Now we have war & kidnapping as the Genesis story continues.
Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 14:1-12
“And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations, that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
“In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim, and the Horites in their mountain of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is by the wilderness. Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and attacked all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who dwelt in Hazezon Tamar.
“And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains. Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.”
Wars and Rumours of Wars
Matthew 24 takes an account of Jesus talking about “wars and rumours of wars” as a warning of His second coming.
There is nothing new about war.
All the way back in Genesis 14, here is an account of war after war after war involving numerous nations. And at the end of all these, armies from Sodom and Gomorrah run off and Lot is kidnapped and is taken away.
Lot
Abram’s nephew Lot was not in GOD’s plan. Abram was meant to travel to the Promised Land on his own (Genesis 12:1). You’ll remember from previous instalments that Lot’s men and Abram’s men were arguing and so Abram suggested Lot choose where he wanted to settle and Abram would go in the opposite direction (Genesis 13).
Now, Lot has been kidnapped. I can’t help wondering: What does GOD think of Lot’s kidnapping? Is this a distraction to His plan for Abram?
Faithful to family
“Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram. Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people.
“And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him.
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him…” (Genesis 14:13-19a)
It is clear to me that the rescue of Lot was looked favourably upon. GOD has Abram blessed in return.
Do right, no matter what else, do the right thing
The message of Genesis 14 is clear: do the right thing for your family. Do the right thing in war. Do the right thing — GOD will look after you.