There’s supposed to be a difference in our lives from the old way to the new way!

 

Our separation is not people but people! 

(If there’s no difference then what’s the difference?)

 

If we aren’t doing the right things, we will be of no help to anyone.

 

The Altar of Hebron was established by Abram: The name “Hebron” (in Hebrew, חֶבְרוֹן, Chevron) is commonly understood to mean “association,” “friendship,” or “fellowship.”)

 

Abram chose to fellowship with the Lord and associate with those with a greater life purpose. His decision led to a completely different experience than that of Lot. 

 

Remember “Birds of a Feather…?” or “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future?” I have a new one for you: Show me your and I’ll show you your !

 

Current digital algorithms have pinpointed what you are about and what you want and have already begun crafting presentations that please people “like you.” Even pictures you linger over before swiping or scrolling are notated. If you’ve been saying negative things lately, it is noted. Your device is being accessed by advertisers and marketplaces to present you with stories or purchasing opportunities based on all the things you like and dislike. 

 

You can fool your Mom, Dad, Friends, and coworkers, but you cannot deceive yourself forever. Who has your fellowship? 

 

Please don’t blame your friends or family for all your problems: most of our problems start within…and while we pursue a fully devoted life for God, He allows us to serve His kingdom!

 

When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan. 

 

There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives. Genesis 14:14-16 (NLT)

 

Did you catch the beginnings of a worldwide influencing leader? What was Abram doing in Canaan? While he was waiting on the provision of God’s promises, Abram was preparing to possess the land. He knew the land was currently occupied and he was preparing his family and servants to fight for what they wanted!

 

Living for God is a different kind of fight, but it is a fight nonetheless. The question is, what are we fighting for?

 

1. We are fighting against dazzling temptations like Abram. (What’s your favorite sin?)

 

If I could do any sin and get away with it, I would rob and bank…never worry about paying bill or paying off a building fund! We’d have all we need to reach and serve people without having to trust God at all…uh oh…dude! I get it, I get it!

 

2. We are fighting to love like Abram. (What’s your biggest peeve?)

 

Look for the good in people! The wrong things are easy. God has mercy and we need to look for ways to serve up redemption opportunities. Give people another chance! Forgive those who’ve done us wrong!

 

3. We are fighting to be generous in a selfish world like Abram. (What’s up with tithing?)

 

The spectacular victory Abraham brought to the nations led to the establishment of giving 10% of the work of our heads, hands, and hearts to the work of the Lord and the ministry of the church.

 

After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. 

 

Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” 

Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. 

 

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.” Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 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.’ 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—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.”

 

While the rest of our world is super-focused on what they have and keeping ahead of the Joneses…what should we consider?

 

How have I made our world better with what God has entrusted me?

 

When Abram decided to make other’s lives better, God blessed him with some powerful things:

The High Priest Melchizedek showed up (King of Salem) Righteousness and Peace

 

El Elyon represents God’s sovereignty and supreme authority over all.

 

Melchizedek the High Priest presented Abram bread and wine…

 

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:7-10 (NLT)

 

This Perfect Great High Priest also presented bread and wine…to His disciples…

 

All of this victory came through doing battle within and without to bring victory and peace to others!

 

We can have righteous and peaceful relationships with God and others when we decide to live in such a way we are ready to win every good fight of our lives!