October 1996
Genesis 13-14-15
We learn the background of Abraham, Sarah and Lot's travels from the land of Ur to their final settlements in Chapters 13-15 of Genesis.
Recalling earlier events, the Lord has promised to make Abraham the father of "a great nation" and told Abraham that in him "shall all families of the earth be blessed." We know that Sarah is barren of child; and the Lord has not revealed as yet how the covenant to Abraham will be fulfilled.
In the first part of the 13th chapter of Genesis we are told about the events after Abraham, Sarah and Lot have traveled to Egypt and returned. Both Abraham and Lot have each accumulated material wealth. Abraham is now described as a rich man owning a lot of cattle, silver and gold; Lot also had "flocks, and herds and tents." 13:5.
The land was apparently unable to sustain the number of livestock of both men, and their individual crews of herdsmen were unable to live without strife between the groups. For these reasons Abraham tells Lot that they should separate and live in different parts of the land so as to avoid additional strife. Abraham tells Lot to choose the land of his pleasing, and Abraham will take the other. Lot choose the plain of Jordan near the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham made his home in the land of Canaan.
It is then that the Lord further details his covenant to Abraham:
"And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him. Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever."
The Lord then continues to tell Abraham, confirming His earlier promise: "And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered." Gen. 13:14-16.
The 14th Chapter of Genesis details the war and rebellion in the following years in the lands were Abraham and Lot resided. There were several wars between and among the various kings. During one of the battles, Lot was captured. Lot and all his possessions were taken by an enemy, and the enemy took all the possessions of the city of Sodom.
One person who escaped the battle reached Abraham to tell him that his nephew had been captured and his possessions taken. Abraham armed his own 318 servants and led them to battle in an attempt to rescue Lot. We are told Abraham divided his men into divisions and attacked at night -- he defeated the enemy, rescued Lot and recovered all the possessions which had been taken, not only of Lot but the possessions which had been taken from other kings.
The king of Sodom attempted to reward Abraham personally for return of Sodom's possessions, but Abraham declined, saying he personally would not take even a shoelace, but indicating his men would take only the food they had consumed. Abraham did not want to be indebted to the king, made it clear he worked for the Lord.
Abraham told the king of Sodom: "I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth. That I will not take from thee even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me..." Gen. 14:22-24.