Genesis 14:13 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Genesis 14:13

Comments

Abram was told what had happened – this is the only time he is called Abram the Hebrew, a name thought to be derived from Eber his ancestor – and, when he heard that Lot was taken captive, he armed his trained servants born in his own house (his dwelling place – tents), all 318 of them. What an act of courage based on faith! Moved of God evidently, perhaps, in answer to prayer, he was going to go and chase Chedorlaomer and with 318 men only, and he was going to seize back Lot and his possessions. Abram was between Bethel and Ai, just north of what would be Jerusalem, and he pursued the four invading kings as far as Dan. Abram divides his group and attacks by night. God is with him, and his enemies do not know, presumably, that Abram's band is so small, so that the remains of Chedorlaomer 's army flee, and he pursues them. We are told that he went as far as Dan, but not necessarily Dan right up in the North. This may be Dan about 15 to 20 miles away from the southern end of the Dead Sea, referred to in 2 Samuel. He seems to have followed them, waiting for an opportunity to strike, realising that since they greatly outnumbered him, he must use stealth in order to defeat them. He brought back all the goods and his brother Lot. The word ‘brother’ is being used in the looser sense of relative. That is the background to something very significant that happens next.

Application

Faith makes those who are naturally timid to have great courageous because they know that the Lord is with them. They approach difficult tasks with prayer and reliance on the Lord. Even though Lot had separated himself from Abram, he still loved him and saw himself as personally responsible for his safety. Abram therefore risked his life for his ‘brother’. He overcame any fear that he had by the knowledge that what he was doing was what God would have him do. Self-defence is approved by Scripture. In the absence of any properly constituted authority that Abram could turn to for help, he took matters into his own hands. We are sometimes placed by God in extremities which seem to place the whole burden on us. Abram was not used to fighting, and this is the only recorded incident of it in his life. Though believers are people of peace, they are not unable to take up arms and deal with those who offer them violence, but normally this must be done through the God ordained authorities.

The destruction of Sodom took place after this event. God had delivered some from this evil city as a result of Abram’s action. God sometime shows mercy to the wicked for the sake of the righteous. Nevertheless the people of the city learnt nothing from this warning and deliverance and returned to their evil ways, so that in the future God would judge them again without remedy.

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Genesis 14:13 Commentary and Bible Study