Abraham Rescued Lot  
– Genesis Fourteen –

  

            Genesis 14 allows us to take a different look at Abraham. Among many different aspects of Abraham's life was that he had trained 318 men as a small army. He led his small army against a coalition of kings from Mesopotamia who invaded Canaan and took Lot captive. In a surprise attack at night Abraham's armed men were able to rescue Lot and to recover the possessions that had been taken by those kings. The events of this chapter are a great testimony to the faithfulness of God. It is also a demonstration of great faith on the part of Abraham. God had promised Abraham, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing." (Genesis 12:1-2) God protected and preserved Abraham as he first journeyed to the Promised Land. He blessed him as he lived among strangers there. When Abraham journeyed to Egypt during a famine in Canaan and then back to Canaan again God continued to bless him. Now in war and after the war with the possibility of retaliation from those nations God continued to bless and preserve Abraham. Upon his return from battle Abraham met Melchizedek, King of Salem. Melchizedek was the priest of the Most High God. Abraham received a blessing from this priest. He then gave a tithe or a tenth part of all the spoils he had taken from the kings in sacrifice as a tribute to the Most High God. Abraham was offered a huge reward of all the good that were returned. Abraham refused the offer made by the king of Sodom. He refused the offer because of his faith in the fact that both blessings and protection comes from God. He did not want to be made wealthy by the wicked.  

 

            Lot was taken captive in battle -- Genesis 14:1-12: Kings have always sought to dominate and conquer others. Four kings were trying to dominate the land of Canaan. They wanted to be in control. This is the first war mentioned in the Bible. We read, "That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar." (Genesis 14:2) At first the invading kings were very successful in war efforts. They had defeated people in Canaan and plundered their goods. This battle took place in the vale or valley of Siddim. The valley was near the "Salt Sea" or the sea that we know as the Dead Sea. When the war was taking place their enemies took everything of value from Sodom and Gomorrah. They even took their food supplies. Lot, Abraham's nephew, was also captured in the battle. The text stated the matter simply, "And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed." (Genesis 14:12)

 

            Lot was rescued by Abraham -- Genesis 14:13-16: Many people do not want to get involved in the affairs of others when there is personal danger. If Abraham chose to get involved in this war he could easily lose his life, his possessions and his family. There is also the possibility of any retaliation that he might have to face later. "Retaliation" is one of the major problems that have kept the wars going in the eastern countries, even in our day. These people do not forgive and move on. Instead they pass the hatred on to children and children's children for generations. Abraham must have involved himself in this matter because of his love for Lot and because of his faith in God. He did not think that this was what Lot deserved for being so selfish. Sadly, Lot did not learn his lesson. After Abraham rescued Lot he went right back to Sodom.   The term "Hebrew" is used for the first time in this text. "Hebrew" is an ethnic designation in the Old Testament for Abraham and the Jews. Abraham was far outnumbered from a physical standpoint, even though he had 318 men that had been born in his house who were trained for war. But God is able to give victory to the obedient minority over the ungodly majority.

 

            Melchizedek king of Salem blessed Abraham -- Genesis 14:17-20:  Upon his return from battle Abraham is met by Melchizedek. Melchizedek was king of Salem. He was also a priest of God Most High. He brought some bread and wine to Abraham. This act was done to refresh Abraham and his men. They were tired from the journey and from battle. Melchizedek was the first priest mentioned in the Bible. Melchizedek worshipped the great God of the Bible, the possessor of heaven and earth. Melchizedek gave Abraham a priestly blessing. ""I bless you in the name of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. All praise belongs to God Most High for helping you defeat your enemies." Abraham responded by giving Melchizedek a gift fitting for a priest.

 "Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils." (Hebrews 7:4)

 

            Abraham's faith that God would bless him -- Genesis 14:21-24: These few verses record a choice that Abraham made that had eternal consequences. The choices we make affect our happiness here and hereafter. The king of Sodom said to Abraham, "Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself." (Genesis 14:21) Abraham did not want spoils from the battle; rather he desired that God would receive all the glory for his prosperity. He did not want to be indebted to the wicked king of Sodom nor did he want him to think or say that he had made Abraham great. "The gifts of the ungodly are often attached to deadly strings." Abraham's trust in God continued to shine forth throughout his life. Abraham believed that God would provide for, preserve and protect His own as He has promised. We should turn our backs on the world and allow God to bless us. Abraham said to the king of Sodom, "I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion." (Genesis 14:22-24)

 

            Man would be so much better off if he would only obey God. Abraham is proof of that great truth. "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." (Romans 4:3) To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (Romans 10:17), believe in Jesus as the Christ (Mark 16:16), repent of all sins (Acts 17:30), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and be baptized for remission of sins. (Acts 2:38) After baptism remain faithful to God. (Revelation 2:10) If we are full of faith we will believe God's word and expect Him to fulfill His promises. When we are faithful we will actually live according to what God thinks.