Genesis 13-14: Abram and Lot

In Genesis 13-14 shows us the relationship between Abram and Lot. In chapter 13, it tells us about the separation of Abram and Lot and what made them separated. Let's begin shall we...

Abram with his wife and Lot and all that they owned left Egypt and traveled north to the Negev and then toward Bethel. They camped at a place where Abram had built the altar before and there he began to worship the Lord.
Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram and Sarah, was also very wealthy with sheep, cattle, and many tents. The land could not hold both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. There were too many animals for the pastureland. So an argument broke out between the two. At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.
Abram talked it over with Lot. "This arguing between our herdsmen has got to stop," he said. "After all, we are close relatives! I'll tell you what we'll do. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want that area over there, then I'll stay here. If you want to stay in this area, then I'll move on to another place."
Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord had destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot chose that land for himself--the Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.
After Lot was gone, the Lord said to Abram, "Look as far as you can see in every direction. I am going to give you all this land to you and your offspring as a permanent possession. And I am going to give you so many descendants that, like dust, they cannot be counted! Take a walk in every direction and explore the new possessions I am giving you." Then Abram moved his camp to the oak grove owned by Mamre, which is at Hebron. There he built an altar to the Lord.

Ok wow...God is going to give all the land to Abram and give him many descendants too many to count. So let's recap all this information and break it down.

We already know that Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. We already covered that in the last chapter. But what about Lot? If you reread verses 5-9 about the argument. Facing potential conflict with his nephew Lot, Abram took the initiative in settling the dispute. He gave Lot first choice, even though Abram, being older, had the right to choose first. Abram also showed a willingless to risk being cheated. Abram's example shows us how to respond to difficult family situations: (1) Take the initiative in resolving conflicts; (2) let others have first choice, even if that means not getting what we want; (3) put family peace above personal desires.
Lot's character is revealed by his choices. He took the best share of the land even though it meant living near Sodom; a city known for its sin. He was greedy, wanting the best for himself, without thinking about his uncle Abram's needs or what was fair.
Life is a series of choices. We, too, can choose the best while ignoring the needs and feelings of others. But this kind of choice, as Lot's life shows, leads to problems. When we stop making choices in God's direction, all that is left is to make choices in the wrong direction.

In chapter 14, Lot had been captured by King Kedorlaomer's army, because there was a war going on near Sodom. Abram heard about it and gathered up his men in his household and chase Kedorlaomer's army until he caught up with them in Dan. Let's begin...

About this time a war broke out in the region. King Amraphel of Babylonia, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Kedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim fought against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (now called Zoar). The kings of Sodom to Bela formed an alliance and mobilized their armies in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea). For 12 years they had all been subject to King Kedorlaomer, but now in the 13th year they rebelled.
A year later, Kedorlaomer and his allies arrived. They conquered the Rephaites in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites iin the plain of Kiriathaim, and the Horites in Mount Seir, as far as El-paran at the edge of the wilderness. Then they swung around to Kadesh and destroyed the Amalekites, and also the Amorites.
Now the army of the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea against King Kedorlaomer of Elam and his allies. Four kings against five. The valley was filled with tar pits and armies of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some slipped into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.
The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and began their long journey home, taking all the wealth and food with them. They captured Lot, Abram's nephew who lived in Sodom, and took everything he owned.
When Abram learned that Lot had been captured, he called together the men in his household, all 318 of them. He chased after Kedorlaomer's army until he caught up with them in Dan. There he divided the men and attacked during the night from several directions. Kedorlaomer's army fled, but Abram chased them to Hobah, north of Demascus. Abram recovered everything, the goods that had been taken, Abram's nephew Lot with his possessions, and all the women and other captives.

Who was Kedorlaomer, and why was he important? Nothing is known about Kedorlaomer except what we read in the Bible, but apparently he was quite powerful. Five cities including Sodom had paid tribute to him for 12 years. The five cities formed an alliance and rebelled by withholding tribute. Kedorlaomer reacted swiftly and reconquered them all. When he defeated Sodom, he captured Lot, his family, and his possessions. Abram, with only 318 men, chased Kedorlaomer's army and attacked him near Demascus. With God's help, he defeated them and recovered Lot, his family, and his possessions.
These incidents portray two of Abram's characteristics: (1) He had courage that came from God; facing a powerful foe, he attacked. (2) He was prepared; he had taken time to train his men for a potential conflict. We never know when we will be called upon to complete difficult tasks. Like Abram, we should prepare for those times and take courage from God when they come.

Let's continue...

As Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). Then Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought him bread and wine.Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:

"Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has helped you conquer your enemies." (Genesis 14:19-20)

The king of Sodom told Abram, "Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered."
Abram replied, "I have solemnly promised the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from you. Otherwise you might say, 'I am the one who made Abram rich!' All I'll accept is what these young men of mine have already eaten. But give a share of the goods to my allies: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre."

Who was Melchizedek? He was obviously a God-fearing man, for his name means"king of righteousness," and king of Salem means "king of peace." He was a "priest of God Most High" (Hebrews 7:1-2). He recognized God as Creator of heaven and earth. What else is known about him? Four main theories have been suggested: (1) Melchizedek was a respected king of that region. Abram was simply showing him the respect he deserved. (2) The name Melchizedek may have been a standing title for all kings of Salem. (3) Melchizedek was a type of Christ (Hebrews 7:3). A type is an Old Testament event or teaching that is so closely related to what Christ did that it illustrates a lesson about Christ. (4) Melchizedek was the appearance on earth of the preincarnate Christ in a temporary bodily form.

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