They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom. One who had escaped came and reported this to Abram. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre, the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people. After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14:12-20, NIV)

Summary: Even though Lot had abused Abram by taking the best of the land for himself, Abram risked his life and all that he had to save his brother from destruction.

There was bad blood between the household of Abram and the household of Lot. The situation had become so tense that they had to separate themselves from each other. Abram took the high road and gave Lot first choice of the land. Lot, who clearly seems to have thought that he was the victim, took the very best of the land. But this meant that he wound up living in sinful Sodom. Our text picks up the story by reminding its readers of this fact.

God showed his displeasure with Lot by having him and all of his possessions captured by raiding parties from nearby city-states.

When Abram heard the report of his nephews capture, he responded by sending out his most faithful men, trained in military arts, to save Lot and regain his possessions. The fact that Abram had 318 militia men in his household gives us an idea of the extent of his wealth. The total number of people residing with Abram probably numbered over 1,000. The willingness of his men to risk their lives for him shows us the respect Abram had from his servants.

Abrams men executed a brilliant night raid on those who had taken Lot captive. They traveled a long distance from Sodom to Hobah, north of Damascus and snuck up on the raiders in the dark. They rescued Lot, his wives, and his possessions. Gods promise that Abram would be blessed and be a blessing to others was coming true. To bless means to provide life, prosperity, security, comfort and consolation to another and this is exactly what Abram did for Lot.

Two very different kings came out to greet Abram on his return from his victory: the king of Sodom and the king of Salem. Abram ignored the king of Sodom, but received a blessing from the king of Salem, who was a priest of God Most High. This blessing was a reaffirmation of the covenant God had made with Abram and reiterated the fact that Abram was becoming the blessing God had promised.

Application: What does the text mean for us in our cultural context?

Whoever sows to the flesh will from the flesh reap corruption (Galatians 6:8). Lot sowed to his selfish, sinful flesh by taking the best of the land from Abram and dwelling in sinful Sodom. As a result, he reaped the social and moral chaos that ensued. On the other hand, Whoever sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap life everlasting. Abram sowed to the Spirit of humility and meekness and acted on behalf of his estranged nephew. He risked his life and all that he had on behalf of Lot even though Lot had been so selfish. As a result, he received renewed blessing from Melchizedek, priest of the Most High God.

As we have seen before in Genesis, the key question Cain asked, Am I my brothers keeper? is answered one more time in this book: Yes, a true man of God is his brothers keeper. This applies even to estranged brothers who have hurt us and alienated themselves from us.

To be our brothers keeper means to guarantee their wellbeing, to bless them by assuring their life, prosperity, security, comfort and consolation, even if it means sacrificing all that we have in the process. Abram risked his entire estateeven his own lifeto guarantee the wellbeing of his nephew, his brother, Lotand this, in spite of the fact that they were estranged from each other. In this sense, Abram shows in what manner and to what extent Gods people are to bless their brothers.

This story also demonstrates that God will always provide the means to be the blessing he calls us to be. In Abrams case, God provided 318 militia men to help in the rescue. God will always provide for us when we step out in faith to bless those in need (2 Corinthians 9:8).

In return for being a blessing, we, like Abram receiving the blessing of Melchizedek, receive both the blessing of God and the blessing of those around us.

Teach: How do we communicate these truths in a way that our audience understands them, remembers them, and responds to them appropriately?

The mission of New Commandment Mens Ministries is to train men to bless the widowed and single parents: to provide life, prosperity, security, comfort and consolation to them. Like Abram, we are in a covenant relationship with God and our fellow believers. Our covenant is the New Covenant and we are commanded to love God and love each other as Christ has loved us. To the question, Am I my brothers keeper? we respond with Abram, as men of God, with a resounding Yes!

But like Abram, some of our care receivers can make poor choices. Everyone has a Lot to think about. Who are the Lots among us? If our care receivers make poor choices, does that mean we are no longer responsible to help them when they reap the consequences of their behavior? Abrams rescue of Lot suggests otherwise.

Challenge your men to think in terms of this covenant they have with God and what the implications are for a man of God who wants to do Gods will and love those around him, especially fellow believers in need. Talk about what it means to lay down our lives for the brethren as John states in 1 John 3:16.

Remind your men of how the Lord has provided what you need to serve your widowed and single parents so far. Be specific and challenge your men to take even greater steps of faith in serving those in your church and community who are in need.

And as Abram received the blessing of those around him, ask your men if others are noticing their good deeds toward their care receivers. Jesus taught us to Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Your men should be becoming renowned in your community for their faithful, committed love.

Discussion Questions

1. How would you describe Lot spiritually?
2. In what way could Abram have benefited by the removal of Lot from the land?
3. In what way did Abram prove that he was “his brother’s keeper”?
4. Do you have a “Lot” in your life? How has that person made your life difficult?
5. How do you think God wants you to respond to this person?
6. Are you sometimes tempted to turn your back on him?
7. What do you think God wants you to do instead?
8. How does obeying God in this situation bring blessing into you?