_These made war_ THE FIRST WAR ON RECORD I. AS TO ITS MOTIVES. 1. Ambition. 2. Plunder. 3. The desire to recover lost sovereignty. II. AS TO THE CONDITIONS OF ITS SUCCESS. From the failure of human foresight, and the endless complications of events, it may happen that the battle is not always... [ Continue Reading ]
_When Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants_ ABRAM AS A WARRIOR I. IN THE CAUSE OF MAN. 1. The sacredness of natural affection. 2. The noble generosity which forgets the faults of friends or kindred in their distress. 3. The heroism which sacrifices self... [ Continue Reading ]
_Return from the slaughter_ I. THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN. Abram returning from the subjugation of the kings, accompanied with Lot, whom he had rescued, and laden with spoils of war. 1. The aged chieftain, Abram, 83 years of age; hale, vigorous, victorious. Not always that man’s return from the late e... [ Continue Reading ]
_Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine_ THE NARRATIVE OF MELCHIZEDEK I. CONSIDER THE HISTORICAL FACTS OF THIS NARRATIVE. 1. Melchizedek makes his appearance at the close of the first war recorded in the annals of the human race. Abraham was on his journey home from the rescue of... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will not take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldst say, I have made Abram rich_ THE BELIEVER’S SUPERIORITY TO THE WORLD This superiority to the world may be manifested in various ways--as in the case of Abram. I. BY REFUSING TO INSIST UPON LAWFUL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES. 1. When it brings... [ Continue Reading ]