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'''CHAPTER EIGHT: ABRAM RESCUES LOT'''

CHAPTER EIGHT ABRAM RESCUES LOT

Abram had many servants and cattle, as well as much silver and gold. And so did his nephew Lot. In fact, their herds grew so large that they needed great amounts of green pastures and fresh drinking water. Abram and Lot soon discovered that there was not enough grazing land and water for both of their growing herds (Genesis 13:1-6).

As the situation grew worse, another problem arose. Some of Abram’s herdsmen and some of Lot’s herdsmen began to compete against each other for land and water. This led to arguments and strife. Abram knew that if the problem was not resolved soon, fights would break out—even resulting in death (Gen 13:7).

So he took his nephew aside and said, “Lot, we have problems between our herdsmen. They cannot walk together in peace unless we are all in complete agreement. We cannot afford to let bad feelings and strife divide us—we are family.”

Lot agreed. He knew that something should be done—but what?

“I think it’s time for your group and my group to separate,” Abram said. “This will ensure peace between us. Besides, God has promised me all of Canaan. Pick which section of land you want for your very own use, and I will take my possessions and go the opposite direction.

I am giving you first choice of the Promised Land” (Gen 13:8-9).

Lot’s eyes grew wide with astonishment. He knew that Abram, as the head, or Patriarch, of their family, had the right to choose whatever part of the Promised Land he desired. Abram thought more about maintaining peace than gaining material things.

For years, Abram had treated Lot like a son, partly because Lot’s father was dead. But also because Abram and Sarai still did not have children of their own.

Lot looked out into the horizon and saw the lush, fertile valley of Jordan to the east. There, the land was rich, like Egypt along the Nile

River. Upon seeing the valley, Lot thought about how his herds and riches would increase if he went there. He did not consider turning this opportunity down and letting Abram take the land.

So he told his uncle, “I will take the land to the east.”

Happy that they could part on peaceful terms, Abram watched Lot and his group head for the valley of Jordan (Gen 8:10-11).

Eventually, Lot settled among the cities of the plain. These cities and towns were so evil and desperately wicked that, if they did not change their law-breaking ways, God would be forced to severely correct them. God knew that He would have to put them out of their misery, just as He had done with the Great Flood.

By choosing to live among such evil people, Lot was in danger of becoming like them and suffering God’s wrath (Gen 13:12-13).

God Reaffirms His Promise

With Lot and his herdsmen gone, God spoke to Abram and reaffirmed His promise to him.

He said, “Abram, look around you. Look to the north, south, east and west. Everywhere you can see I will give to you and your descendants forever. Also, I will bless you with so many descendants, it will be like numbering the dust of the earth, if that is possible for men to do so! Now, arise, and walk throughout the Promised Land, from its length to its width. It all belongs to you.”

With Abram’s approval, Lot decides to move to the fertile valley of Jordan.

Hearing these words, Abram felt closer to his Creator than he ever had before. He knew that the Eternal would keep His promise. God does not—and cannot—lie.

Abram did what he was told, and traveled throughout the Promised Land, inspecting it. Then he came to a town called Hebron and lived near a grove of trees belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre became his ally and friend.

Then Abram built another altar to worship and give burnt offerings to God (Genesis 13:14-18).

Lot is Captured

One day, while Abram and his men conducted business, a man stumbled into their presence. Gasping to catch his breath, the man said that he had urgent news for Abram.

The man’s clothes were caked with mud and dirt. Through the rips and holes in his clothing, Abram could see bruises and wounds on the man’s body. Abram ordered his servants to give the man cool water to quench his thirst.

With his belly full, the man was ready to tell Abram his story: “The kings of Shinar, Ellasar, Elam and the king of nations have attacked!” (Genesis 14:13).

Abram and his men were well aware of what the man had meant.

The kings of the five cities of the plain—Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Bela—rebelled against the king of Shinar. For 12 years they had paid tribute to him. Because of Shinar’s military might, these kings were forced to give Shinar’s king the best of their possessions.

But in the thirteenth year, they decided, “No more! If the king of Shinar wants our riches, he’ll have to take them from us!”

When he did not receive the yearly tribute from the five cities of the plain, the king of Shinar was enraged.

“How dare they rebel against me!” he shouted. “I will make them pay!”

Joined by the troops of the kings of Ellasar, Elam, and the king of nations, he ordered his men to attack the five cities of the plain.

“And if anyone dares to get in our way, destroy them!” he ordered.

Like a human war machine, the massive army destroyed anyone who dared to cross their path—even giant warriors such as the Rephaim, the Zuzim, the Emim, the Horites and others who towered over ordinary men. Having easily destroyed these giants, the army of the four kings from the east came to Kadesh and attacked other cities and towns.

“The kings of the five cities joined together,” the man said to Abram, “and met the invaders in the Valley of Siddim. Though there were five armies against four, the four kings from the east won the battle. Those soldiers who managed to escape fled to the mountains. With the cities of the plain unguarded, the four kings invaded Sodom and Gomorrah and took all of their possessions before leaving” (Gen 14:1-11).

