FAITH WARING
"Rescue At Hobah"
Genesis 14

Lot's involvement with Sodom begins with a choice based upon carnal appetites-"Lot lifted his eyes and saw…then Lot chose for himself." (13:10, 11). At first he simply pitched his tent "toward Sodom," but by 14:12, he was dwelling in Sodom. Everything he was seeking to save was being jeopardized. He had joined himself to a system that was under satanic control and under divine judgment.
Sodom was one of five Mediterranean cities that served Chedorlaomer king of Elam and chief of the Mesopotamian confederation. I'm sure Lot did not realize that he had aligned himself with a system that was under tribute to the devil. The Mesopotamian confederation seems to represent the kingdom of darkness, while the Mediterranean confederation represents the world.

I. THE REVOLT (14:1-12)
A. THE COALITIONS (1-2)
1. The Mesopotamian Confederation (1) - This four-king confederation seems to represent the kingdom of darkness. This is strongly suggested by the names associated with it.
a. Amraphel (k) - sayer of darkness or one that speaks of hidden things or ruin.
b. Ellasar (c) - revolting from God
c. Chedorlaomer (k) - sheaf band or binding of the sheaf.
d. Tidal (c) - From Hebrew root meaning dreadful or fear.
2. The Mediterranean Confederation (2) - This five-king confederation suggests the world. It is a system under satanic control. The world is a system that "lies under the say of the wicked one" (1Jn. 5:19).
B. THE CONFLICT (3-10)
1. Rebellion (3-4) - For twelve years the Mediterranean confederation had served The Sheaf Binder, but in the thirteenth year they ceased paying tribute and rebelled against him.
2. Retaliation (5-10) - The rebellion seemed to be going well, but in the fourteenth year (v.5), Chedorlaomer led his confederation out against the rebels. Nation after nation fell under his blade. Giants populated some of those nations, but they were no match for him. The Horites lived in the inaccessible, virtually impregnable fortresses and rock cities of Mount Seir, but they were defeated. Finally, the invading armies of Chedorlaomer were facing Sodom. There in the plain of Siddim, Chedorlaomer thrashed the armies of the Mediterranean confederation. Those that were killed or captured fled to the mountains.
C. THE CAPTIVITY (11-12) - The collapse of the Mediterranean armies left the cities of the plain open to the spoilers.
1. They took the goods or valuables of Sodom (11)
2. They took the provisions or food of Sodom (11)
3. They took Lot and his possessions (12) - They made no distinction between Lot and the other inhabitants of Sodom.
II. THE RESCUE (14:13-16)
A. THE ESCAPEE (13a) - Someone who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. The record indicates that Abram had taken up residence in Hebron, near the oak trees of Mamre. This refugee knew where he could find Abram. He must have thought that Abram could and would help.
B. THE EMANCIPATOR (13b-16)
1. He allies (13b)
a. Mamre the Amorite
b. Eschol the Amorite
c. Aner the Amorite
2. His action (14)
a. He armed 318 trained servants who had been born in his house.
b. He pursued the Mesopotamian Confederation
3. His attack (15)
a. He divided his forces
b. He attacked by night
4. His achievement (16)
a. He brought back all the goods
b. He brought back his brother Lot and his goods
c. He brought back the women and people
III. THE RONDEZVOUS (14:17-24)
A. WITH THE KING OF SALEM (18-20) - Melchizedek
1. He brought out bread and wine (18)
2. He was the priest of God Most High (18)
3. He pronounced a blessing (19-20a)
a. "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth"
b. "Blessed be God Most High Who has delivered your enemies into your hand."
4. He was given a tenth of all of the spoils (20b)
B. WITH THE KING OF SODOM (17, 21-24)
1. He went out to meet Abram (17)
2. He brought nothing to Abram
3. He sought to dictate terms (21) - "Give me the souls, and take the goods for yourself."
4. His offer was rejected by Abram (22-24)
a. He had promised God he wouldn't take anything (22-23)
b. He didn't want Bera to take credit for his wealth
c. He dictated the terms (24)
1. He did not ask the young men to repay Bera for the food they had eaten (24)
2. He allowed his allies to take a portion

THE LESSONS

1. The path to bondage begins with catering to the flesh. First, Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom (13:12). Next he dwelt in Sodom (14:12) and was taken captive along with the Sodomites (14:12). (See Romans 8:1-7 and Galatians 6:8.) The man who thinks he can serve God and indulge the flesh is only fooling himself. Paul tells us "the carnal mind is enmity with God" (Rom. 8:7), and "those who are in the flesh cannot please God" (Rom. 8:8). The way to victory over the flesh is submission to the Spirit's leadership. (See Rom. 8:13; Galatians 5:16, 24-25.)
2. Bondage is bondage. There is a bondage so obvious that the captive and those who observe him are aware of it. The man bound by chains does not need anyone to tell him he is a prisoner. He is aware that he has lost control of his life and is in need of deliverance. The Genesis record says, "They took Lot" (14:12). Bereft of his wealth, Lot is lead away in chains. Lest we think this is the beginning of Lot's captivity, may I say that fetters of silk preceded Lot's iron chains. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the German poet declared, "None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." The strength of silken fetters is their deception. They wear more comfortably than iron cuffs, but their bondage is just as real. Iron chains and silk cords produce the same results.
3. The way of faith is the way of love. Someone may say, "Chedorlaomer was Lot's problem, not Abram's." Yes, but love made it Abram's affair. Men who have fallen themselves tend to be compassionate when dealing with the failures of others. Perhaps Abram remembered Egypt and his own failure in that place. His restoration at the altar was also a part of this memory. (See Jude 1:21-24.)
4. The need for a deliverer. Lot would have lived the rest of his life in captivity if it had not been for Abram. The sinner doesn't need another chance he needs a deliverer. There are some things that we can't quit and walk away from. They are areas of bondage and we need deliverance.
5. Not just anyone can be a deliverer.
a. The deliverer must be free. Bound men do not make good deliverers.
i. Free from attitudes - If Abram had been bound by hatred and unforgiveness he would not have sought to deliver Lot. He would have viewed Lot's bondage as Lot's just reward. (See Prov. 24:17; Galatians 5:15.)
ii. Free from evil associations - If he had gone to Sodom with Lot, he would have been as bound as Lot was. We must walk in holiness if we are going to be used of God in the area of deliverance. We can only give what we have and we can only lift a person to where we are. Religious men can only offer you religion, but a man in relationship with God can offer you deliverance. (See 2 Cor. 6:17 and Rev. 18:4.)
b. The deliverer must love the bound one. See point three above.
c. The deliverer must be merciful. The objective is deliverance, not destruction. We must give the captive one what he/she does not deserve and be careful not to give them what they do deserve.
6. Doing good and leaving the rest to God. In spite of Abram's rescue of Lot, there is no evidence that Lot said thanks or had a change of heart. To the contrary, everything in the record indicates that Lot went right back to Sodom. Our task is not to change Lot, but to set him free. What he does with that freedom is between him and God. Abram was a success even though Lot went back to Sodom. Paul exhorts us "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage" (Gal. 5:1).

This study, "Faith Warring", is copyrighted.
Copyright (C) 1998 by Louis Bartet, all rights reserved.

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