Nougat 14

Oftentimes, when greeted by others in asked, ‘How are you’, my response is simple. I say ‘I’m blessed and blessing.’ For some folks, this is a presumptuous answer, as they feel I’m not authorized to bless others. In my understanding however, we’re all qualified as children of God to do so. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat for example.

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor[a] of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:17-20 ESV

Blessed Blesser

We’ve looked at this issue of giving to the servant of God, what is due them from a few perspectives, including the reflection on charlatans and the practice of ‘simony’. Some time back, before focusing on this series, we’ve even looked at this Nougat. I’m not trying to belabour a pint, nor beleaguer any of you,but it is so common for individuals to feel that compensating ministers is wrong.

But what of Abram’s witness? Luckily for us, correspondent caught up with him …

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Well, I’d been called by YHWH, the ‘unknown’ God of my father and forefathers to complete the journey to which my father had been tasked (see Genesis 11:31-31). Recognize that life was rough in those days, and my father had his reasons for stopping. I don’t think he planned to go further – he named that city after my dead brother Haran. In any case, dad died there.

My moving on to the unknown land simply based on instructions from this ‘unknown’ God was inevitable. And, yes. It was a faith journey. We had no whachumacallits –

– maps, navigation systems…

… yes navigation thingys, except for His Voice, His Promise, and signs He gave along the way.

Although Lot was my dead brother Haran’s son; when YHWH said I’d be a great nation, I thought, in fact I knew that Lot was part of the plan, especially since my wife Serai was unable to have children [see Genesis 11:30]. For, in our time, a nation meant thousands and thousands of people. My wife was barren, so my next thought was carrying that family name through Lot.

I’m not fully sure that Lot was sold in the idea of God. But the blessing idea won him over. Love that boy, but he sure loves wealth. Just give him the idea of easy living – yup, that’s my Lot.

It wasn’t surprising to me that he all but had his men come to war with us, and we eventually parted ways [see Genesis 13:6-11]. Remember, Lot liked nice things, so he chose the ‘good’ land, up near Sodom. I was left with the actual place God was calling me to.

Before long, war broke out in the arable region Lot chose – er, they were a contentious set up there, always fighting, over every little thing.

But this war was different.

This was the war of the independence-seeking Kings. Five of them revolted against the four who’d had them under subjugation. Amidst all that rumbling, my nephew – my father’s only heir when I died – got himself royally and truly captured.

I was known for my peace-loving ways down in Canaan – but that was before my family was at risk. I summoned my warriors, and under God’s (yes, YHWH’s) banner we went. Naturally, well actually it was supernaturally, we won. 318 men against all those kings’ armies. We rescued Lot, his possessions, the womenfolk and other captives. I was elated! I couldn’t find words enough to thank YHWH for our phenomenal victory out there.

Imagine my surprise therefore, when YHWH sent His emissary, the high priest and king, His Royal Highness King Melchizedek my way to bless me.

You heard it right. The Melchizedek, King of Salem, the territory of Peace, brought me, son of Haran – that man who’d not even completed God’s mission – bread and wine, the sign of God’s favour and covenant with man. It was a gift worth far more than all the treasure retrieved in that skirmish with those kings. His blessing was prophetic. I knew I was in the presence of a True servant of the Most High, YHWH, also known as El Elyon.

I didn’t miss a beat. I had won the spoils of war. And while I wanted nothing to do with them, I knew it was the perfect source for giving my thanks to the God Who’d rescued me. In what was to later become tradition and Canon, I claimed a tithe, that is 10%, and prayed King Melchizedek to receive it as my offering.

– so let me understand this. This Melchizedek fellow didn’t ask you for payment in return for the blessing?

No. I blessed him out of respect for YHWH’s bountiful blessings to me. Don’t you all practice that in your era? Barbaric.

– yes we do. Sorry for interrupting. Please carry on.

Right.

For me, it didn’t matter that as King, His Royal Highness Melchizedek of Salem had no need for the treasure. Neither did the five kings. Lot needed a bit to start over, but me giving him the tithe was an act of worship – not of Melchizedek, but unto God.

That’s the reason I tithe. You should try it too. One tenth of all, yes I said all your possession to the priest of the Most High as an act of worship.

In so doing, we bless the Blesser, YHWH. Got it?

Thanks for listening to my story. I’ve got some more praises to give her in Heaven. See you here soon?

– yes, I hope so. Thanks Fr Abram. Say hello to the other saints for me.

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Got it? No other witnesses needed? Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