Waging War and Meeting a Prince of Peace
Chapter 6, part 2 of The Blessings of Abraham:  Becoming a Zion People
By E. Douglas Clark

Unfortunately, as Winston Churchill observed, “The story of the human race is war.” ^[1] It was the story also of Abraham’s day, one of the most warlike generations ever, ^[2] echoing Enoch’s time (see Moses 7:16) and foreshadowing the latter-days (see D&C 45:66–71).

If the Abraham story mentions war rarely, it is only because the Lord led him out of harm’s way and preserved him in relatively peaceful venues. But the time did come when the ravages of war touched even the great Abraham.

Just miles from where he resided in Hebron came the combined military forces of a coalition of kings “ravaging and laying waste.” ^[3] They killed many and took some captives, among them Lot and his family.

As recounted in the Genesis Apocryphon, one of Lot’s shepherds who had escaped “came to Abram ... and told him that Lot ... and all his flocks had been captured, but that he was not dead, and that the kings had taken the road of the Great Valley towards their territory, taking prisoners, ravaging, smiting, killing and proceeding as far as the city of Damascus.

Abram wept for Lot.” ^[4] Josephus adds that Abraham “was moved” also “with compassion for his friends and neighbors, the Sodomites,” ^[5] many of whom had likewise been taken captive. Abraham’s compassion for these people is a remarkable commentary on his character: he did not shun the wicked but befriended them in the hope of helping them.

Only such compassion could move Abraham to now take up arms. Like his descendant Captain Moroni, Abraham was a man of “perfect understanding” who “did not delight in bloodshed” but “did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery” (Alma 48:11). Indeed, Abraham’s ardent desire from the beginning was to become “a prince of peace” (Abraham 1:2). But now, as related in the Genesis Apocryphon, “Abram braced himself, stood up and chose from among his servants those fit for war: three hundred and eighteen,” ^[6] men from his Zion community. As a modern writer comments, “A man of peace, the battle was not of his seeking.” ^[7]

And yet “he did not trust in these, for they were but a small fraction of the kings’ forces, but in God, the champion and defender of the just.” ^[8] They were going in the strength of the Lord, and he urged no one to come who was fearful ^[9] or had committed any trespass against God. ^[10] “If your hearts are turned toward Heaven,” he declared, “you will go forth and the Almighty will make your enemies like herbage.” ^[11]

The speech was similar to what ancient Israel’s high priest would later make to soldiers before going to war. ^[12] It was the same faith that Abraham’s Nephite descendants would manifest when they trusted that if they kept God’s commandments, he would prosper and protect them (Alma 48:14).

Abraham actually hoped to accomplish the rescue mission without the shedding of blood, taking gold and silver to ransom the captives, ^[13] but he was prepared to engage in battle if need be. With these few hundred men, and joined by a few faithful friends, Abraham hurriedly set out northward “in pursuit.” ^[14]

What the sources do not state, but what latter-day revelation makes clear, is that God had actually commanded Abraham to undertake this expedition. “This is the law I gave unto ... Abraham, and all mine ancient prophets and apostles ... that they should not go out unto battle against any nation, kindred, tongue, or people, save I, the Lord, commanded them ... And I the Lord, would fight their battles” (D&C 98:32–33, 38).

When Abraham arrived, he discovered what he had already suspected, that he was vastly outnumbered and would not be able to ransom the captives with money. And although he knew that the Almighty was with him, he immediately began to deploy his limited resources in the most strategic manner possible. Using the cover of night to conceal the smallness of his forces, ^[15] he divided up his men and fanned out in preparation for a sudden surprise attack ^[16] from all four sides. ^[17]

But ancient sources also tell of miraculous happenings that evening. Not only was Abraham’s way illuminated by planetary light, ^[18] but as he began the battle, he became aware of divine assistance extended to him in a miraculous way: “he saw the Shechinah, attended by celestial hosts, lighting up his path,” ^[19] so that, despite outward appearances, he understood that they who were with them were more than those against them. ^[20]

What must have seemed by objective standards an absurd attack soon proved to be a miraculous rout as, according to the Genesis Apocryphon, Abraham’s vastly outnumbered army courageously gave battle to the kings’ soldiers, killing some and chasing the others until “all [were] fleeing before him ... He retrieved from them all that they had captured, all that they had looted and all their own goods. He also saved Lot ... and all his flocks and brought back all the captives.” ^[21] He led them back home, and also, says the Zohar, back to repentance. ^[22]

It was truly the sword of the Lord and of Abraham, ^[23] for the Holy One fought with him and slew his enemies. ^[24] The royal armies that Abraham opposed would surely have had their chariots, judging from other battles around the same time and place of which we have record.“ ^[25] But Abraham’s strength that night came from him who had once told Abraham, “I cause the wind and the fire to be my chariot” — even the invincible Lord of creation (Abr. 2:7). Abraham’s armed might availed him only because God helped him.

Conversely, God helped him in battle only after he had mustered his armed men and prepared himself militarily. God helps those who take all measures necessary to help themselves” ^[26] as seen in the life of Abraham’s righteous descendant Mormon, a man of God who took up the sword to defend his people, qualifying for the Lord’s deliverance by first making use of the means the Lord had provided. ^[27]

Abraham’s victory was miraculous also for the fact that he lost not a single one of his men, ^[28] not unlike the later miraculous preservation of his two thousand young Lamanite descendants serving under Helaman (see Alma 57:25). And Abraham’s victory was actually won before the clash of swords began, for, according to a midrash, his victory came not by strength of “weapons and armor but rather with prayer and supplication.” ^[29] For which he gratefully knelt again and gave thanks to the Almighty:

Thus it was that Abraham, contrary to human nature, “became more humble, not more proud, in victory.” ^[32]

Abraham’s miraculous victory echoed that of his forefather Enoch, whom the Lord had strengthened with miraculous power as Enoch led the people of Zion to defend themselves in battle (Moses 7:13–17). According to Jewish tradition, Abraham’s victory also foreshadowed the future, even the redemption of his descendants in Egypt on Passover night, as well as the still-future redemption of Israel: “At the End of Days, the Messiah will deal just such a stunning, total defeat to his adversaries.” ^[33]

Christians recognize the Messiah as Jesus Christ, seed of Abraham, whose final victory, according to early Christian tradition in England, began on the cross and was foreshadowed by Abraham’s remarkable victory against the kings of the earth. “Of all men living,” says the Saxon Genesis concerning Abraham, “never did anyone conduct with a small troop against so great a force a more worthy warfare” — which thing was a type, insists the Venerable Bede, of the ultimate Victory that would rescue us all:

Such prefiguring of Jesus was only possible because, as told by the early church fathers, “Jesus was ... the strength of Abraham in this encounter.” ^[35]

As Abraham journeyed home with the ransomed captives and their property, according to ancient Jewish tradition, relieved and grateful peoples and their kings came to hail the conquering hero and express their gratitude and allegiance. They made a cedar throne for Abraham, bowing to him as their king and even their god. ^[36] Suddenly, here was an unexpected opportunity laid at Abraham’s feet to extend his influence over the land that God had already given him and to create political alliances and a dominion that could possibly continue to grow into a scope commensurate with his mandate to bless all nations.

Even from a purely defensive posture, the opportunity seemed uncannily timely, for according to a number of ancient sources, the coalition’s original intent had been first to take Lot and then Abraham, whose success in his missionary efforts had been extensive in turning many from their idolatry. ^[37] The success may have been significant enough to threaten the very order of things, including tribute based on the economy of idolatry.

Accordingly, for Abraham to now accept this offer of kingship would put him in a position to counter any further attack by the coalition, thereby securing the land that God had given him.

And wasn’t Abraham already the planet’s rightful monarch, holding the same royal patriarchal authority over all the human race as held earlier by Adam and Noah in their “patriarchal reigns” (Abr. 1:26)? Might this unusual offer even be God’s vindication of that right, allowing Abraham the opportunity to seize what was rightfully his and secure the land God had given him by accepting political power? It was the kind of rare opportunity that ambitious souls throughout history have craved, as seen in the careers of conquerors like Alexander and Napoleon and Genghis Khan.

