Read Genesis 14:1-17. What is significant about this war taking place just after the gift of the Promised Land? What does this story teach us about Abram?

This is the first war narrated in the Scriptures (Genesis 14:2). The coalition of four armies from Mesopotamia and Persia against the other coalition of five Canaanite armies, including the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 14:8), suggest a large conflict (Genesis 14:9).

Image © Ron Bell at Goodsalt.com

The reason for this military operation has to do with the fact that the Canaanite peoples had rebelled against their Babylonian suzerains (Genesis 14:4-5). Although this story refers to a specific historical conflict, the timing of this “global” war, just after God’s gift of the Promised Land to Abram, gives this event a particular spiritual significance.

The involvement of so many peoples from the country of Canaan suggests that the issue at stake in this conflict was about sovereignty over the land. Ironically, the camp of Abram, the truly interested party, because he is the only true owner of the land, is the only force that remains outside of the conflict, at least at first.

The reason for Abram’s neutrality is that for Abram, the Promised Land was not acquired through the force of arms or through the wisdom of political strategies. Abram’s kingdom was God’s gift. The only reason Abram will intervene is the fate of his nephew Lot, who was taken prisoner in the course of the battles (Genesis 14:12-13).

“Abraham, dwelling in peace in the oak groves at Mamre, learned from one of the fugitives the story of the battle and the calamity that had befallen his nephew. He had cherished no unkind memory of Lot’s ingratitude. All his affection for him was awakened, and he determined that he should be rescued. Seeking, first of all, divine counsel, Abraham prepared for war.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 135.

But Abram does not confront the whole coalition. In what must have been a quick and nocturnal commando operation, he attacks only the camp where Lot was held prisoner. Lot is saved. Thus, this faithful man of God also showed great courage and fortitude. No doubt his influence in the region grew, and people saw the kind of man he was and learned something more of the God whom he served.

<–Tuesday Thursday–>

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This video is produced by the South Pacific Division Discipleship team.

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You can view an in-depth discussion of The Roots of Abraham; in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. Click on the image to view:
With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

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Read Genesis 13:1-18. What does this story teach us about the importance of character?

Abram returns to where he was before, as if his trip to Egypt were a mere unfortunate detour. God’s history with Abram starts again, where it had stopped since his first trip to the Promised Land. Abram’s first station is Bethel (Genesis 13:3), just as in his first trip to the land (Genesis 12:3-6). Abram has repented and is back to “himself”: Abram, the man of faith.

Image © Suzana Tomovska from GoodSalt.com

Abram’s reconnection with God shows already in his relationship with people, in the way that he handles the problem with Lot, his nephew, concerning the use of the land. However, it is Abram himself who proposes a peaceful agreement and allows Lot to choose first (Genesis 13:9-10), an act of generosity and kindness, indicative of the kind of man Abram was.

The fact that Lot chose the easiest and best part for himself, the well-watered plain (Genesis 13:10-11), without any concern about the wickedness of his future neighbors (Genesis 13:13) reveals something about his greediness and character. The phrase “for himself” reminds us of the antediluvians, who also chose “for themselves” (see Genesis 6:2).

In contrast, Abram’s move was an act of faith. Abram did not choose the land; it was given to him by God’s grace. Unlike Lot, Abram looked at the land only at God’s injunction (Genesis 13:14-15). It is only when Abram separates from Lot that God speaks to him again (). In fact, this is the first recorded time in the Bible that God speaks to Abram since his call at Ur. “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are — northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever” (Genesis 13:14-15, , NKJV). God, then, invites Abram to “walk” on this land as an act of appropriation. “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you” (Genesis 13:17, NKJV).

The Lord, though, makes it very clear that He, God, is giving it to Abram. It is a gift, a gift of grace, which Abram must appropriate by faith, a faith that leads to obedience. It is the work of God alone that will bring about all that He has promised to Abram here (see Genesis 13:14-17).

<–Monday Wednesday–>

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Join the Hit the Mark Sabbath School Panel as they have a lively, interactive discussion of the week’s lesson, “The Roots of Abraham.”

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