7 TROUBLE

Lot’s poor choice becomes more clear in these verses. He soon discovers that the lush fertile valley may not have been such a good choice after all.

This is the first war we read of in Scripture. The stories of wars make up much of history, but we know of this war only because it involved Abram and Lot.

The invaders were four kings and two of them are from Shinar and Elam, better known by other names, that is, Chaldea and Persia. Probably the sovereign princes of those great kingdoms did not travel to the lower Jordan valley themselves personally, but sent other officers under them, or rather the heads and leaders of some colonies which came out of those great nations, and settled themselves near Sodom, but retained the names of the countries from which they had their origin. This was no small matter as large political powers were involved either directly or indirectly. The invaded were the kings of five cities located near to each other in the plain of Jordan, namely, Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar. Only four of the five are mentioned by name. The king of Zoar or Bela is not recognized either because he was a much less significant player or because he was much more wicked than the others and deserved to be omitted.

The reason for this war was the revolt of the five kings from under the government of Kedorlaomer. Twelve years they had served him. However, they only had small joy in their fruitful land, while they were mere tributaries of a foreign power. They could not call what they had their own. Rich countries are a desirable prey, and idle luxurious countries are an easy prey, to growing greatness. The Sodomites were the posterity of Canaan whom Noah had earlier pronounced a servant to Shem. From Shem Elam descended (Genesis 10:22). We can see then that it did not take long for Noah’s prophecy to begin to be fulfilled. In the thirteenth year, beginning to be weary of their humiliation, they rebelled, denied their tribute, and attempted to shake off the yoke and retrieve their independence. In the fourteenth year, evidently after some pause and preparation, Kedorlaomer, in conjunction with his allies, set himself to punish and overpower the five rebel kings and their cities. Since he could not have his tribute otherwise, he sought to get it by his sword. Pride, covetousness, and ambition, and the search for power over others, all are lusts from which wars and fightings come. These are the idols for which the blood of thousands has been sacrificed.

The four kings laid the neighbouring countries waste and enriched themselves with the their spoils. Genesis 14: 5-7 say:” 5 In the fourteenth year, Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him went out and defeated the Rephaites in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim 6 and the Horites in the hill country of Seir, as far as El Paran near the desert. 7 Then they turned back and went to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and they conquered the whole territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazezon Tamar.

When these four kings had defeated so many, how could the mere king of Sodom resist an enemy who was filled with confidence because of such an impressive string of victories? Yet he tried, and failed. He would rather venture the utmost extremity than yield, and it sped his defeat. The forces of the king of Sodom and his allies were routed; and, it appears that many of them who escaped the sword died in the tar pits. Our’s is not the first generation to feel that in all places we are surrounded with deaths of various kinds, especially in the field of battle. Genesis 14:10 says, “Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills.” Furthermore, the cities were plundered. The next verse say, “The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away” (11).  All the goods of Sodom, and particularly their stores and provisions of victuals, were carried off by the conquerors. When men abuse the gifts of a bountiful providence to gluttony and excess, it is just with God, and His usual way, by some judgment or other to strip them of what they have so abused. It is better to acknowledge that it is God who gives nations bountiful blessings. Israel did not, just as others, to their peril, don’t. Hosea 2:8-9 say, “She has not acknowledged that I was the one who gave her the grain, the new wine and oil, who lavished on her the silver and gold—which they used for Baal. Therefore I will take away my grain when it ripens, and my new wine when it is ready. I will take back my wool and my linen, intended to cover her naked body.” If nations don’t acknowledge God they risk losing what they had.

Lot was carried captive. Genesis 14:12 say, “They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.” Lot shared with his neighbors in this common calamity. Though he was himself a righteous man according to Peter, and, as is pointed out, is Abram’s brother’s son, yet he was involved with the rest in all this trouble. Ecclesiastes  9:2 says, “2 All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good, so with the sinful; it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them.” Pray for the nation where you live just as Jeremiah recommended to the Jews in Babylonian captivity.

The best of men cannot promise themselves an exemption from the greatest troubles in this life. Neither from our own godliness nor our relation to those that are the favorites of heaven will we have security in the face of God’s judgments. However, many an honest man suffers more the worse because of his wicked neighbors. So let us choose our neighbors carefully. It is therefore our wisdom to separate ourselves or at least to distinguish ourselves from them and so deliver ourselves. Paul recommended this in 2 Corinthians 6:17, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And Revelation 18:4-5 say, “Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.” This very story may be included in the Bible to be a warning to us. Lot made his choice and in the very next chapter we read of the negative impact it had on him and his.

This would not feel good because of the foolish choice Lot made in settling there in the first place. If he choose to dwell in Sodom, he must thank himself if he shares in Sodom’s calamities. When we go out of the way of our duty we may remove ourselves from under God’s protection. We cannot expect that the choices made by our material desires or lusts should result in our comfort. Particular mention is made of their taking Lot’s goods, perhaps those same goods which had caused his herdsmen to quarrel with Abraham’s which produced his separation from him. It is certainly fair for God to deprive us of whatever enjoyments we have allowed ourselves to love and seek rather than the enjoyment of Him.

This is the only military action we ever find in which Abram is engaged, and this he was prompted to do, not by his own ambition, but purely by a principle of kindness to his nephew. It was not to enrich himself, but to help someone else. Certainly this military expedition was undertaken, prosecuted, and finished honorably.