Commenting on the opportunity presented to Abraham, a modern rabbi has observed that “grateful nations often seek to confer kingship and even deification upon victorious military leaders. It takes great strength of character for a military leader to spurn the power and the adulation that is his for the taking.” ^[38] Only rarely does history produce such strength, with the greatest example being the first — Abraham.

Responding to the cheering crowds, he simply “warded them off, and said, ‘The universe has its King, and it has its God!’ He declined all honors,” ^[39] urging that “if I am pleasing to you and you desire to deal kindly with me, then love one another and deal peacefully together. Open the doors of your houses to the poor, the stranger and the wayfarer, and believe in the Lord God, the Creator of heaven and earth, and serve him with all your heart.” ^[40]

Abraham’s royal patriarchal authority and its exercise was governed solely upon the priesthood principles of righteousness and humility, not upon the accolades of men. Indeed, it was precisely because Abraham did not set his heart upon the things of this world, nor aspire to the honors of men, that he had such power in the priesthood (see D&C 121:34–36) as he presided over Zion.

And the door to that Zion could not be opened by heaping praise on Abraham, but only by obeying the eternal gospel that he taught concerning faith in Christ, repentance of sins, baptism, and the Holy Ghost. It was yet another occasion to bring men to Christ. Abraham’s goal was not to change the map but hearts, and he would conquer not by the sword but only by love.

But the king of Sodom had unfinished business.  He came forward and asked for the return of his subjects that Abraham had rescued, while recognizing Abraham’s right to the war booty. “Give me the people,” said the king, “you take the property.” ^[41] In fact, by rights of war, Abraham now owned not only the goods but also the people, and he could have kept them as slaves, sold them, or demanded a ransom from the king of Sodom. ^[42] “He might have done so,” notes one writer. “Many would have done so.” ^[43]

But Abraham had made a prior covenant with the Lord not to enrich himself in the enterprise. “The king of Sodom knew nothing of Abraham’s covenant with the Lord,” observed President Kimball. “Abraham could have made himself rich by receiving of the king’s [offer]. But he had made an oath which he would not violate. Oh, that all of God’s children could be so true!” ^[44]

Abraham returned both the people and the goods, renouncing his right to everything. He “would have nothing to do with an offer of reward from the king of Sodom ... Abraham’s reward would come not from the kings of this world but from Yahweh [Jehovah], ‘the LORD, the Creator of heaven and earth.’” ^[45] Indeed, “Abraham’s motives had been pure from the very beginning” of the enterprise, ^[46] and he was not about to compromise his principles now. “Here is a pattern to copy.” ^[47]

Another monarch stepping forth to greet Abraham was Melchizedek, who, according to Genesis, brought forth bread and wine and blessed Abraham, and he in turn paid tithes to Melchizedek. ^[48] Genesis gives no hint as to who this mysterious Melchizedek was, who appears suddenly and then will not be mentioned again.

Some of the mystery is removed by other sources, which tell that the reason his genealogy isn’t given in Genesis is because he was not one of the patriarchs. ^[49] But it is latter-day scripture as restored through Joseph Smith that gives us the most information about the remarkable Melchizedek, who was “a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire,” and qualified for and received his ordination to the Holy Priesthood after the Order of the Son of God (JST Gen. 14:26).

Later, as told in the Brass Plates, Melchizedek ruled as a king over the land of Salem.

And his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abominations; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness; but Melchizedek, having exercised mighty faith, ... did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem [literally “peace” in Hebrew]; and he did reign under his father. Now there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater (Alma 13:17–19).

Faith, righteousness, miracles, preaching repentance, establishing peace — such were Abraham’s accomplishments also. If, as the proverb goes, it takes a prophet to understand a prophet, then Abraham and Melchizedek had found in each other a truly resonant soul. It was one of the most important meetings in history, a summit of two spiritual giants establishing the order of the Kingdom of God.