by Jon Saboe
Melchiz'edek’s eyes flickered towards King Bera, and then refocused themselves on Abram’s face. As if King Bera had said nothing, he continued where his previous sentence had been interrupted.
“…And we honor above all else the Creator who has delivered your enemies into your hands.”
King Bera became incensed at this stranger’s irreverence. Although Melchiz'edek had ignored him, he had obviously heard what the King had said and used it in the remainder of his greeting. King Bera stepped from his chariot and headed straight for the two men who were acting like long lost friends.
Abram and Melchiz'edek were oblivious to the King’s approach as Abram reached out to this man who offered a connection with Shem and the Creator. Tears of joy and excitement threatened to overflow Abram’s eyes as he wrapped his arms around Melchiz'edek in a long, powerful embrace which was returned enthusiastically.
“Ever since I heard your master speak of the Creator,” Abram said in a half-whisper, his throat tightening, “I have determined to learn of Him and seek His will. It has been a lonely journey, but He has always guided and protected me.”
Melchiz'edek nodded, his eyes closed as he rested his chin on Abram’s shoulder.
“And Shem has spoken constantly of you since his return from Ur. He has given me much to share with you.”
King Bera was standing beside them, watching the exchange with contempt. Finally he could take no more, and reached out and grabbed Abram’s arm.
“Abram,” he said loudly. “I have met you here, at your request, to …”
Abram spun away from Melchiz'edek, wrenching his arm from the King’s grasp. He looked first at the offending hand that had grabbed him, and then directly into the King’s face with anger and disdain. It was not a look the King was accustomed to.
“I have just met a man,” Abram began tersely, “who may provide me with knowledge of the Creator, the One whom I seek, and the One whom I serve. My entire life has been devoted to finding His path, and today, after searching for more than seven decades, He has found me, and I will not delay his message another minute.”
Abram’s voice became softer, but the intensity increased.
“No man, not even you, may take precedence over Yahweh, and should you attempt to interfere again, I have more than three-hundred men who have just risked their lives because of your ineptitude at protecting your subjects, and I can assure you that they will not restrain themselves as I have just done.”
King Bera stepped back, infuriated and offended beyond words, yet helpless to respond in the decisive (and deadly) manner which a King would normally reserve for such impudence. The forty men in his entourage nervously fingered their swords, hoping they would not be called upon to avenge their King’s honor.
Abram spoke loudly so that everyone could hear.
“We will establish camp here, tonight. And tomorrow,” he glared at King Bera, “we will complete our business.”
He whirled away from King Bera (without being dismissed) and waved to his men who hastily began breaking out their supplies. He was still grasping Melchiz'edek’s left arm in his right hand. Abram repositioned his grip and began to lead the newcomer towards the place where a small fire was quickly being prepared for him by his men. He spoke quietly to Melchiz'edek as they walked.
“The Creator has made great promises to me,” he said, “But the greatest joys He gives are those which are unexpected.”
He stopped and faced Melchiz'edek.
“You are such a joy.”
They spoke throughout the night, each ecstatic, in an almost boyish way, at meeting the other. Abram was overjoyed at the prospect of learning tangible information about the Creator, and also discovering more about the man, Shem, who had altered his life so significantly. He continually fought back tears as he responded to the entire experience as a gift from the Creator.
Melchiz'edek was equally excited to finally meet the man who, according to Shem, would be the father of all faith, the one selected to establish a new people from whom would arise the coming Seed. Shem had spoken so passionately about this one, and had been very saddened that he was not the one selected to attend this meeting.
They shared stories with each other. Abram told of his adventures while discerning the Creator and how he was still learning to trust Him. Melchiz'edek talked about Shem and his life and family—and how Abram’s great-great-great-grandfather, Peleg, son of Eber, had rescued Shem from his despondent exile in the caves along the northern shores of the Great Sea and renewed Shem’s vision and hope.
But the most exiting event of the night was when Melchiz'edek recited the Creator’s Amar. It was exactly the same as when Shem had given it to Peleg, but with additional information about the descendents of Noah and their settlements. It also told of how the Creator had instigated the Great Awakening—and why he had done so.
Abram listened with rapt attention, committing every word to memory, as he heard for the first time the details of the Creator’s plan: The origin of the universe, the formation of life, the perfection of the original creation—and the agony of the first man’s disobedience.
Melchiz'edek explained in more detail the promise and meaning of the Coming Seed, and Abram told Melchiz'edek more about the promises the Creator had given him.
As morning came, they were overwhelmed with the realization that this meeting was the culmination of a plan that the Creator had set in motion ever since the forces of evil had attempted to destroy the knowledge of Yahweh—and the Seed—by attacking Shem and his followers and forcing them into exile. As Abram accepted the message of the Zeh-ra, he understood more than ever how the Creator was always able to keep his promises—even in the face of impossible odds and contrary situations. Although men could abuse their free volition and attempt to thwart His desires, He would always be able to plan around them since His omnipotence included knowledge of the future.