Abram did not live very far away so he could get the news quickly. He is here called “Abram the Hebrew,” that is, to say he was a descendant of Heber, in whose family godliness was maintained even in that degenerate age. Abram now acted like a Hebrew—in a manner worthy of the name and character of a godly man. Abram heard the news from someone that had escaped with his life. Very possibly he was a Sodomite since he was not named and Lot only had daughters. He may have been as bad as the worst of them; yet knowing Abram’s relation to Lot, and concern for him, he asks for his help knowing that if Abram helped Lot, others, too, from Sodom would be benefited. This may have even been his primary motivation. The worst of men, in the day of their trouble, will be glad to claim acquaintance with those that are wise and good in an attempt to get help from them. The rich man in hell called Abram “father” although he was too late to make that call. And the foolish virgins appealed to the wise ones for a share of their oil though they should have asked for advice before it was too late.

The cause was plainly good, his call to engage in it was clear, and therefore, with all speed, he began preparations. He called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan” (14). This was a large household, but a small army, approximately the size of Gideon’s army that routed the Midianites. Judges 7:7 says, “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.’” Abram had allies, but we do not read about how active they were in this battle. Abram had “trained men” possibly not only instructed in the art of war, to the extent that such training could be arranged in those days, but also, if we believe in Abram’s godly character, were instructed in the principles of godliness.  Abram very likely commanded his household to keep the way of the Lord. This number, 318, indicates that Abram was great man, who had so many servants depending upon him, and employed by him, which was not only his strength and honor, but gave him an opportunity to do good. Abram was a good man, who not only served God himself, but instructed others around him in the service of God. Those that have great families have not only many bodies, but many souls besides their own, to take care of and provide for. If you want to be a leader, that means you must be willing to be responsible for them. Those that want to be the followers of Abram’ example must see that their servants are trained. And for pastors and church leaders, the obvious lesson is that we must train our people to increase their usefulness to the body of Christ. Train teachers, children’s and youth workers, small group leaders, deacons and other leaders in the church.

Abram was a wise man for, though he was a man of peace, yet he disciplined his servants for war, not knowing when he might face a situation like he now faced. Even though we prefer peace, our faith is not violated if we appear strong and are strong so as to provide a deterrent for war. If we are prepared for spiritual warfare, we will be glad to have prepared. Abram’s men were easy. After all, we are involved in spiritual warfare and our “soldiers” need to be trained for that.

Abram shows us a great deal of bravery in this enterprise itself, considering the disadvantages under which he lay. What could one family of husbandmen and shepherds do against the armies of four princes, who now came fresh from blood and victory? It was not a defeated, but a victorious army, that Abram was to pursue. It was not by necessity to undertake this daring attempt, but he was moved to it by generosity so that, with all things considered, it was as great an instance of true courage as ever Alexander or Caesar undertook. Righteousness and godliness tend to make men, less cowardly and more valiant. The righteous is bold as a lion. The true Christian is the true hero.

Abram used strategy. He was not just bold, he was bold and wise. He managed the attack. He divided his troops as Gideon also did his little army so that he might confuse the enemy by coming simultaneously from several directions at once. He also made his attack by night, that he might surprise them. Gideon may have heard of and used Abram’s strategy.

God gave him a great success. Genesis 14:15-16 say, “During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.”

He defeated his enemies, and rescued his friends. Apparently this was without loss to his own group. Christians are not always guaranteed these good results, because there is often a cost in our victories, but this victory certainly proves 1 Samuel 14:6 to be true: “Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised men. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.’” Those that trust and obey God and venture in a good cause, with a good heart, are under the special protection of a good God, and have reason to hope for a good result.

He rescued his kinsman, a relative. The remembrance of the relation that was between them, both by nature and grace, made him forget the little quarrel that had been between them, in which Lot had not acted well towards Abram. Justly might Abram have scolded Lot with his foolishness in quarreling with him and departing from him, and have told Lot that he deserved his loss. But Abram has no reproof for Lot, because in his noble heart all is forgiven and forgotten. Abram takes this opportunity to give a real proof of the sincerity of his reconciliation. Not only Lot, but we too, can learn from Abram’s example that we ought to be ready, when it is in our power to offer relief to those that are in distress, especially our relations and friends. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).  A friend in need is a friend indeed. Though others do not fulfill their duty to us, yet we must not therefore deny our duty to them. We act out of who we ourselves are, not out of what circumstantial pressures, situations or influences we encounter. Let us not miss an opportunity to follow Abram’s and God’s examples: “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy” Micah 7:18).

Abram also rescued the rest of the captives, for Lot’s sake, though they were strangers to him and such as he was under no obligation to at all. Though they were Sodomites, great sinners before the Lord and though, probably, he might have recovered Lot alone, yet he brought back all the women, people, and their goods. “He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people” (16). As we have opportunity, we must do good to all men. That is leadership. Wherever God gives life, we seize the opportunity to be pro-life like God and give the help we can to support it. God does good to the just and unjust, and so must we, “. . . that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). We might wonder if years later Isaiah referred to this incident when he wrote: “Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to his service? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him. He turns them to dust with his sword, to windblown chaff with his bow” (Isaiah 41:2).  Earlier Abram had a title to this land by virtue of a promise from God, but now, in addition to that, he had it also by conquest.

The implications for success in spiritual warfare are obvious. Let us not be afraid to engage our enemy. That is what Abram would do if he were long us today.