We continue the story of Abram with his first rescue of Lot.  Lot is captured when the people of Sodom are captured because he is living there amongst them.  They are captured along with all of their possessions.  Abram comes to the rescue.  Let’s look together at the account found in Genesis 14.

13 A man who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshkol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people. 17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

There are a few valuable lessons to learn from Abram here.  First when he recovers the goods he gives a tenth immediately to God.  He is thankful that God has delivered Lot from his enemies and worships Him in response.  Abram has an opportunity to acquire great riches as a result of his victory in battle.  He is not enticed by the riches of Sodom as Lot was.  He refuses anything but what his men need to eat. He wants nothing to do with Sodom at all.  He demonstrates great wisdom and integrity by simply rescuing them and then separating himself.  The question for us is who what in our lives should we separate ourselves from.  We are called to step in and help and share the gospel.  The difference between Abram and Lot is significant though.  Abram intervenes and leaves.  Lot remains linked with those who are wicked and want nothing to do with God.  May we all follow the example of Abram and not be enticed by some of the things that might distract us away in our own faith journey. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave