Genesis 14:1-16

This passage has given a window into the turbulent events of world politics in the time of Abram. We are given no room to mistake the context in which Abram finds himself. Perhaps some people have a feeling the spiritual life is an opportunity just to wonder into green fields and enjoy life. Was it that simple for Abram? Did he just walk into the land and enjoy the promise the moment God delivered it? The story in point shouts a resounding 'no' in answer to this question. The world was a turbulent place. Everyone was positioning themselves for the next opportunity to extend their kingdoms, increase their power, amass wealth and dominate others. It must have been a terrifying time to live in.

Abram's family became victims of this terror. Lot is carried off into captivity with all his possessions, wives, children and other relatives. We can only surmise about the likely atrocities that were inflicted on the vulnerable members of Lots party. These events are deeply troubling.

The response to this situation feeds the biblical theme of rescue. Abram will not stand by in face of this great evil but rallies his troops and embarks on a journey to return all that his been taken. He is indignant in the face of injustice and was determined to restore Lot to his home.

I can hear the question in many people's mind. How is what these King's did to Lot any different to the what Israel did to Canaan? How is Abram's cause any more just than the cause of the people that resisted and fought Israel as they marched into land? It is a question I have often wrestled with. In the face of it however I have to reflect on the journey Israel travelled. The people of Canaan were never just displaced because God needed a home for the nation he was raising up. Israel was subject to mistreatment and slavery at the hand of their enemies for over 400 years before God finally pronounced judgment of a wicked people. Long before Israel ventured into the promise land God has said that he would not remove the inhabitants of the land because their sin had not reached its fullness. When God finally does commission his people to cross the borders of Canaan he declares that it is not because of their righteousness but because of the wickedness of those living in the land that this act was just. In other words God proclaims loudly that Israel should not be proud, empire building, arrogant militants. They should realise that this is God's judgement for a very limited window in history. What took place was with great reluctance and with the single purpose of creating a force in the world that would bless every tribe, tongue and nation.

So back to the story. Somehow Abram's small band of men manages to rout the army of this alliance of Kings and recovers everything that was taken from him. I wonder if their is something of a Kingdom message concealed within the words of this story. The underdog that put right a great injustice. The unknown hero who crushed the cruel grip of a dark Kingdom. It is a story that resounds with hope for the vulnerable. It is a message of freedom for the captives. It is surely a message that those that belong to the family of the promise can hope even when every reason for them to do so may have melted away. Perhaps it is also a message for those who have wandered away from the promise? After all it was Lot who wandered off to Sodom in the first place. Lot had walked away from the man of the promise. He thought he could build his own Kingdom, do it his own way, found his own nation. Grace triumphs in the end and despite his attempt to go it alone, despite his self belief, the promise comes and rescues him from the enemy. I don't think it will be the first time we see that pattern.

It is amazing how persistent the promise can be in the lives of those that refuse to believe. God's grace, his rescue, his love just keeps coming after us even when we've abandoned it. Lot just cannot get away from from God's providence. Lets be clear here - the hero of the story isn't Abram - it is God. We are told in no uncertain terms that this victory Abram won was most certainly a divine intervention:

"And blessed be the God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." (v20)

So God stood up for captives, he fought for the vulnerable and he made it clear to the world that his promise would advance despite their attempt to weild power, intimidate and dominate.

I think we should reflect on our own faith journey in light of this story. If we really want to hope in the promise of God we can be confident it will be messy. Intimidation will loom at every corner. Believing God is never without opposition. God's heart beat must constantly be worked out in a turbulent and rebellious world that will resist his passion to bless. Will we hang on and believe God?