Jacob Chanikuzhy

According to Bertrand Russell, “War does not determine who is right, only who is left.” The ones left after the war may not always be the right ones. However, in the case of the first war ever fought in the Hebrew Scriptures, those who were finally left victorious were also those who were right (14:17). The final phase of the first war in the OT, described in Genesis 14, was fought under the leadership of Abram.

If kings and rulers normally wage war to expand their territory and increase their wealth, it was not so in the case of Abram. Abram did not initiate any fight; he was forced into a war for the sake of his nephew Lot. Lot was a resident in the plains of Jordan. Four foreign kings invaded and defeated it. Lot and his entire household were captured; his possessions plundered; livestock taken.

Abram was informed of the tragic fate of Lot. Abram set out against the victorious army. He had only 318 fighters with him. He divided his small band of people into smaller groups. At night his men made a multipronged attack on their enemies and defeated them. Lot was rescued and all his men and other possessions were regained. Thus, the very first and last armed attack of Abram was to rescue his nephew and to regain his lost property.

In fact, there had been quarrels between the servants of Lot and Abram. But, the little conflict with his nephew did not prevent Abram from helping Lot in his need. Abram was great enough to forget whatever wounds he suffered from Lot. The man power Abram had was too small to encounter the fighters of four kings. Still Abram did not make it an excuse not to fight for Lot. When Abram bravely attacked the mighty enemy with his tiny group to save Lot, God was on the side of Abram and granted him victory.

Something very intriguing happened when Abram was on his way back home after the battle. Melchizedek, the king and priest of Salem, offered him bread and wine. Who was Melchizedek? As Abram himself honoured him, he must have been greater than Abram. He is extolled in highest terms in the NT in the Letter to the Hebrews. Since the name of his parents and genealogy are not given, and since nothing about his birth and death is narrated in the Scriptures, he is presented as a type of Jesus, the eternal Son of God. Some Christian writers in the past considered the apparition of Melchizedek as the appearance of Jesus Himself.

It is worthy to note that it was when Abram returned after a fight that he was blessed by Melchizedek. The name “Melchizedek” could be explained as “the king of righteousness. The meaning of the name of his kingdom “Salem” is indicative of peace. Thus, he is the king of peace and righteousness. The king of peace and righteousness visited, honoured, taken care of and blessed Abram when Abram made a just and honourable fight. The fight of Abram was remarkable because he had no selfish interests. He was only motivated by his love and concern for Lot. Abram had even risked his life for the rescue of his nephew. Abram also did not make unlawful gains through his adventure.

The fact that even such a peaceable man as Abram was dragged into a battle reminds us that no righteous person in this world can avoid some kind of fight against injustice if he is to keep a clear conscience. Abram had not been personally injured and his personal rights had not been violated by the invading army. But the dignity and rights of his nephew were seriously violated. Now, Abram fights for his nephew and restores his freedom and regains his property. In today’s world many hesitate to come out openly against injustices, discriminations and exploitations perpetuated by the wealthy and powerful either because they are afraid of the powers of the enemy or because the atrocities of the enemy don’t affect them personally although it adversely affects many of their brethren. We become truly the children of Abram if we risk our lives to fight a just battle to restore the dignity and rights of the discriminated, captured and exploited brothers and sisters, and groups and communities. Though we may be a small group, the victory is on our side as God is the God of the helpless and the oppressed. It is such fighters that Jesus is waiting for to refresh and nourish, honour and bless just as Melchizedek did.