Originally posted on February 18, 2022 @ 10:37 am
Abraham is one of the fathers of faith; he is a biblical icon whose life believers should emulate. His faith is not the only lesson we can learn from him; his ability to preserve family relationships worthy of emulation. Abraham loved and cared for his nephew lot that Lot prospered in Abraham’s house. The biblical passage Genesis 14 shows how much Abraham loved Lot, and it’s also a story of how Abraham rescues Lot.
Abraham cared for Lot, and he never saw him as a threat. Lot never knew lack; he was respected by his uncle and all the servants around them. The story starts in Genesis Chapter 13 when Lot’s servant and Abraham’s servant have disagreements. They could not peacefully cohabit anymore because the space couldn’t accommodate all of them. Each faction was concerned about his herd. The water and grass weren’t enough for both parties.
5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarrelling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. Genesis 13: 5-7
Abraham heard about this and thought it would be better for them to separate before the fight would destroy their good relationship. Abraham told Lot to choose the part he wanted to settle. Abraham wasn’t selfish, threatened by Lot’s prosperity. Lot looked around and chose the best land he could see.
So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarrelling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” Genesis 13; 8-9
Lot chose the part that was lush and green. The bible noted that he chose a part as green as Eden. Abraham wasn’t angry, neither was he sad that he wouldn’t be able to share in the fertile land. He released Lot and allowed him to go to his new territory with his family. This act shows his selflessness and his ability to maturely handle issues.
10 Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Genesis 14 :10-12
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Abraham rescues Lot
Tragedy struck when war came; kings gathered together to fight against Sodom. Lot and his family were taken into captivity. They became prisoners of war, and the four rebelling kings were happy and rejoicing. They had just won the best battle of their lives. Whenever I read this story, I wonder what would be on Lot’s mind. A very wealthy man who has become a prisoner of war; He would be afraid for his wife and daughters. They can be raped or killed.
Abraham got the news and was devastated. he never thought a day would come when his family would be held captive. He organised his house, Took some of his trained servants, and rescued Lot from his captors. Abraham was successful, and he retrieved all loots taken from Sodom and Gomorrah. This story is fascinating. There are many lessons from Genesis 14 story.
11 The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.
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[b] 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. Genesis 14; 11-16
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Lessons from Genesis 14
- As believers, we should always make God the source of our decisions.
Our physical eyes can only see the present and not the future. God knows the end from the beginning, and we should allow him to guide us through making life decisions.
- Confidence in God is key
Abraham wasn’t scared or discouraged when Lot chose the best land. Abraham was confident God’s promise would come to pass irrespective of the part he lived.
- All that glitters are not gold.
Lot’s stay in Sodom and Gomorrah was never peaceful. The bible recorded that the people in the town were wicked. The city was eventually destroyed, and Lot was left with nothing. The city looked beautiful from afar, but it was decayed inside.
- Family is important
Abraham’s love for his family was tested in this Bible chapter. He showed he truly loved and cared for Lot like a son. Abraham wasted no time when he heard Lot was captured. He left all he had behind and rescued Lot.
One of the major highlights of this story in Genesis 14 for me is how Abraham’s actions show the love God has for us. Even though we are like Lot, who made decisions based on what he could see, God never leaves us when we get in trouble because of our own doings. God still runs to us with arms open wide. He is ready to accept us and show us his love.
Are you willing to accept his love?
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