Blessing by Association Part 2
In Genesis 14 we run into two tests in the life of
Abraham. A test is always related to a volitional decision. So one of the things
we are paying attention to as we go through the life of Abraham is, where do we
find situations where Abraham has to make a choice to apply doctrine? As we see
this his life just sort of unfolds. Each of these episodes in his life from
Genesis 12 through 24 relate to Abraham having to make some sort of decision
related to something that God has promised him, something that God has told
him, and he has to apply doctrine. Within the framework of the Bible this
ultimately goes down to the Abrahamic covenant and the threefold promise that
God makes to Abraham there in terms of land seed, and blessing. Notice that
there is a promise, a test, and a reiteration of promises. So that tells us as
believers that the key elements in the Christian life is to learn those
promises, provisions and principles that God has given us because that is what
we are tested on on a daily basis. We are not going to keep our mental attitude
strong and sharp and firm if we think that we can just be in Bible class once
every now and then. We can’t be in class every day but we need to be listening
to the Word every day. We have to do that so that the mind keeps focused on the
Word of God as the priority. We are barraged day in and day out by human
viewpoint. Most believers delude themselves into thinking that we really have
arrived at a level of knowledge where we are doing okay. That fact is that
until we are absent from the body and face to face with the Lord, and the sin
nature is no longer present, that is not true. We need that constant reminder
because the wiles of the devil are extremely subtle and deceptive and it is
very easy for us to get into complacency and self-sufficiency.
Chapter fourteen is a test related
to the blessing provision in the Abrahamic covenant where God commanded Abraham
to be a blessing to those around him. That is true of the church age as well
where we are to be a blessing to those around us. The chapter revolves around
two tests and both of them are related to Abraham fulfilling that command to be
a blessing. Whenever we have a volitional decision that relates to application
of doctrine, that is a test. Abraham’s first test is covered in the first 17
verses, and this has to do with the invasion of the four kings from the east.
Genesis 14:12, “And they took Lot,
Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.” Lot
was an extremely wealthy businessman, as Abraham was.
Then we come to Abraham’s test in
verse 13, “And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for
he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of
Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. And when Abram heard that his
brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own
house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.” Abraham is
living in Hebron at this time, just south west of Salem, and he has allied
himself with some Amorites. Notice here that he is identified as “Abram the
Hebrew.” This is the first reference to Hebrews. In the Old Testament the Jews
are rarely referred to as Hebrews, they are referred to as the sons of Israel.
There was another group of people in the ancient world that were known as the
Apiru who seem to have been some kind of marauding band of Bedouins. It is
possible that they may have been identified with the Amalekites. But the term
“Hebrew” is probably derived from Abraham’s ancestor Eber, but there was a
certain similarity of sound between Hebrew and Apiru and so the Jews did not
like to be identified as Hebrews because they didn’t want to be confused with
the Apiru who brought much trouble and devastation in the ancient world. This
is the first time we have Abraham identified as “the Hebrew” which indicates he
is well known, and has a stature in his community and in the world at that time
where he is known by those around him. So he is found now in close association
with three Amorite brothers and they are going to aid him in the protection of
the land.
Abraham has a choice at this time.
When he hears that Lot has been taken captive he could just say it was tough
luck and that there was not a whole lot he could do. So he has a test at this
point. It is related to the mandate of God, and the question: Am I going to be
a blessing to those around me or not? So he makes the decision based o the
doctrine in his soul and based on the moral courage that the doctrine has given
him, to gather his men together, along with the servants of his
allies—Mamre and his two brothers—and they go after this
experienced army that has just wreaked havoc all the way through the ancient
world. They make a decision. He takes his servants who, it will be noticed,
were trained. They went in pursuit as far as Dan, but at this time there was no
Dan. Dan is a term that is applied to the northern part of the Promised Land
after the Jews came in and took the land after the conquest. The armies meet at
the site of Hobah. The battle is described in verse 15, “And he divided himself
against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them
unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.” So once he catches up with
them there is a night assault. He divides up his forces and probably hit them
from at least two sides, if not from three, and with the night attack and
surprise on his side, even though the opposition forces outnumbered him, he was
able to rout them. Verse 16, “And he brought back all the goods, and also
brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the
people.” Imagine all the plunder that these armies had amassed going through
all these various battles. It must have been a tremendous sight, and Abraham
comes along and rescues all of it. He is functioning as a blessing to the
ancient world. This takes us right back to Genesis 12:2, “…and you shall be a
blessing.” So Abraham is passing this test.
But the test then turns into a
second test. This is what we often find happens in our own spiritual life. We
get in one set of circumstances where we are forced to make a decision as to
whether or not we will apply the Word or not. We apply the Word and as a result
of application of the Word we then move into another test. Because of what
Abraham had done in defeating these enemies he now moves into another form of
the blessing by association test.
1)
Definition:
Blessing by association is the extension of benefits of divine blessing to
those in the periphery of either a) a Jew, or b) a Christian. Therefore it is a
consequence of divine grace. It is undeserved and unearned but nevertheless
there are those who receive the overflow of blessing.
2)
Certain
logistical blessings of God go to all Jews wherever they are on the basis of
the Abrahamic covenant. The Jewish race is going to continue down throughout
history because God has certain promises that He has made to Abraham that have
never yet been fulfilled. The provisions of the Abrahamic covenant are still in
effect.
3)
Blessing by
association in relation to Christians is the result of God’s blessing provision
or protection for believers, which overflows to those in his periphery. So it
is a different dynamic functioning for church age believers. So for the church
age believer the basis for blessing differs because it is a different contract.
We are not under the Abrahamic covenant; we are beneficiaries of the new
covenant. The believer receives blessing from God on the basis of grace because
he has the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. As we advance and mature then
God distributes these blessings, and when God distributes these blessings to
the maturing believer there is always going to be benefits to those around him.
4)
The biblical
basis for understanding this is seen in two cases, both in Genesis: the
provision of the Abrahamic covenant in Genesis 12:2, and the episode on Genesis
18.
5)
Blessing by
association may also extend to historical heritage. An example is in 1 Kings
11:12 after Solomon has been so disobedient to the Lord and is told that the kingdom
would be torn away from him. “Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for
David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.” There
is historical heritage blessing by association. The same kind of thing is seen
in the history of Western Europe. The Reformation heritage has extended from
the early part of the sixteenth century down through the twentieth century in
providing stable institutions. What we have to recognize is that divine
blessing is based on grace, never on works, and the blessing is based upon the
righteousness we possess from imputed righteousness. Blessing by association in
the church age is an extension of John 13:34, 35—through the operation of
impersonal love for all mankind. Romans 12:14, “Bless them which persecute you:
bless, and curse not.”
So what we see in these two episodes
in Genesis 14 is that Abraham understands that he is to be a blessing to those
around him. The principle is to love your neighbor as yourself.