Genesis 14: ‘I am Lot: I need a relative to rescue me’

A few weeks ago, I prayed that I might experience the truth that those in Christ are closer to us than even family members.  That evening my prayer was answered as I spent some real quality time with a couple of people from our church.  I told Caroline about this and she replied, ‘there are loads of people in the church that are as close as family to me.’  I feel the same way too!

My mother always told me that it really made her happy when myself, my brother and my sister got on well together.  I have no doubt that our Heavenly Father has an even greater desire that His children love one another.  In fact, Jesus said that by our love for each other the world would know that we are His disciples.

I think that the key word in this chapter is ‘relative’ (NIV) or ‘kinsman’ (ESV).  Abram comes to Lot’s rescue because they are family.  We will see that we have too have a close relative who comes to our rescue.

Lot ends up in captivity

Lot had settled on the plains of the Jordan.  He made the very foolish decision to move in to the city of Sodom.  That choice would cost him the respect of his daughters and the life of his wife.  It also caused him problems when the kings of the Jordan valley, including the king of Sodom, decided to go to war against their overlords of Mesopotamia (the region around modern Iraq).  This rebellion was crushed and Lot was taken captive along with his possessions.

‘I am Lot’.  ‘You are Lot’.  We were captives who needed someone to set us free!

We could talk about the captivity of sin—we can change our behaviour to some extent, but without Christ we can’t deal with the twist of our hearts. 

We could talk about the captivity of conscience—how can we make up for all the selfish and hateful things that we have done?

We could talk about the captivity of doom—we can make our lives look successful, but without Christ we are heading for an eternity separated from God and all his goodness.

Who will set us free? 

Abram is the relative who rescues

‘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.  And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus.  Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people’ (14-16).

Some sceptical theologians in the last century doubted the reality of this account asking, ‘how could such a small army win a battle against the combined forces of Mesopotamia?’  I think that is the whole point!  The battle belongs to the Lord!  What looked small and insignificant brought about a great victory. 

This battle points ahead to that moment where a small army of one man, a carpenter from a backwater of the Roman empire, stood with incalculable courage, before the haters among his own people and the soldiers of the land that occupied them, was sent to a cross of shame and in the darkness won a victory that would set many captives free.

Do we live in freedom or are we still acting like a captive?

The gospel tells us that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, but do you fear that He stops loving you every time we fall into sin?  The gospel tells you that God’s grace is made perfect in weakness, but are you too proud to let your Christian brothers and sisters see that you need help?  The gospel tells you that you are saved by grace apart from works, but do you secretly think you are more deserving of Christ’s rescuing kindness that some other people you know?

Christ has set the captives free!  Don’t let your fear or pride rob you of enjoying that freedom!

Melchizedek is the king who gives God the credit

When Abram returns Melchizedek comes and brings him bread and wine.  Melchizedek is the king of Salem—which means ‘peace’ and is later called Jerusalem—meaning ‘city of peace’.

Melchizedek is not only a king, he is a priest of God Most High.  The book of Hebrews explains that Jesus, who was not from the priestly tribe of Levi, is a priest in the order of Melchizedek.  Melchizedek blesses Abram and acknowledges that it was God who gave Abram victory.  Abram declares his allegiance to Melchizedek through giving him a tithe.

But there is another king in this story.  The king of Sodom.  The king of Sodom says, ‘give me the persons, and take the possessions for yourself’ (21).  ‘The king of Sodom is trying to direct matters, trying to bring Abram and under his authority and sway’ (Davis).  Every day we have choices to make between choosing the city of Salem or the city of Sodom.

Abram would not accept any situation where the king of Sodom could say, ‘I made Abram rich.’  God had promised to bless him and give him a kingdom.  God does not need the help of anyone.  Jesus said ‘I will build my church’.  He might use us in building His kingdom, but if we remain silent, He can raise up someone else.  While it is good to be thankful for those who bring His truth and mercy into our lives, we must not forget that it is His truth and His mercy. 

Conclusion

This passage is the first picture in the Old Testament of the idea of the ‘kinsman-redeemer’.  The kinsman-redeemer is a close relative who comes to rescue you from debt, slavery or captivity.  The laws concerning the kinsman-redeemer will be spelled out in the book of Leviticus and the principle will be beautifully portrayed for us in the little book of Ruth.  

Christ is the kinsman-redeemer who has set the captives free.

I know some of your stories.  I know that for some of you it’s relatives or kinsmen who have caused the most hurt in your lives.  There have been absent fathers, critical mothers and brothers and sisters who don’t like you.  Jesus comes to heal that pain.  He is the father who sees you on the horizon and comes running to embrace you.  He is the mother who will never forget her young.  He is the shepherd who holds His lambs close to His heart.  He has your name engraved on the palm of His hand.  He died for us while you were still His enemies, and now He is not ashamed to call you brother or sister. 

Now let us delight our Father’s heart as we love each other well.  Like Abram may we come to the rescue of our family—especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Let us be the look on His face, the touch of His hand, the sound of His voice, the picture of His presence, and the visible demonstration of His faithfulness as we care for each other (adapted from Tripp, Suffering).  Let us pray for the grace to do it in love, for without love we gain nothing.

‘I am Lot’.  ‘You are Lot’.  Our kinsman-redeemer, has rescued us from a life marked by guilt, shame and with no real direction.  He now calls us His to be a rescuing presence as we care for our brothers and sisters in need.  May we know the ministry of the Holy Spirit and may we minister in the Holy Spirit.  Amen.