Abram risks his life for his brother

“Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants .... and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people” (Genesis 14:14-16). The king of Sodom and the kings of  the nearby cities had paid tribute to Chedorlaomer,  king of Elam, for twelve years. Banding together the decided to rebel and not pay the tribute.  Chedorlaomer, with the aid of three allies,  invades, defeats them,  and marches home with a large amount of prisoners and booty.  Lot, living in Sodom,  was also taken prisoner (verses 1-12).

Benson comments “The invaders were from Chaldea and Persia, then only small kingdoms.” And some of the kings were kings of cities. On a trip to Israel,  visiting the excavation of several cities of ancient Israel at Jesus time, I saw what were called cities were also very small.  So Abram with his three hundred and eighteen trained men mounting a surprise attack by night,  were well able to defeat them.  Matthew Henry comments that Abram took this opportunity to give  proof of his being a true friend to Lot. He says we ought to be ready to help  those in distress, especially relations and friends. He continues though others may have been wanting in their duty to us, yet we must not neglect our duty to them.  Agreeing Paul writes “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

Though perhaps not a tad selfish in choosing what looked like the best land (13:10ff), it would be hard to deduce that Lot was “wanting in his duty.” But Matthew Henry makes a good point, Abram was “laying down his life for his friend.”  He could have said “he made his bed, let him lie in it!” If laying down his life sounds familiar, it was meant to be. Because while we were yet enemies Christ laid down His life for us (Romans 5:8, 10). And because Christ showed His love for us in this way, John admonishes us that we “also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).  He then asks, “if we shut our hearts to our brother in need, how does the love of God live in us” (verse 17)?

In the context of Romans 5 Paul describes the process of character building that is meant to follow the assurance of our justification (being put right with God). By learning to tap into God's grace we glory in the trials that produce patience. This in turn produces character and hope, by which the love of God floods our hearts (verses 1-5).

Father, by faith Abram displayed what we call Christian character without the help of the Holy Spirit.  Help us to stay close and connected to You Lord, so that the fruit of You spirit, the love, the joy, the peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control (Galatians5:22,23) grows in us,  thus demonstrating to the world that we are Yours. We need Your help Lord, and we are asking for it this morning,  in Jesus Name Amen