Attracted To God’s Goodness

“When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people. After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself." But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.' I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share" (Genesis 14:14-24, ESV).

What attracts us usually?

Is there a person that caught our attention? Is it his/her appearance, or the attitude or behavior, or both, that we are interested?

Do we also find a particular place attractive? Or a certain job, career, or work?

But, why are we attracted?

We are attracted to anything or anyone, because we are interested not on its negative aspect. Rather, we are attracted of its goodness.

And what do we do, if we realize or see the goodness of something or someone? If it’s a place, we want to visit it and even live in it. If it’s a person, we want to be in his/her company, even be our life partner. If it’s a food, we want to eat again and again.

Today, we will explore our topic…ATTRACTED TO GOD’S GOODNESS, as we focus on our text (Gen. 14:14-24).

Will there be an effect, if someone has tasted or he is being attracted to the Goodness of God? Will he do something different, if he has some idea of Divine Goodness or Greatness? So, what could we observe on the person, who has been exposed or being drawn to a unique and higher level of experience – being attracted to God’s Goodness?

After the separation of Abraham and Lot, we read now in chapter 14 the first war recorded in the Scripture.

In the early verses of the chapter, we noted that four kings invaded the kings of the five cities. One of those cities was Sodom, wherein Abraham’s nephew was now residing.

“The conquerors thereupon plundered the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, and carried off Lot, who dwelt in Sodom, and all his possessions, along with the rest of the captives…”

We see the initial ill-effect of the wrong choice of Lot living in sinful environment. But in our passage this time, we could also have a picture of one, who has been attracted to the goodness of God. And that was reflected in the character or action(s) displayed by Abraham.

What are those characteristics of one, who has been exposed or being attracted to the Goodness of God?

I – ACTIVE CONCERN FOR OTHERS (vv. 14-16).

We read verses 14-16, “When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.”

When Abraham realized that his nephew, Lot, was held captive, he led his men to save him at once. He did not just worry for his condition. He did not hesitate to help actively. But it was not a reckless or thoughtless action. He believed he could do something to help. He had “trained men,” who guarded and defended his possessions.

Though he did not know the number of his enemies, he could have trusted God that could bring victory to his men. So, they won. Lot was saved “with his possession, and the women and the people.”

So, when Abraham saw the helplessness of someone, he was not just concern about it. He acted to help. And swiftly.