Genesis 14:1-121And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; 2That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar. 3All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. 4Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 6And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El-paran, which is by the wilderness. 7And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar. 8And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim; 9With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five. 10And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain. 11And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. 12And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. (Genesis 14:1‑12)
“And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; that these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah,... Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled....” Chedorlaomer and those kings with him came again to subdue their tributaries, four kings against five, and the battle raged in the vale of Sid-dim, near the Dead Sea. “And the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there.... And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah,... and went their way. And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.”
War was not an uncommon thing, but there was something very unusual in the results of this battle. God ordered things so as to draw unmistakably the attention of all to Himself. God caused the strife to be brought close to the spot where His witness Abraham walked. There was a lesson shown then to the world, as surely there was a lesson now taught to Lot, and one which has been preserved for our instruction now.
After choosing the land that looked so promising, Lot had “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” It seems that at first he only wanted to go part way into the world—just enough to enjoy some of its pleasures and comforts without getting too deeply involved. But now it is recorded, “he dwelt in Sodom.” Dwelling nearby he soon was drawn closer to the wicked city until eventually he was involved in its affairs. Then when the enemy came, he and his family and all his possessions were carried away. Solemn warning to every child of God! The world’s affairs are not our proper occupation and the believer who exposes himself to its influence will surely be overcome by Satan. Lot did not improve Sodom; but Sodom ruined Lot. One day, like Sodom, this world with all its proud achievements will be utterly destroyed. Should we not forsake these things, dear Christian reader, and “seek those things which are above?” Colossians 3:11If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1).
Lot’s connections had taken him out of communion with the Lord and from His people, and his worldly companions being unable to help him, he was entirely at the mercy of the enemy. What a contrast he is to king David who could say in a time of trouble and danger: “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.... I will call upon the Lord who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” Psalms 18:2,32The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. (Psalm 18:2‑3).
Our chapter tells of a twelve-year period of servitude and the revolt of the oppressed. Does not this remind us that the world has long been in servitude to Satan? “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey?” Romans 6:1616Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Romans 6:16). In seeking his pleasures and satisfaction in this world, man has become a servant of Satan. His conscience at times may make him wish to be free from sin and Satan, but while Satan holds the victory, no one can in his own strength escape from him. It is only after one has realized his utter helplessness and, turning to Christ for deliverance owns Him as Saviour and Lord, that he can say: God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” Colossians 1:1313Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13).
ML 04/18/1965