Love Binds

“And they said to her, ‘Surely we will return with you to your people.’” V. 10.

Love’s kiss of grace gained the upper hand; they wanted to go with Naomi. The shine of the world faded before God’s love.

The king of Sodom met Abraham to tempt him. But Melchizedek, king of Salem, was there before him with bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High.

When the king of Sodom subsequently said to Abraham: “Give me the persons, and you take the goods for yourself,” Abraham had sufficient strength to reply: “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’” Gen. 14:17, ff.

The love with which Melchizedek treated Abraham became such a great strength that he triumphantly overcame everything that goes by the name of greed. Melchizedek was the priest of God Most High and could therefore, by the leading of the Spirit, serve precisely at the right place and at the right time. This became a glorious salvation for Abraham, to God’s glory among people and generations who read about it.