gensis 15 - contract?

God reminds Abram of 2 amazing truths - that He is protecting him (shield) and that He is everything that Abram needs (very great reward). Abram is still focused on what he doesn't have, a son. If I was God, I'd be saying something like, "didn't you hear what I just said?", but amazingly God reassures him and continues to reinforce His promise to Abram. God passes between the animal corpses which was the sign of entering into a binding contract. Only God passes through because this is a covenant, not a contract. Even when we are faithless, he remains faithful. Even when turn away, He keeps his promise. We should have walked through the corpses and then paid with our life when we disobey. Instead, God passes through and Jesus pays our penalty with His life when we disobey.

genesis 14 - melchizedek

The king of righteousness, king of Jerusalem, priest of the most high God, without father or mother etc (from Heb 7). Is this Jesus coming to meet Abraham? Whether it is or it isn't, we know that Jesus is our great high priest now, He bridged the gap between us and God forever, and He is deserving of our offerings (whether it is a tenth or more!).

Here Abram seems keen to be dependant on no-one other than God for his wealth, even though a lot of the wealth he currently was given to him by the Pharaoh etc. It seems as though Abram might be exercising a bit of discernment, God will let him know when it is and isn't appropriate to accept gifts from the various people he encounters.