Gen 14:13 | KingComments | STEP | Abram has no battle. He keeps his distance from conflicts that do not concern him ( ). He also has nothing to lose, for he has the promises of God, which cannot be taken away from him. Also, as a stranger and pilgrim, someone from the other side – he is here emphatically called “Abram the Hebrew” – he has nothing to do with the political situation around him. He lives “by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite”, which speaks of endurance, of which the oak is the symbol, and of vitality or fatness, which is the meaning of the word “Mamre”. Abram lives at the place where strength is obtained for battle. When he hears of the fate of Lot, who is meaningfully called “his brother,” he takes action and interferes in the battle. The only thing he has in mind is the liberation of his brother Lot. A brother may have wandered so far, but love will come into action with brothers who live like Abram in fellowship with God and hear of the miserable situation of that brother. Lot is a believer, although in Genesis nothing is seen of it. In 2 Peter 2 it is said three times of him that he is a righteous one ( ). But how sad his life is. Such believers are there today. What is my reaction when I hear that they are in circumstances that require help? Abram is not only a separated man himself, but all those who belong to his house are too. They are “his trained men” and are born in his house. These trained men, that is, trained in the use of weapons, have not only been taught in warfare, but also in the principles of religion, for Abram has commanded his house to keep the way of the LORD ( ). As appears later ( ), Abram also asked his neighbors, who are his allies ( ), to join him in the battle. In this battle Abram proceeds with wisdom. He know about warfare. He divides his men, to attack the enemy from different sides at the same time. Later Gideon and his small band do the same ( ). By doing so, Abram gives the impression that his small army is a large army. To surprise them he attacks them by night. The real power is in his faith. Because he has not connected himself with the world, he can overcome the world ( ). Then there is the spiritual strength to liberate a brother from the influence of Sodom and Sinear. Abram is an example of men of faith “who by faith conquered kingdoms” ( ). The fact that Lot ultimately learned nothing from his capture and liberation, but returns to Sodom, does not make Abram’s action any less significant. Any entanglement in which a brother finds himself must lead us to take action to liberate him, regardless of how he lives on. That is his responsibility. We cannot commit others to us. We must trust the liberated to the Lord.

‏ Genesis 14:13

Abram Delivers Lot

Abram has no battle. He keeps his distance from conflicts that do not concern him (Pro 26:17). He also has nothing to lose, for he has the promises of God, which cannot be taken away from him. Also, as a stranger and pilgrim, someone from the other side – he is here emphatically called “Abram the Hebrew” – he has nothing to do with the political situation around him. He lives “by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite”, which speaks of endurance, of which the oak is the symbol, and of vitality or fatness, which is the meaning of the word “Mamre”. Abram lives at the place where strength is obtained for battle.

When he hears of the fate of Lot, who is meaningfully called “his brother,” he takes action and interferes in the battle. The only thing he has in mind is the liberation of his brother Lot. A brother may have wandered so far, but love will come into action with brothers who live like Abram in fellowship with God and hear of the miserable situation of that brother. Lot is a believer, although in Genesis nothing is seen of it. In 2 Peter 2 it is said three times of him that he is a righteous one (2Pet 2:7-8). But how sad his life is. Such believers are there today. What is my reaction when I hear that they are in circumstances that require help?

Abram is not only a separated man himself, but all those who belong to his house are too. They are “his trained men” and are born in his house. These trained men, that is, trained in the use of weapons, have not only been taught in warfare, but also in the principles of religion, for Abram has commanded his house to keep the way of the LORD (Gen 18:19). As appears later (Gen 14:24), Abram also asked his neighbors, who are his allies (Gen 14:13), to join him in the battle.

In this battle Abram proceeds with wisdom. He know about warfare. He divides his men, to attack the enemy from different sides at the same time. Later Gideon and his small band do the same (Jdg 7:16). By doing so, Abram gives the impression that his small army is a large army. To surprise them he attacks them by night.

The real power is in his faith. Because he has not connected himself with the world, he can overcome the world (1Jn 5:4). Then there is the spiritual strength to liberate a brother from the influence of Sodom and Sinear. Abram is an example of men of faith “who by faith conquered kingdoms” (Heb 11:33a).

The fact that Lot ultimately learned nothing from his capture and liberation, but returns to Sodom, does not make Abram’s action any less significant. Any entanglement in which a brother finds himself must lead us to take action to liberate him, regardless of how he lives on. That is his responsibility. We cannot commit others to us. We must trust the liberated to the Lord.