Read: Genesis 13:14-14:16 NLT – After Lot had gone, the LORD said to – Bible Gateway
“The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned.” Genesis 14:11-12 NLT
Last week in Biblical Insights Lot made a choice he thought would bring him more wealth and security by locating in the futile plains of the Jordan Valley near Zoar. This week we discover that wasn’t a very smart choice. First of all, Lot’s choice was based on greed and selfishness. Second, he took a long lustful look of what was before him and third, Lot settled near the wicked city of Sodom. In the short-term things probably went well, they usually do confirm our decisions were the right ones for the time being. Lot became so comfortable in his new surroundings that he moved into the city of Sodom. We may find ourselves getting comfortable when were in the wrong place. Lot’s life story since making his decision is a lesson for each one of us in our day. The wrong time may come sooner than we think.
The Lord reaffirmed His promise to Abram after Lot moved on. “After Lot had gone, the LORD said to Abram, ‘Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.’” (Gen.13:14-15 nlt) The Lord God graciously gave Abram the deed to the land. Abram unselfishly gave Lot the first choice, even though he was the elder of the family, now God gives Abram His first choice in giving Abram all the land he could see, east, west, north, and south. The Lord tells Abram to check out and inspect the land. “Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” (Gen.13:17 nlt) In ancient days new landowners upon transfer would set out and visit the land claiming and sealing ownership. The Lord tells Abram to do the same. Abram symbolically claimed ownership.
“So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the LORD.” (Gen.13:18 nlt) Abram walked through the land and finally settled in Hebron, nineteen miles northwest of Jerusalem. There Abram will do what had become his habit and build another altar to the Lord. Soon, Abram and his nephew Lot will find themselves caught in the middle of a war. (Gen.14:1-4)
Kings from the east and north of Palestine, modern-day Iraq, Iran, and Turkey, were attacking kings in the Palestine region who rebelled against them. “For twelve years they had been subject to King Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him.” (Gen.12:4 nlt) Their campaign went through the eastern side of the Jordan from beyond Damascus as far south as the Dead Sea and northward along the western side of the Jordan Valley. They were met by the rebel kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, Bela (also called Zoar) and they were prepared for battle.
Not all battle plans go as planned. The armies of Sodom and Gomorrah either didn’t anticipate the tar pits near the Dead Sea or in their haste of battle miscalculated them. “As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.” (Gen.14:10 nlt) As a result, the invading armies marched through to Sodom and Gomorrah ransacking those cities and “taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned.” (Gen.14:11-12 nlt) A sad commentary for one who thought he had it made. From living on the outskirts of Sodom, Lot was now living among the wicked and has paid the consequences for it. 19th century preacher Charles Spurgeon is quoted as saying, “Those believers who conform to the world must expect to suffer for it.” Maybe it’s a warning to us as well.
Thankfully for Lot and by God’s providence one of Lot’s men escaped and looked for Lot’s uncle Abram to inform him of the circumstances. Abram would not be hard to find being one of the wealthiest people in the region. Abram didn’t hesitate when he heard the news. Abram is an example of one being faithful to his family. He avoided a possible family conflict in separating from Lot, and he is seen here loyal to his nephew not holding any ill feelings towards him for his choice. He is about to come to his aid.
Abram had his own private militia of 318 men. Again, this certainly illustrates Abram’s great wealth. Unlike the leaders of Sodom’s army, Abram had military skills and used them effectively. He divided his men and attacked at night chasing the enemy armies 150 miles. “Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.” (Gen.14:15-16 nlt)
Lot was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He did make a bad choice for the wrong reason, but once it was made, he didn’t need to continue creeping closer to the gates of (temptation) Sodom. Yes, another lesson for us. Don’t get caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Let’s make our choices wisely.
Next week Abram’s modesty and the Lord confirmed His covenant to Abram………
Word for the Soul 