The message of the Seed had been attacked and driven, literally, underground. It had then been discovered by “accident” and restored unwittingly by Peleg, who was then attacked and imprisoned as the forces of the Serpent tried again to obliterate it.
Yet now it was being delivered to Abram, and as he marveled at the Creator, he found another area of his mind where doubts began to diminish. The Creator had promised that his descendants would be like the grains of sand on the seashore, or like the number of stars in the heavens. At that time, he had great difficulty believing this, since he and Sarai still had no children; but now as he pondered the miracle of Melchiz'edek’s message, he began to realize that anything was possible. He also noted that, if the Creator’s promise was true, then there must be a great many more stars in the heavens than could be seen by human sight.
Early the next morning, King Bera moved slowly towards Abram’s campfire, which had long since burnt itself out. He was somewhat subdued since his confrontation with Abram the previous evening, and, although he was still quite vexed at the way he had been treated, he did not wish to risk the anger of Abram and his men while he was so outnumbered—and so far from his city. He decided he would make Abram a generous offer as a gesture of goodwill.
When he arrived, he was surprised, and somewhat irritated, to find that Abram and Melchiz'edek were still awake and talking softly, resting on blankets and looking up at the brightening sky. King Bera scuffed his feet slightly to alert them, and then proceeded until he was standing directly in front of the two men. He saw Abram’s startled reaction to the unexpected intrusion, and hurriedly squatted down so as to be less imposing. He noticed that, somehow, Abram was now holding a small sword, so he quickly began to speak.
“Master Abram,” he began in a voice that was meant to be humble, yet managed to sound more effeminate than anything else. “I apologize for this early intrusion, yet I must be returning to Sodom as soon as possible. I know we have business to discuss, but I would like to present you with an offer which, I hope, will both demonstrate my tremendous gratitude for your service, and als
o give you the opportunity to think more highly of me.”
King Bera didn’t know why, but the way in which Abram looked at him, as if he were something despicable, bothered him greatly. But he was more annoyed at himself (and concerned) that he even allowed Abram’s opinion to bother him.
Abram’s response did nothing to help. He simply looked up into King Bera’s face with the exasperated look that one reserves for an annoying child, and quietly raised his eyebrows as if to say, “Yes?”
King Bera stammered slightly, then began.
“I should like to offer you all of the spoils which you and your men rescued for me. All of the wealth, precious metals, jewelry, food and tools which you collected in your campaign I give to you. All I ask for are my subjects, who will return with me so they may continue to serve in my city.”
He looked expectantly at Abram, knowing that his offer was far more generous than anything Abram might have expected. There was no way anyone could decline it.
Abram rose up on one arm and gave him a look which is only reserved for that which is most detestable.
“King Bera,” Abram began, “You are probably the most vile and deplorable man I know, whose incompetence at protecting his subjects is surpassed only by your vanity and perverse appetites.”
King Bera shifted back on his knees, completely taken aback by Abram’s vicious words. He had been so sure of Abram’s acceptance, and could never have expected anything like this.
Abram sat up and continued.
“I swear before the Creator who owns the heavens and earth that I will accept nothing from you—not even a shoelace. Let no one, including you, ever say that Abram was enriched by King Bera, or that Abram benefited from his association with Sodom.”
He pointed directly at King Bera with his sword.
“Here is my counter offer: You will keep all of the spoils which we have recovered for you, and in exchange, you allow any of your subjects who desire, to return with me. They will be cared for and taught the truth of the Creator, and I will never again be forced to deal with you or your legacy.”
King Bera looked at Abram in shock, yet secretly pleased at this turn of events. He hid both his happiness at the return of his wealth, and also his resentment at the reasons Abram had given.
He nodded slightly and extended his arm to finalize the deal.
“Just one addition,” said Abram, ignoring the arm. “There will be no repayment for the food that my men have eaten, or that eaten by Mamre, his brothers, and their men. Their meals came from your recovered grains.”
King Bera gave another nod and Abram reached out to accept his arm. They locked wrists at the forearm to make the agreement binding, but the King couldn’t help but notice that, after the shake, Abram brushed off his arms as if they had made contact with lice or some other undesirable infestation.
Just before noon, King Bera, along with his entourage, collected all of the spoils and loaded them on to their horses. The King’s chariot was also filled to overflowing, making it very difficult for his horses to pull over the soft ground.
All of the subjects who had been rescued chose to stay with Abram, much to the disappointment of King Bera. He would miss their efforts as he attempted to rebuild his city.
In fact, the only people (other than his entourage) to leave with King Bera were Lot and his family. Nothing could have hurt and angered Abram more. But he had no right to interfere with Lot’s decisions, and, once again, he placed them in the Creator’s care.
Lot’s daughters looked back with tears as they left, and even Lot himself turned around once to wave good-bye. Only Lot’s wife kept her eyes fastened forward as she anticipated her return to the stimulating life that Sodom offered.