Abram did not like the sound of this report. He knew that his nephew Lot, against better judgment, lived among the people of Sodom.

“And what of Lot?” he asked. “Has anything happened to him and his family?”

The man hesitated, then said, “The four kings from the east took Lot and his possessions with them!” (Gen 14:12).

Abram Rescues Lot

Abram stood up and shouted to his men, “Get your weapons and prepare your camels! We’re going to rescue Lot!”

Then he and his private group of 318 bodyguards and well-trained servants mounted their camels and headed for the invading army before it could escape. Mamre the Amorite and his brothers, Aner and Eshol, came with Abram (Genesis 14:14-24).

They raced to the northern edge of Canaan until they caught sight of the enemy’s camp. After waiting for night to fall, Abram divided his men into groups and surrounded the unsuspecting army.

Meanwhile in the camp, the king of Shinar relaxed in his tent, drinking wine and admiring the silver and gold that he took from Sodom and Gomorrah. The other three kings sat with him and boasted of their success in battle.

“We slew the armies of the Rephaim, the Zuzim and all the other armies of giants. They were no match for us. Now everyone in Canaan trembles at the mere mention of our names.”

The king of Elam said, “Yes, and we have taught Sodom and Gomorrah a lesson they will not soon forget.”

All four kings laughed and drank more wine.

“This is only the beginning,” said the king of Shinar. “With our combined armies, we can take over all the land we desire. We can rule everything. No one can stop us!”

And as the four kings laughed and boasted some more, Abram gave the command: “Attack!”

In the camp, the weary soldiers from the east were caught by surprise.

After winning so many battles, they never expected that any group so small would dare attack them. Tired from constant battle and long traveling, the soldiers were confused and frightened. In the darkness and confusion, Abram’s men rushed down upon them like a landslide.

Many of the soldiers died.

But some escaped and fled to the north. Abram and his men pursued them for 150 miles, finally catching them in Damascus. The four kings and army from the east were destroyed (Gen 14:15).

Abram rescued Lot and his possessions, as well as the goods and people taken from Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 8:16). If Abram had not stepped in, Lot and the others would have become slaves in a foreign land, never to be heard from again.

But Abram knew that it was God who really gave him his success.

Abram Meets Melchizedek

Upon returning with Lot, the people and their possessions, Abram was greeted by the king of Sodom at the Valley of the Kings, east of Jerusalem (Genesis 14:17). The king wanted to thank him. He also wanted to ensure that he could get Abram to fight for him in the future.

So the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Don’t worry about giving me back my possessions—keep them. I only want the people” (Gen 14:21). This offer would have made Abram even richer than he already was. But Abram saw through the king’s scheme.

He said, “I have raised my hand to the Eternal, God the most High.

He is the Possessor of heaven and earth—everything belongs to Him.

Therefore, I will rely upon Him to reward me” (Gen 14:22).

Earlier, Abram had met Melchizedek, the King of Salem. He gave Abram and his fighting men bread and wine, which refreshed and strengthened them. Melchizedek was the priest of God most High. He was also the Word, the member of the God Family who spoke for God the Father and carried out his commands. One day, He would be born as a human being and be called Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:1-10).

Melchizedek may have seemed like a flesh-and-blood man, but He was really God, appearing as a man. He represented God’s way of life to those who would listen.

He told Abram, “Blessed be Abram of God most High, who is the possessor of heaven and earth. And blessed be God most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hands.”

Abram fully understood that neither he nor his men were responsible for defeating the four kings from the east. That honor went to God alone. Abram knew that his success came from obeying and trusting in God (Psalm 18:1-3, 28-50).

That is why Abram gave Melchizedek a tithe—a tenth part—of all that he owned (Genesis 14:18-20).

God owns everything (Genesis 14:19, 22; Job 41:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Revelation 10:6). And no matter how hard one works, the money people earn belongs to God. However, because He loves to share, God gives us 90 percent of it. All He expects is that we pay Him ten percent.

If we do, God promises to shower us with more blessings than we could imagine (Malachi 3:8-10).

As His priest, Melchizedek represented God to the people, just as God’s true ministers represent Him today. That is why Abram paid God’s tithe to the King of Salem.

In tithing, God requires that we pay Him only one-tenth of what we earn… …while He allows us to keep the rest.

Abram continued to say to the king of Sodom, “Because God owns everything, I will take nothing from you. Everything belongs to our Creator, and He is the one who will bless me, not you. Also, I do not want you to be able to say that you made me rich because I accepted anything from you. Except for what my men have already eaten, I will not take anything from you. As for my allies—Aner, Eshol and Mamre—let them take their portion” (Genesis 14:23-24).

The king of Sodom’s plan had failed and he was not happy. But he knew better than to upset Abram.

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