Why?

Introduction

In the movie Titanic, the last scene shows a very disturbing scene.

Rose is now an elderly woman and all this time has been carrying the diamond, the Heart of the Ocean, all this time.

Well, she goes out to the edge of the ship and simply drops that precious diamond into the dark, black ocean, to be lost forever.

Many of us who saw the movie still scratch our heads and say, why?

Why would she do such a thing?

Why would she not sell the diamond and give the money to her children or grand children.

Why would she be so reckless in dropping the diamond into the ocean where it would be of no use or value to anyone?

We see something similar in Genesis 14.

The people of Sodom were attacked by a coalition of kings lead by king Kedorlaomer.

They took everything of value, they took its people, including Abram’s nephew Lot.

Well, Abram rescued his nephew by fighting against king Kedorlaomer along with 318 men prepared for battle.

God gave Abram the victory and when the battle was won, the king of Sodom came out to greet Abram.

As soon as he saw Abram he greeted him and said:

Génesis 14:21 ESV

21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.”

Abram can keep everything of value, except for the people.

This was Abram’s opportunity to increase his wealth.

After this battle, Abram could’ve said he was one of the wealthiest men in the land.

The offer was extremely tempting...but, Abram replied:

Génesis 14:22–24 ESV

22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”

Abram basically said, no thank you.

Abram basically refused to accept anything from the king of Sodom.

Abram did not want people to think that the king of Sodom had been the source of his wealth.

Why?

Why would Abram make this decision.

To many, Abram is making a dumb decision - he should’ve accepted this offer.

Some would say that Abram could’ve done much good by accepting the king of Sodom’s gift.

...but Abram did not want to be associated in any way with this evil king, his evil kingdom, and wealth that likely had the stain of sin.

Abram refused to be entangled with the treasures of this evil king...and instead he decided to trust in God.

He decided to trust in God providing for him.

He decided to trust that God would supply his needs.

He decided to trust that God would bless him so that all glory and honor, all praise and worship, would be directed to the invisible God, creator of heaven and earth, who had called him out of Ur of the Chaldees.