Melchiz'edek returned with Abram and his men to the Oak Groves of Mamre. There he visited with Abram and his family for several days, until he announced it was time for him to return to the City of Peace.
As Melchiz'edek prepared to leave, Abram spoke to him, insisting on giving him a parting gift.
“I am a businessman,” he said, “and I have been one since my youth. Although I left the world of commerce several years ago, I have always held a certain principle which I will never discard.”
Melchiz'edek looked at Abram, unsure of what was coming next.
“Whenever I have benefited from a transaction, or whenever I have obtained a product or service which has enhanced my welfare, I have always honored the man or company responsible for that product. This was a practice which the founder of my family’s business, Reu, began, and involves returning a percentage, or tithe, of the resulting profits. He established this during his initial franchising into Ur, and my father always insisted upon maintaining that tradition.”
Melchiz'edek began to slowly sense what Abram had in mind.
“As such,” Abram continued, “I have determined that your visit and message constitutes a service for which I could never repay. But since I must acknowledge that all that I own, and all that I have been blessed with, comes from the Creator, I must now determine where I shall allocate my tithe.”
Before Melchiz'edek could protest, Abram cut him off.
“I therefore bequeath unto you one tenth of all of my possessions, including my servants who will accompany you back to the City of Peace. I have nothing, that I have not received from Yahweh, and now that I have met His emissary, it is only right that I should honor him with the portion that is due.”
Abram motioned to servants who approached with sacks filled with grain, jewelry, wool, and selections of currency from the surrounding regions. These were some of the servants who would be accompanying Melchiz'edek. Abram was pleased that the number of volunteers had actually been more than ten percent.
Sounds of bleating and lowing came from behind as the rest of the servants brought groups of sheep, oxen, cattle, and donkeys. The pack animals carried even larger sacks on their backs which were also filled with grain and other valuables.
Melchiz'edek was overwhelmed but could say nothing. As he took in the enormity of the gift, he slowly began to realize just how wealthy Abram truly was. If all of this was just a tenth…?
Even as he desired to refuse Abram’s gift, he knew that he could never dishonor such a gesture. As with all gifts, which ultimately come from the Creator, he had no choice other than to humbly accept it.
Finally, Melchiz'edek spoke.
“I am indeed honored by your gift, and by the heart that gives it. May the Creator bless you and your family one hundred-fold as you grow in your knowledge of Him—and of His promises.”
Abram grasped Melchiz'edek’s arm and pulled him in for one final embrace.
“Use this gift to bless your people,” he said, “as they continue to bless the world with the message of the Creator and His Seed.”
There were several more embraces—and more tears—as Melchiz'edek said his farewells to Sarai and the rest of Abram’s household. And although Abram and Sarai still had no children of their own, Melchiz'edek knew that a child would someday be theirs.And he hoped to come this way again to see for himself—if he was still alive.
Eventually Melchiz'edek and his newly acquired caravan disappeared over the horizon, while Abram stood with his arm around Sarai, wondering at all that had occurred. There was something very special and very unusual about this Melchiz'edek. He was much more than just a messenger for Shem—and more than a man sharing the knowledge of the Creator. He seemed to have the mind of the Creator within him.
Later that night, as Abram walked alone under the stars, he listened intently in case the Creator had something to say to him. Eventually he realized that no audible message was forthcoming, but he soon became aware of a powerful truth which descended upon him; overwhelming him like a pounding rainfall.
The stewardship of the Creator’s Amar had been handed to him. The people of the City of Peace would do their part, but soon the Creator would make himself known by His involvement with those who would be Abram’s descendents.
Abram recited the Amar one more time in his mind, realizing that soon he would be called upon to add to it. He had no children, yet, but he knew that someday there would be at least one. And then grandchildren and great-grandchildren—and he determined that each one would be taught the Creator’s words exactly as he had received them.
He realized, as he thought of the Creator’s promise, that he was beginning a new nation. He had never felt as if he belonged to the people of his home city; nor had he ever felt at home in any of the cultures of this world. He could never call himself a Chaldean—or a Sumerian. And he could never align himself with any of the peoples or “kings” of this new region.
The Creator was establishing a special nation—set apart from the rest of the world.
He looked up at the stars and pondered.
Peleg, son of Eber.
According to Melchiz'edek’s account, Eber had left his home city in response to the Creator’s command. Abram meditated for several minutes on all that he had learned and slowly came to a decision:
From this day forward, his family and their descendants would be forever known as the People of Eber.
He studied the glittering heavens and suddenly knew—beyond any possible doubt, beyond any conceivable thought to the contrary; and with the same certainty that he was alive, or that the sun would return the next day—knew that the number of stars he could see with his eyes was just a tiny fraction of the number that the Creator had actually made—and that filled His universe.
Chapter 41
Passage
“Only those deeds, done in the service of the Creator, will last.”