Daily Devotions
Genesis
"For by You I can run against a troop, By my God I can leap over a wall." Psalm 18:29
Text: Genesis 14:1-24
WAR IN ANCIENT TIMES
War is not a modern day phenomenon! It has always existed. Even in the days of Abram, wars were waged! We have a description of how wars were waged in ancient times.
1. A coalition of Nations
A small group of nations banded themselves together to rule weaker nations. The group of four nations was led by kings who subjugated five smaller nations. They were also led by kings (Genesis 14:1-4).
2. Rebellion of the Tributaries
For twelve years, the smaller nations paid tribute to Chedorlaomer, one of the kings of the coalition of nations. One day they decided that they would rebel against their overlords (Genesis 14:4).
3. Revenge of the overlords
Chedorlaomer took this rebellion seriously. Together with his allies a punitive task force was sent to quell the rebellion (Genesis 14:5-7).
4. Battle joined
The rebels, made up of a leadership provided by five kings met in battle in the Valley of Siddim (Genesis 14:8-9).
5. Outcome of the battle
The rebels lost the battle. The overlords, by right of conquest, took possession of all that the vanquished owned. People captured in battle often became slaves of the conquerors.
“Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah,
and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot,
Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods,
and departed.”GENESIS 14:11-12
Lot’s choice had landed him in deep trouble. The erstwhile successful and wealthy man had been captured in battle, and had now become a prisoner and a slave!
ABRAM THE HEBREW INFORMED
Somehow, one of the captives escaped. He made his way to Abram who was called “Abram the Hebrew”. (The ethnic origin of the word “Hebrew” simply means, “one descended from Eber – Cf. Genesis 11:16-17. The symbolic significance of the name must be read in this text. Abram the Hebrew was his name as he was known to his allies). What would Abram do? How should he respond to the news that his nephew who had rudely left him was in trouble? Without hesitation, Abram planned to rescue Lot!