The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast

Genesis 14:17-24 

It is often the case for a believer to encounter a great temptation and/or danger after winning "a battle".  Abraham experienced a miraculous victory over a powerful four-king coalition from the East (which had just defeated a five-king confederation near the Dead Sea).  He outrageously rescued Lot from captivity, but as he was returning home from the physical battle, he was unexpectedly faced with a spiritual battle.  He was tempted with great wealth and acclaim by the King of Sodom.

But, in God's providence, Abraham first encountered "the King of Salem" (meaning "Peace"), who is also called "Melchizedek," which means "King of righteousness"!  This mysterious man (the pre-incarnate Christ?) brought bread and wine (first mention of these elements in Scripture) for Abraham and his men.  Melchizedek was "the Priest of the Most High God" - the very first Priest mentioned in Scripture!  

We discuss 5 interesting truths concerning Melchizedek:  His Provision,  His Priesthood, His Proclamation, Abraham's Payment (to Him), and His Person (identity).  This is intriguing, to say the least!

The lesson concludes with a detailed discussion of Abraham's meeting with the King of Sodom (named Bera) and how Abraham (like Christ) resisted temptation!

Genesis 13:5-18

This lesson provides us with a sharp contrast between Uncle Abram and nephew Lot.  Both men had journeyed down to Egypt (out of God's will), but one returned wiser, while the other returned worldlier.  Abram learned his lesson, through Divine chastisement and by way of great humiliation, to walk by faith in God's Word.  He learned not to use circumstances or even self-preservation as his guides (although he would later slip in this area by repeating his sin about Sarah).  Evidently, Lot did not learn any significant spiritual lessons while in Egypt.  When Abram departed Egypt, there was no place for Egypt in his heart.  On the other hand, when Lot left Egypt, he took "Egypt" with him in his heart.

Genesis 12:10-13:4

We continue Abram's journey of faith with God as he traveled from the land of promise (Canaan) to Egypt (picture of the world).  In the situation we discuss in this lesson, we (hopefully) learn from Abram's mistakes and his lie!  The four main divisions of our look at what some would call a "backsliding experience" are: (1) the famine, (2) the falsehood, (3) the failure, and (4) the return to fellowship!

It never pays to step out of God's will by devising our own schemes on how to handle difficult situations.  It never pays to doubt God in times of trials, and self-preservation is never an excuse for disobedience!  Time spent "in Egypt" is wasted time!  These are just some of the important spiritual lessons learned from Abram in this lesson.

Genesis 12:1-9

We begin the spiritual journey of the man called Abram (Abraham).  His walk began where our walk with God begins, which is with God taking the initiative!  God spoke, and it was the revelation from Him that pierced Abram's soul and began to break the hold the world, the flesh, and the devil had over him!  It was the Word of the God of glory that generated a response from Abram and began leading him down the path to eternal salvation.  It is fitting that God began His summons to Abram with a call to separation!  He was not only to leave his country (idolatrous Ur of the Chaldees), but also his idol-worshipping family!

In this second half of this study entitled, "When God Broke His Silence," we trace the breathtaking moments when God shattered the quiet of HIS-story—from the first cry of His incarnate Son in Bethlehem Ephrata to the prophetic signs surrounding His birth to God's broken silence two more times during Christ's earthly ministry. We explore five compelling reasons many Bible scholars (including most Messianic Jewish ministries) are turning to the view that "sees" the Feast of Tabernacles as the most fitting and theologically rich "season" for the arrival of the Promised Savior ("Emmanuel - God with us"). That seveth God-given feast of seven days (Leviticus 23) celebrates Deity dwelling (past and future) with His people, illuminating them with His light, and filling them with His life‑giving water.

We follow the timeline of Zacharias’s priestly service, the shepherds tending Temple flocks, the overflowing crowds of Tabernacles' pilgrims, and the prophetic symmetry of Israel’s feast-days' calendar. We meet the Bethlehem shepherds who first heard heaven’s announcement, and the Gentile Magi whose long journey brought them to worship the Child‑King of Israel and Light of the nations! Learn about the mysterious "star out of Jacob" foretold by the Gentile "prophet for profit," Balaam. Learn, too, of the connection of the wise men of the East to Daniel the prophet! 

Finally, we look ahead to the next time God will break His now some 2,000-year silence, which will be an audible moment heard only by those who know Christ! The same Lord Who once cried from a manger will descend from Heaven with a shout as He calls His redeemed to meet Him in the air, to dwell (tabernacle) with Him forever. This study closes with an earnest invitation, which was actually given by God the Father when He thundered above the Mount of Transfiguration, "This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased. LISTEN TO HIM"!