patriarchs and prophets-第32章
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a spirit is contrary to the principles of the gospel。 While Christ is
dwelling in the heart it is impossible to conceal the light of His presence；
or for that light to grow dim。 On the contrary； it will grow brighter and
brighter as day by day the mists of selfishness and sin that envelop the
soul are dispelled by the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness。
The people of God are His representatives upon the earth； and He intends
that they shall be lights in the moral darkness of this world。 Scattered all
over the country； in the towns； cities； and villages； they are God's
witnesses； the channels through which He will communicate to an unbelieving
world the knowledge of His will and the wonders of His grace。 It is His plan
that all who are partakers of the great salvation shall be missionaries for
Him。 The piety of the Christian constitutes the standard by which worldlings
judge the gospel。 Trials patiently borne； blessings gratefully received；
meekness； kindness； mercy； and love； habitually exhibited； are the lights
that shine forth in the character before the world； revealing the contrast
with the darkness that comes of the selfishness of the natural heart。
Rich in faith； noble in generosity； unfaltering in obedience； and humble in
the simplicity of his pilgrim life； Abraham was also wise in diplomacy and
brave and skillful in war。 Notwithstanding he was known as the teacher of a
new religion； three royal brothers； rulers of the Amorite plains in which he
dwelt； manifested their friendship by inviting him to enter into an alliance
with them for greater security； for the country was filled with violence and
oppression。 An occasion soon arose for him to avail himself of this
alliance。
Chedorlaomer； king of Elam； had invaded Canaan fourteen years before； and
made it tributary to him。 Several of the princes now revolted； and the
Elamite king； with four allies； again marched into the country to reduce
them to submission。 Five kings of Canaan joined their forces and met the
invaders in the vale of Siddim； but only to be completely overthrown。 A
large
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part of the army was cut to pieces； and those who escaped fled for safety to
the mountains。 The victors plundered the cities of the plain and departed
with rich spoil and many captives； among whom were Lot and his family。
Abraham； dwelling in peace in the oak groves at Mamre； learned from one of
the fugitives the story of the battle and the calamity that had befallen his
nephew。 He had cherished no unkind memory of Lot's ingratitude。 All his
affection for him was awakened； and he determined that he should be rescued。
Seeking； first of all； divine counsel； Abraham prepared for war。 From his
own encampment he summoned three hundred and eighteen trained servants； men
trained in the fear of God； in the service of their master； and in the
practice of arms。 His confederates； Mamre； Eschol； and Aner； joined him with
their bands； and together they started in pursuit of the invaders。 The
Elamites and their allies had encamped at Dan； on the northern border of
Canaan。 Flushed with victory； and having no fear of an assault from their
vanquished foes； they had given themselves up to revealing。 The patriarch
divided his force so as to approach from different。 directions； and came
upon the encampment by night。 His attack； so vigorous and unexpected；
resulted in speedy victory。 The king of Elam was slain and his
panic…stricken forces were utterly routed。 Lot and his family； with all the
prisoners and their goods； were recovered； and a rich booty fell into the
hands of the victors。 To Abraham； under God； the triumph was due。 The
worshiper of Jehovah had not only rendered a great service to the country；
but had proved himself a man of valor。 It was seen that righteousness is not
cowardice； and that Abraham's religion made him courageous in maintaining
the right and defending the oppressed。 His heroic act gave him a widespread
influence among the surrounding tribes。 On his return； the king of Sodom
came out with his retinue to honor the conqueror。 He bade him take the
goods； begging only that the prisoners should be restored。 By the usage of
war； the spoils belonged to the conquerors； but Abraham had undertaken this
expedition with no purpose of gain； and he refused to take advantage of the
unfortunate； only stipulating that his confederates should receive the
portion to which they entitled。
Few； if subjected to such a test； would have shown themselves as noble as
did Abraham。 Few would have resisted the temptation
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to secure so rich a booty。 His example is a rebuke to self…seeking；
mercenary spirits。 Abraham regarded the claims of justice and humanity。 His
conduct illustrates the inspired maxim； 〃Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself。〃 Leviticus 19：18； 〃I have lifted up my hand；〃 he said； 〃unto the
Lord； the most high God； the possessor of heaven and earth； that I will not
take from a thread even to a shoe latchet； and that I will not take anything
that is thine； lest thou shouldest say； I have made Abram rich。〃 He would
give them no occasion to think that he had engaged in warfare for the sake
of gain； or to attribute his prosperity to their gifts or favor。 God had
promised to bless Abraham； and to Him the glory should be ascribed。
Another who came out to welcome the victorious patriarch was Melchizedek；
king of Salem； who brought forth bread and wine for the refreshment of his
army。 As 〃priest of the most high God；〃 he pronounced a blessing upon
Abraham； and gave thanks to the Lord； who had wrought so great a deliverance
by his servant。 And Abraham 〃gave him tithes of all。〃
Abraham gladly returned to his tents and his flocks； but his mind was
disturbed by harassing thoughts。 He had been a man of peace； so far as
possible shunning enmity and strife； and with horror he recalled the scene
of carnage he had witnessed。 But the nations whose forces he had defeated
would doubtless renew the invasion of Canaan； and make him the special
object of their vengeance。 Becoming thus involved in national quarrels； the
peaceful quiet of his life would be broken。 Furthermore； he had not entered
upon the possession of Canaan； nor could he now hope for an heir； to whom
the promise might be fulfilled。
In a vision of the night the divine Voice was again heard。 〃Fear not；
Abram；〃 were the words of the Prince of princes； 〃I am thy shield； and thy
exceeding great reward。〃 But his mind was so oppressed by forebodings that
he could not now grasp the promise with unquestioning confidence as
heretofore。 He prayed for some tangible evidence that it would be fulfilled。
And how was the covenant promise to be realized； while the gift of a son was
withheld？ 〃What wilt thou give me；〃 he said； 〃seeing I go childless？〃 〃And；
lo； one born in my house is mine heir。〃 He proposed to make his trusty
servant Eliezer his son by adoption； and the inheritor of his possessions。
But he was assured that a
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child of his own was to be his heir。 Then he was led outside his tent； and
told to look up to the unnumbered stars glittering in the heavens； and as he
did so； the words were spoken； 〃So shall thy seed be。〃 〃Abraham believed
God； and it was counted unto him for righteousness。 〃Romans 4：3。
Still the patriarch begged for some visible token as a confirmation of his
faith and as an evidence to after…generations that God's gracious purposes
toward them would be accomplished。 The Lord condescended to enter into a
covenant with His servant； employing such forms as were customary among men
for the ratification of a solemn engagement。 By divine direction； Abraham
sacrificed a heifer； a she…goat； and a ram； each three years old； dividing
the bodies and laying the pieces a little distance apart。 To these he added
a turtledove and a young pigeon； which； however； were not divided。 This
being done； he reverently passed between the parts of the sacrifice； making
a solemn vow to God of perpetual obedience。 Watchful and steadfast； he
remained beside the carcasses till the going
