A. THE CONSEQUENCES OF WAR: GEN. 14:1-16
“Four kings from the Euphrates valley invaded Palestine and won a battle against three kings there. The kings in Palestine had paid taxes to the four kings for 12 years. When they quit paying taxes the four kings invaded them. Not only did they destroy the three kings, they also destroyed the other city kingdoms in surrounding areas. When the battle raged by the Dead Sea, the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah escaped. The invading army gathered all the wealth they could find and started home” (Gen. 14:1-11, Amplified).
1. Even the place God leads us and gives us is surrounded with danger. “I will give this land” (12:7).
2. Greed and evil of others influences God’s people. “War broke out in the region” (14:1, NLT).
3. People we think are good can do evil things. King Chedorlaomer is King Hamarobbi who wrote the code.
4. Observers get hurt when people fight. The four nation invaders also conquered the Rephaites, the Zuzites, the Emites, the Horites, and the people of Kadesh, the Amalekites, and the Amorites (14:5-7).
5. Backsliding believers suffer the consequences of sinners, “They also captured Lot – Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom – and took everything he owned” (14:14).
B. LOT’S FALL TO SLAVERY (BOTH PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL)
1. He was influenced by Abram, his older and spiritual mentor.
2. Because of Abram’s sin and God’s judgment, both Abram and Lot got rich (13:1-2, 5).
3. Fought over possessions. “There was strife between the herdsmen” (13:11).
4. Chose selfishly and didn’t honor aged Abram.
5. Chose based on the lust of the eyes. “Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan” (13:11).
6. Left the influence of godly Abram. “Lot . . . separated” (13:11).
7. Lot identified with the world, (God told Abram to separate from). “Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent . . . in Sodom” (13:12).
8. What God thought of Lot’s friends. “The men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord” (13:13).
9. After a judgmental warning from God, Lot returned to Sodom.
10. Lot had status as a city official in Sodom. “Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom” (19:1).
11. Willing to sacrifice his family to sinners. ”Lot said, ‘I have two virgin daughters, do with them as you wish, but leave those men (angels) alone’” (14:8, NLT).
12. When facing God’s second judgment warning, he asked for a compromise. “I cannot go to the mountains (where Abram lived) . . . see there is a small village nearby. Please let me go there instead” (14:19-20, NLT).
13. Lot hurt his family; he lost his wife because of compromise. “Lot’s wife looked back . . . she became a pillar of salt” (14:26).
14. His daughters committed incest with Lot. “Let us get him drunk . . . then we will sleep with him . . . preserve our family line” (14:32, NLT).
C. THE COURAGE OF FAITH
1. God’s providence brought a message to Abram. “One of the prisoners escaped and came to tell Abram that Lot was captured” (14:13, ELT).
2. Get help when facing a big dangerous task. “When Abram learned . . . he called together the men . . . 318 in all” (14:14, ELT).
3. Get others who enjoy freedom. “Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol, and Aner” (14:13). These were family tribes living in the mountains.
4. Swift action comes from a determined heart. Abram “chased . . . until he caught up with them” (14:14).
5. Abram did not rationalize. “Lot got what he deserved.” Family is important.
6. Use a strategy when outnumbered. “Abram divided his men” (14:15, ELT).
7. Used surprise. Abram, “attacked during the night from several directions” (14:15, ELT).
8. A battle is not over till it is over. “Abram chased them to” (14:15, ELT).
9. A victory is not won until you have accomplished what sent you to battle. “So he (Abram) brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people” (14:16).
10. After a spiritual battle, some become stronger, others become weaker.
Abram: “The Word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision” (15:1).
Lot: Returned to Sodom, and became deeper involved.
Lot’s wife: Remained focused on Sodom.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
All PBC lessons are available online at trbc.org/pbc. Go to www.Hopenow.tv for the current program schedule.
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Dr. Towns' email is ELTowns@liberty.edu
Dr. Towns’ web address is www.elmertowns.com
