Reclaiming the Truth
“In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 4 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon-tamar.
8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim 9 with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five. 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. 11 So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. 12 They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.
13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.” – Genesis 14.1-16
Redeeming the Time
This probably is not a passage many of us have read often, and there are a lot of names that we don’t recognize. As Genesis 14 begins, you, like me, may find yourself wondering if you missed part of the story. Who are these kings, and why am I being told about them? Then, in verse 12, we see why this narrative is important. Lot, the nephew of Abram, has been captured and carried off with these foreign kings. The stage has been set for a rescue.
This is a story that reminds us of the love, pursuit, rescue and redemption of our great God. As we sit in this narrative together this week, I trust that a text that seems to raise more questions than answers will provide great encouragement as we seek to remember and celebrate the redemption of our Savior. I trust each of us will be encouraged and challenged by both Lot and Abram, but ultimately that we would worship God who has redeemed and continues to rescue us from ourselves.
Reflection
- What jumps out to you about this story?
- When was a time you found yourself in need of rescuing, like Lot?
- How has God used other people in your life as agents of His rescue plan in the past?
- Has there been a time in your life when God has used you to rescue someone who has been taken captive in some way?
- How does this story encourage you today as you reflect on God’s redemptive love?
Resting in His Redemption
Write a prayer of thanksgiving in response to God’s redemptive love.
Take a couple minutes and listen to Lauren Daigle’s song “Rescue” as you reflect on how God has rescued you.
