Gen. 14, with further thoughts on vs. 21
“And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.”
Since the king of Sodom is a type of Satan and his inducements the lusts of the world, it is not strange to hear him say to Abram: “Give me the persons.” Satan will readily leave man with every material benefit prosperity, business or social success, the world’s acclaim, or whatever else may keep him occupied—if he can but have “his person.” Tragically, the one who has followed these things to the neglect of his soul will someday learn that he is “sold under the sin” (Rom. 7:1414For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (Romans 7:14)).
If the reader is one who lives in careless pursuit of what this world offers, ponder this solemn quotation: “For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:2525For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (Luke 9:25). Turn to Him whose invitation is “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28).
Should not Christian parents think too of Satan’s subtlety in approaching them with this same request: “Give me the persons and take the goods to thyself?” It is not likely that he will now use these same words, but the object of his appeal will be the same. Well he knows the result of persuading a parent to decide it is safe to neglect the little ones “for a little time” while getting ahead in the world. Thus the children, neglected even though loved, learn Satan’s ways and are snatched up by him. When parents tardily endeavor to turn them into the ways of truth and life, the effort often appears sadly fruitless. Many a Christian parent has suffered anguish of heart on account of neglect of their children.
It is not necessarily a degraded, sinful life that results from being a servant of Satan. One may be molly upright in every outward appearance, may follow “the golden rule” in his behavior and be a model citizen in every other respect; even, perhaps, an active participant in religious activities, and yet have given “his peon” to Satan in exchange for “the goods of this world.” How many there are who think they are masters of their own lives, making their own choices as to pleasure and the affairs of this world, who are not ruling their own lives at all. Satan is ruling and dictating the way for them, but with so much subtlety that they are deceived into thinking everything is of their own ordering. Is this not tragic?
How is it with you, dear reader? Are you so well satisfied with earthly progress, earthly pleasures and activities as to never have a thought of eternity? Have you ever faced the issue of God’s appraisal of this world and thought how He is someday going to bring it into terrible judgment? Where, then, will you be when His judgment falls? God invites all to “Flee from the wrath to come” and to turn to Christ the Saviour of sinners, “while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:1313But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13).
Abraham’s household reflected his faithfulness, which kept them near the Lord and safe from the enemy. May every believing parent seek through grace to walk the path of faithfulness to God.
ML 05/23/1965