Genesis14_13-17

Genesis 14:13-17

And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.

And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants , born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.

What happened was under the control of God Elohim. It was no accident that one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew. Through this, Abram was able to save his nephew Lot and the others. Meanwhile, Abram dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, who, together with Eshcol and Aner, was in alliance with him. Therefore, Abram had a stable support system, and no enemy could launch a surprise attack against him while he strove to rescue his brother. Otherwise, it might have been a far more difficult struggle for Abram.

When Abram heard that his brother had been taken captive, he armed his trained servants—those born in his own house—three hundred and eighteen in number. Since Abram was a wise and farsighted man, he prepared for any danger that might arise around him. In a sense, Abram understood the nature of the world, and he maintained strong men for protection. Perhaps, after Lot moved toward Sodom, Abram had already anticipated the need to protect him, knowing that the living conditions there were complex and dangerous. What he had done earlier in Egypt also reflected his wise understanding of the world.

Although he had only three hundred and eighteen men, Abram had enough courage and confidence to defeat the enemy and rescue his nephew. This shows that Abram cared deeply for his brother; he loved him. Therefore, he pursued the captors as far as Dan.

On one hand, it was a sudden attack; on the other hand, Abram was brave and clever. Thus he defeated the four kings at the valley of Shaveh. He brought back all the goods, and also restored his brother Lot, his possessions, the women, and the people. Even though Chedorlaomer and the kings with him were strong and fierce, they were still struck down by Abram and his trained men. Hence, however fierce and strong an enemy may be, they will fail when they strive against a people of God.

From Abram’s situation, we see that a person belonging to God Elohim is diligent and brave. It teaches us that Abram fought for his brother. Though Lot was Abram’s nephew, the text calls him “brother” here, showing that we should fight for our brothers who believe in God as we do when they are taken captive by the evil world.