Part 1 - Genesis 14:1-16 - BUZZ LIKEYOU TO THE RESCUE!
My grandson hits the ground running in the morning. He will come in at 5am while I am having my quietime and startle me by saying "Pa, you be Zurg!" and thrust into my hands an action figure with horns, piercing eyes and cape. My grandson plays the part of BUZZ LIKEYOU (I think the name is supposed to be Buzz Lightyear, but I kind of like the idea of Buzz having the name "Likeyou" so I have given up trying to correct this - imagine an action figure that actually likes you). Of course Buzz doesn't have horns. I am always cast as the bad guy, THE EVIL EMPEROR ZURG. Zurg has the fire power of a small army attached to his arm but it makes no difference. I am always defeated by Buzz Likeyou who likes everyone except the evil emporer Zurg. I suppose that's a good thing, but not at 5am. "Zion Brave", I say, "go back to bed until the sun comes up at least." He goes in to our bedroom and Nanny tells him stories of Bible heroes or he goes back to sleep beside her until it gets light.
IN GENESIS 14:1-24 WAR BREAKS OUT! This is the first war mentioned in the Bible and Lot is in the middle of it. Now there's an interesting name. Lot by name and he wanted a lot by nature. He's the nephew of Abram and he's camped near Sodom and Gomorrah with his family, a lot of livestock, lot's of servants - the lot (I know. I couldn't help it. Who names their child "Lot"?). Anyway, that's the reason he get's caught up in the battle (not because of his name but because of his position. Position myself beside Sodom and Gomorrah's kind of wickedness and I am inviting unnecessary trouble.)
It all looks good and the land is fertile and lush, but you don't want to be in Sodom when Kedorlaomer comes (the evil emporer Zurg). You see SODOM IS A VASSAL CITY (servant city) of King Kedorlaomer. They have probably been forced by their suzerain overlord, Kedorlaomer, to pay tribute money (usually 10%. Tithing to kings was common in the ancient world), and they have refused and rebelled. Even evil people rebel against tithing.
King Kedorlaomer decides to assert his authority and brings his army to lay waste to the city and bring it back under his control. Genesis 14:10 (NLT) says, "as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits," (I presume that means their chariots got stuck or swallowed by these tar pits. What a way to go! Was it hot tar? Uggh. Maybe they just fell into these pits in order to hide), "while the rest escaped into the mountains. The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. They also captured Lot-Abram's nephew who lived in Sodom-and carried off everything he owned." (Genesis 14:11-12 NLT)They took the lot. Lot was left with nothing. There are consequences to choosing to get too close to wickedness. Slavery! Wickedness always enslaves.
NOW "BUZZ LIKEYOU" COMES TO THE RESCUE! Abram is no wimp. He quickly mobilizes "318 trained men who had been born into his household." (Genesis 14:14). The fact that they were trained means that Abram was always prepared for battle. I need to have that kind of readiness in the spiritual battles I face as a Christian - A PREPAREDNESS - ahead of time for what I may face.
It also shows how many people were in Abram's entourage. He catches up with Kedorlaomer's army at Dan, divides up his men and attacks during the night. Kedorlaomer's army don't know what hit them and they run for their lives. Abram recovers all the goods that had been taken, and brings back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.
How does this apply to me Lord?
BE PREPARED SPIRITUALLY, because the battles will come.
BE ALERT TO THE OPPORTUNITIES around me to help someone who needs my help, especially if they need to be set free from the slavery of their old life, and find freedom to live by serving Christ. The truth is we will be serving something or someone. I choose to serve Christ and my God who created me and has the best plan for my life.
BE ALIGNED WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF PEOPLE. Abram aligned himself with people who could help when things got tough. He even trained them. I went to a prayer meeting this morning with about 40 other people. I choose to align myself with God's warriors in prayer.
BE RESPONSIBLE for others in terms of care. Abram didn't have to help, but he did. When someone is enslaved by their sin, drugs, immorality, we have a responsibility to help them.
Galatians 6:1 (NLT) says "Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself."
BE STRATEGIC. Abram planned the rescue of Lot. If we are going to rescue those who are lost and don't know Christ, then we need a strategy.
BE INVOLVED PERSONALLY. Not just train people and send them out with a plan, but be involved personally.
BE GENEROUS. Abram returned everyone and everything to Sodom that was taken. He didn't have to. He was generous and unselfish towards non-Christians
Micah 6:8 (NLT) puts it this way "... the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
What happens next is intriguing but it will have to wait for another time.
God bless you Church as you are prepared, alert, aligned, strategic, responsible, involved and generous.
Pastor Ross
