Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 22:1 (Spring 2025)
Article: Abraham And The Origins Of Israel’s Messianic Warrior-King
Author: David H. Wenkel

Abraham And The Origins Of Israel’s Messianic Warrior-King

David Wenkel

David H. Wenkel is Research Fellow and Affiliate Faculty in New Testament at LCC International University, Klaipeda, Lithuania.

The characterization of Abraham (then Abram) in Genesis 14, in which Lot was rescued from the alliance of kings under Chedorlaomer, is notoriously difficult and fraught with hermeneutical complexities.1 The problem, as noted by Tremper Longman, is that this text seems to be “an intrusion into the story from Genesis 13 to Genesis 15” and that that it “seems like an isolated story, not connected to reactions to threats or promises.”2 This echoes the conclusions of Von Rad, who almost fifty years earlier stated that Genesis 14, “contains some of the most difficult and most debated material in the patriarchal history.”3 This confusion about Genesis 14 has arguably obscured Abraham’s role in the development of God’s messianic promises. Specifically, it is not until the arrival of King David that there is a clear messianic exemplar who anticipates a king who will fulfill God’s promises, judge his enemies, and offer salvation.4 While David is the climactic figure who

JBTM 22:1 (Spring 2025) 70

anticipates messianic development, the roots go back even further in salvation-history to Abraham. The solution to the problem of Genesis 14 proposed here is that the narrative creates tension by presenting Abraham not as a king but still as a king-like savior of Lot. This tension around Abraham’s identity creates anticipation. Abraham is a messianic figure who anticipates further children (a seed) whose kingship will fulfill God’s covenant promises.

Broadly speaking, the solution proposed here follows the view that Moses intentionally wrote the Pentateuch to be messianic in nature, with the origins of this hope being found in the proto-evangelium of Gen 3:15.5 Recently, some Christian studies have argued that Moses’s messianic intentions are evident in the way that he presents narratives, images, persons, and institutions such as the bronze snake that was lifted up, the anticipation of a prophet-like-Moses, and the blessing of Judah.You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
Click here to subscribe