Late one summer evening in Broken Bow, Nebraska, a weary truck driver pulled his rig into an all-night truck stop. The waitress had just served him when three tough looking, leather jacketed motorcyclists - of the Hell’s Angels type - decided to give him a hard time. Not only did they verbally abuse him, one grabbed the hamburger off his plate, another took a handful of his French fries, and the third picked up his coffee and began to drink it.
The trucker calmly rose, picked up his check, walked to the front of the room, put the check and his money on the cash register, and went out the door. The waitress followed him to put the money in the till and stood watching out the door as the big truck drove away into the night.
When she returned, one of the bikers said to her, "Well, he’s not much of a man, is he?"
She replied, "I reckon not and he sure wasn’t much of a truck driver either. He just ran over three motorcycles on his way out of the parking lot."
Aw, sweet revenge. We’ve all desired it at some point in our life. We love to see the bad guys get his. That’s why on most Monday nights 3.5 million people are watch pro-wrestling. They watch to see if the good guy will finally come out on top over the bad guy. By the way, if you are a closet wrestling fan see me after church. Not so I can chastise you. I want to know what you thought of that last match.
When it comes to getting even the Bible is very clear on the matter. We read “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord.”
(Romans 12:19) It says “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”
( 1 Thessalonians 5:15) It says “If the godly give in to the wicked, it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.” (Proverbs 25:26) God realized if we try to take revenge, if we try to pay back the evil of others with revenge, then we could become spiritually polluted and muddied. Because the source of our vengeance may be bitterness.
Bitterness can be a dangerous symptom to deal with. Like the truck driver hitting the bikes, the bikes were destroyed but at what cost to the truck? How much damage was done to the bumper, tires, or undercarriage? Proverbs 14:10 reads “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.”
There is a joy to your revenge and bitterness that no one will understand but you. But there is damage done to your spirit that no one will experience but you. As we continue our journey with Abram we will see an opportunity for him to experience bitterness or faith in God to extract revenge.
Remember from last week that Abram had left everything behind to go to the land of Canaan, the land promised to him by God. All was going well until a famine struck. In panic Abram turned from God and looked to Egypt for assistance. He told a half truth about his wife and she ended in the Pharaoh’s household. Curses began to fall upon the Pharaoh’s household and he discovered the truth about Sari. He sent Abram on his way back out of Egypt with more possessions than what he had originally. Abram returned to where he had quit following God and worshiped him at one of the altars he had built. Things seemed to be back on track when a problem arose.
Lot also had become wealthy. Abram possibly decided to share his fortune with him. Therefore, Lot also had flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many servants.
Coming out of the famine, the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. Disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot.
So Abram sought to solve this problem and gave us our first lesson
In conflict, always take the high road.
Gen 13:8-12 “Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”
Lot had become an orphan when his father died. Abram’s father took responsibility for him until his death. When Abram left to follow God’s calling, Lot was an adult man. But Abram had compassion and allowed him to come on his journey. This was in direct opposition to God’s command to “Leave your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.”
Everything Lot possessed was because of Abram. Abram could have settled the dispute by laying claim to all that Lot possessed. He simply could have taken it back. Remember, Abram is the patriarch, or head of household. Or he could have sent Lot and his stuff packing in the direction he decided.
But his greatest concern was to bring harmony to the family. Instead of anger and bitterness spilling over into conflict, he chose to allow Lot the opportunity to split the land with him. God had promised this land to Abram and his descendants. That would not have included Lot. So he decided to allow God to settle this dispute in His timing using His method. Even if that meant separating from someone who he was probably close to.
So Lot made his choice and in doing so took advantage of the one who had cared for him. This gives us our next lesson.
When exploited, be gracious.
Genesis 13:10-12 “Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain.”
The Bible says that Lot took a long look at the Jordan Valley, much the same way as Eve took a long look at the forbidden fruit. Lot noticed the resemblance to Egypt, which represents the world. It represented an easier lifestyle. He reflected on the good times and wealth that was found in Egypt. He looked at the pagan cities that lined the Jordan Valley and realized the potential for more wealth. So he chose it.
He did not choose to share any of the well watered land with his uncle. He could have moved either north or south, sharing the Jordan Valley. But rather he chose to move east taking the entire valley, leaving Abram to settle in the land that had been ravished by famine.
If Abram was bitter he had every right to be so. He witnessed his father adopt this man as a boy when Lot’s father died. After Abram’s father died he cared for him, provided for him, and protected him. But now that Lot was all grown-up it seemed he no longer needed good ole’ Uncle Abram. Lot was wealthy now and totally independent.
Many of us have felt that sting. We have invested in someone’s life a lot of energy. And when they decide we are no longer needed we suffer the pain of their rejection. Perhaps we have even entertained the thoughts of one day, when being needed again, we can reject them. This is the root of bitterness. Abram had every right to entertain this notion when some news reached his ears.
