History unfolds before us as we read further in Genesis. God's original covenant with Abram sets the stage for thousands of years of violence in the region, violence that continues to this day.
Genesis 12:2 says,
"I will make you a great nation, I will bless you and make your name great; And you shall be a blessing."
Genesis 13:14-16,
"Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are -- northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered."
Now during all this time, other kings were warring with each other, and one king in particular was moving to take over the land of Canaan. King Chedorlaomer of Elam was moving quickly and fiercely and ended up taking Abram's nephew, Lot as captive. Abram sprung into action and armed not only his servants to help, but he formed an alliance with others to stop Chedorlaomer as well. So he was able to save Lot and the Canaanites from captivity. King Melchizedek of Salem, a righteous man and priest of God, blessed Abram by saying in Genesis 14:19,20,
"Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand."
Abram was indeed very blessed by the Lord. However, it would take quite some time before his descendants would realize their inheritance for God said to Abram in Genesis 15:13,
"Know certainly that you descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them, and they will afflict them four hundred years."
Through all the trials and tribulations, the covenants made and the blessings received, Abram worshiped God and built alters to Him. In other words, he praised the Lord. This is the theme of Psalms 148:13,
"Let them praise the name of the Lord; for His name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and heaven."
Blessings to all
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