Gen. 14:13-1613And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. 14And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. 15And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. 16And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. (Genesis 14:13‑16)
(Cont’d)
Why do you suppose the enemy, conquering and plundering, passed by Abram’s dwelling? Could it be that they knew of his preparedness and the strength of his whole house? Perhaps so. It is refreshing to witness a devoted Christian home, where parents are faithful in the things of God, where the Word is a much-used sword, and where all who are born into that home are taught the value and security of faith in God. Without such preparation, the devil can indeed “take captive at his will,” as many a Christian has proved to his sorrow.
Because of his preparedness, Abram was able to save Lot from total disaster. For the heart of a believer is often moved with compassion to help another child of God overtaken in sin or carelessness. God loved his errant child, too, and no true child of His can ever be taken so far away that His eye will not be upon him. In love and faithfulness he may allow His disobedient child to weep tears of bitterness and sorrow, but it is that there might be genuine repentance. Then in his own time, He will provide a means of escape.
God’s way of recovery will always be best suited to the individual need. It was through the faithfulness of another that Lot was delivered. Yet Abram did not boast of his help to his nephew, nor do we read of his chiding him as to that in his life which had led to his great difficulty. He may have exhorted him to turn from his foolish way of life and from his bad associations, and to leave the wicked surroundings in which he had placed himself. Exhorting one another in spiritual things is good and proper for the Lord’s people. “Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.” Heb. 10:2424And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (Hebrews 10:24).
But harsh and cold correction is unbecoming. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Gal. 6:1,21Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:1‑2).
We may be certain that it was in just such a spirit that Abram returned with Lot to their own land.
In this chapter, the struggle between the kings, the potsherds of the earth, the carrying off of Lot, his rescue at the hands of Abram, are all a prophetic type. In the land of Palestine there will be a mighty conflict at the end of this age, and in it the guilty people of the Lord will be involved. When the victory seems to be won that sweeps them away, the mighty power of God by a greater than Abram — Christ Himself — will interfere on their behalf.
ML 05/02/1965