The land where Lot had chosen to live was invaded by 4 kingdoms and was captured. Gen 14:11-12 reads “The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned.”
Be careful where your joy comes from.
Proverbs 14:10 “Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.”
There is a certain joy that comes with watching a person who has done wrong have something bad happen to them. We have all experienced that joy.
Abram could simply shake his head and say “He brought this disaster upon himself.” Actually Abram was a bit responsible for Lot’s predicament. It would be easy for Abram to forget he showed Lot the easy lifestyle of Egypt by taking him there. And although he was being gracious, he could forget that he gave Lot the opportunity to make a bad decision rather than making the right decision for him. He could find great joy in imagining how Lot wishes now that he had not been so foolish.
He could have placed this event on God’s plate. God allowed this to happen, not only to punish Lot, but to allow Abram to have the prime real-estate that should have been his anyway. “Good things come to those who wait.”
So how do we know if there is bitterness in our hearts? We will know because we will find joy in the suffering of those who have hurt us. Rather than praying for them we seek God’s promise that vengeance will be meted out against them. They must pay but no matter how bad it gets for them, it’s never enough. The Bible describes bitterness as a root. That joy of bitterness acts like water on a root and bitterness will grow.
If Abram is experiencing this joy in his heart, Lot is in a lot of trouble.
Be careful not to become corrupted.
Hebrews 12:15 “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
Look at the dangers that presented themselves to Abram if he reacted in bitterness. He could have endangered the grace of God from being poured out on his life. His failure to assist his nephew could have resulted in him having a guilty conscience for not rescuing him. His testimony today would not have been as impact filled.
A root lies underground hidden from the eye and can become a problem. One morning you wake up to take a shower. The water is only a trickle because roots have made their way into the pipes and restricted the flow of water.
As you go outside you notice your house has begin to lean because roots have contributed to the depletion of soil moisture under the foundation of your house, causing it to subside.
Walking down your driveway, you notice that the cement is cracked as roots have begun to push upwards.
Making your way into the yard for a better look, you stumble and fall due to a growth that is suddenly exposed. You discover it is an exposed root.
As you steady yourself against a tree you stare in horror as the free falls onto your house. It seems that the roots have wrapped around the base of its own tree. This has restricted the flow of water and nutrients up and down the trunk, causing it to weaken. This is not a good day.
A root of bitterness can trouble us the same way. It can restrict the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It can cause us to be unstable in our Christian walk. We can find the sure foundation of our faith leaning ever so slight. It can cause us to stumble and fall in our daily lives. We can find our access to God restricted and his grace withheld. It is extremely important that we deal with any root of bitterness in our lives.
Be careful of the fruit you bare.
Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.”
If Abram decided to rescue Lot, he would not only have to push aside any bitter feelings but also any anger. In rescuing Lot he would have to understand that he would need to release Lot to follow his own plan and could not force Lot to change.
Roots produce sprigs. Sprigs grow into plants. Plants produce fruit. The type of fruit is dependent on the root. So in this scripture we read a list of the fruits that the root of bitterness produces. When someone that has hurt you comes to mind are you filled with rage or gentleness? Are you filled with anger or peace? Do you speak harsh words about them or do you speak kindly of them? Do you speak words of slander or words of goodness? Do you seek revenge through evil behavior or practice self-control?
Abram had a right to be bitter. He had a right to be angry with Lot. And I am sure that he could justify in his own mind writing Lot off and allowing him to be carted away.
When needed, be there.
Genesis 14: 14, 16“When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household.
Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.” (Genesis 14:14-16)
Notice the number of fighting men that Abram had, 318 trained men. He had left his homeland with 300 men, women, and children. Now we see the growth and blessings that God has bestowed upon him. Abram is blessed but Lot is in trouble. Abram had no need for bitterness toward Lot because Abram was not into the comparison game. He was content with what God had done for him and not concerned for what Lot may have done against him.
Lot needed him and he was there. He proved to have no root of bitterness in his heart. He had brought Lot with him to care for him and he proved himself faithful to the care of Lot. He did not rescue Lot with any sort of conditions. In fact, Lot would return to Sodom.
In his faithfulness Abram would meet a great and very mysterious man.
When faithful, expect the wonderful.
Genesis 14:18-20 “And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine.
Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.’ Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.”
Who was this Melchizedek? Listen to how the writer of Hebrews describes him. “This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!” (Hebrews 7:1-4)
It’s hard to deny who this “priest forever” is. There I only one who fits this description. If Abram had allowed bitterness to interfere with his decision to rescue Lot, this encounter would not have happened. When we remove bitterness from our lives, we can encounter Jesus on a daily bases.
Let me leave you with this last verse. James 3:14 “But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying.”
We can not justify our bitterness. We can not try to convince ourselves or others that we have the right to be bitter. If you have root problems in your yard and you try to fix them yourself you run the risk of killing the plant. We need to call a specialist. Only the Holy Spirit can deal with the root of bitterness problem.
