King's Row

Genesis 14

I don't remember this story. I'm not sure why it isn't one of the common OT tales, except that the lessons aren't quite so blatant.

There's a pretty major war- 4 kings take on another 5. I don't know any significance of any of the geography, but it sounds like quite a big deal. Sodom and Gomorrah aren't faring too well in this battle- and as they retreat, some of their men fall into tar pits- and the rest escape to the hills. While the cities are deserted, the enemies ransack them and end up capturing Lot.

When Abram hears about it, it's like a bad Steven Seagal film ( I guess that was redundant). He gets the "318 trained men born in his household" and sets to taking care of b'ness. Was he preparing for such a calamity- why the posse at home?

Without much detail, Abram's ninjas "rout" the enemy, save Lot and bring back the plunder. Enter Melchizadek- King of Jerusalem. I'm not sure why he's involved, unless he was king over Abram. It seems like he might be, since Abram gives him 1/10 of all that he comes back with- although it seems like this has more to do with Melchizadek being a high priest.

The king of Sodom offers to let Abram keep all he brought back if he'll only return the people. Abram declines- having given an oath to God and not wanting to get rich off of Sodom. He lets his men keep their share, but returns the rest.

So, what's to learn here? 1) God wants us to risk for the sake of our loved ones. Abram sticks it all out on the line when his nephew is in danger. Get involved! It would have been easy for Abram to shake his head and say...if Lot hadn't gone that way, this never would have happened. Instead, he trusts in God's care and goes and saves him. 2) Do the right thing for the right reason. Instead of profitting off the war effort, Abram doesn't forget the noble reason that led him to fight, and he refuses to compromise that rationale. 3) When you're blessed, share the wealth. This whole tithing thing is a little condemning. I don't know that God wants a meticulous accounting of what we do with our material wealth- but it seems that he expects sacrifice of some kind.

Intersting that Sodom and Gomorroah come off of as 2 of the good guys here. I wonder when they jumped the shark.