The Amazing Abraham
No 5 The Power of faith Gen 14

Pastor Jack Anderson

Introduction. Gen 13, Abram has returned to the land of Promise after his wanderings in the land of Egypt.

1. The Saints Sad Plight v 12

Gen 12. Abram sets out to walk The Path of Faith

Gen 13 Abram is shown The Prize for Faith

Gen 14 Abram displays The Power of Faith

In this chapter, ten kings are mentioned. Only one of them is the King of Righteousness, and he does not appear to the very end. Gen 14, is a cameo of all history, with its kings and their conflicts.

All conflict will come to a conclusion, when God's true and righteous king, the Lord Jesus Christ returns to earth, to judge all Nations and to set up His righteous kingdom on earth. On that day, the Glory of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea!

Gen 14 records the first battle in recorded history. This is most interesting and a very important chapter, for it is also a chapter of first mentions.

There is the first mention of "Priest" "The King of War" "Bread and Wine" and "Tithes" All of these subjects are expounded in great detail later in the word of God; but it is in, Gen 14 that we read of them for the first time. So there is much to glean from this chapter before us.

The background to this study is the battle recorded here, which is generally referred to as "The Battle of the Kings" Four kings from the East come against the Five kings of the plain.

The Eastern Coalition of kings" v 1

Am-ra-phel king of Sh-inar, Arioch king of Ell-asar, Ched-or-la-O-mer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;

The coalition of the ungodly alliance of the kings of the plain v2

Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shem-e-ber king of Ze-boi-im, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.

Where the battle took place. V3

All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea

The eastern coalition, which came from the line of Shem, must have been a very powerful one, for they were victorious over the five kings of the plain who came from the line of Ham.

V 4 informs us that for twelve years, the kings of the plain had served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. Thus we have the first recorded war on the earth
Wars come from the fallen state of man. Even the most peaceable Nation has to learn the art of war to keep its enemies at bay.

V4 We again find the Law of first mention. This is the first time that the numbers 12 & 13 are mentioned.

The number 12--- in the bible signifies Government. In the Old Test we have the Twelve Tribes of Israel. In the New Test, we have the twelve apostles.

The number 13, denotes-- apostasy, rebellion, defection, revolution.. " In the thirteenth year the kings of the plain rebelled. The second mention of the number 13 confirms that it's the number of rebellion
.
Gen 17:25 "And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin."

Ishmael was Abraham's son after the desire of the flesh, the son of Hagar the bondwoman. Ishmael was conceived, because of an impatient rebellion against God's plan for an heir and seed.

Isaac was the heir of promise, the son of the free woman Sarah. God, in His Grace, brought forth Isaac unto life, the promised seed, whose greater descendant would give eternal life to all who would believe
.
Isaac was circumcised on the eight day! Eight in the bible denotes, Resurrection, Regeneration, a New Beginning.
This was exactly what Isaac was " a new beginning, the heir of promise.

The kings of the plain rebelled against the rule of Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam and his confederacy. They were no longer going to pay tribute, or pay their taxes to the Elamities. So in the fourteenth year the kings from the east are on the march to quench this rebellion. This invading army gained victory after victory.

The Horites, who lived in the virtually impregnable fortress of Mount Seir, were soon defeated. The Amalekites and the Amorites were also defeated.
But the five kings of the Plain still thought that they were in with a chance of defeating the kings from the east.

They gather around a map and plan how to defeat this approaching enemy. "Do you think we have a chance of winning this war"? The Commander in chief would give his assessment.
The Logistics-- The enemy's supply lines are extended all the way from here to the Euphrates. The troops will be carrying the spoils from their previous battles. This makes for unstable and less committed troops. We have five Armies and they have four, we have the advantage of numbers.

We are fighting from fortified positions; their troops will be exposed. They are not familiar with the country. We know the terrain the enemy does not. How wrong this assessment was. Soon their defences collapsed and the kings of the plain were defeated Gen 14:10,11

There seems to be poetic justice in all of this. Sodom and Gomorrah were vile and filthy beyond description, and their sin was a stench in the nostrils of God.
Now their Armies are being carried off into captivity, covered with the slime from the slime pits. What a spectacle, filthy within and filthy without. The evidence that God is not mocked. He will deal in His Righteous judgement, with those who mock Him and disobey His Laws.

1. The Saint's Sad Plight

And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

The Last time that we saw Lot, he was pitching his Tent towards Sodom. Then he dwelt in Sodom. One step leads to another. For a while he had kept up the pretence of being a pilgrim, of being committed to Jehovah, but soon Sodom became as quicksand to his soul and he was sucked in to make his home in the vilest city on earth.

He was a captive in chains, a prisoner under the control of the enemy. He had lost all that he had because of the foolish and selfish choice that he made.
He had sought after worldly gain in Sodom, sought after a place like unto Egypt, where he could increase his prosperity! He had even sought to get away from the restraining influence of his uncle Abram

But like the prodigal son in the New Testament, Lot went down into the mire! Like so many he had been deluded by what the world had to offer. The world had offered him prosperity, but in reality, it had brought him only poverty, heartache, and shame.
Sodom had robbed him of both Material and spiritual blessing and had left his testimony for God in ruins.

Lot has tried the Broken Cisterns, But Ah the waters failed
And as he stooped to drink they mocked him a he wailed.

Life brings us many decisions that we have to make. Decisions have a bearing on our future! They also alter the direction of our lives for better or worse, for good or evil. Learn from Lot's mistakes!

He looked to the things of time and sense, He lived for these things, and he lost all because he was a "Self Centred man and not a God centred man.
His life revolved around "Self" thus he was not in the orbit of God's will.

Prov 3: 6,7 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Psa 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

2 The Subtly of Satan's Plan

We are reminded of the subtly of Satan, the enemy of the soul! Satan will use every carrot of deception to draw the believer away from the Lord, and away from the place of fellowship and out of the will of the God, for their life.

The Devil wants to take you away from the path of Faith and back to the swine troughs of the Sodom of your sin, where there is no bread to be found for the soul. He offers much but cannot deliver. He even tried to rob our Lord Jesus of what was rightly His.

Matt 4:8,9 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Jesus, quickly answered him, Get thee hence Satan! Thou shat worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The devil, cannot lord it over those who are servants of God and seek to serve Him with their whole heart. The devil can wrestle with them, but he will not overcome those who are firmly stayed on the Lord.

2. The Seeking Saviour Prepared.

No doubt Abram would have heard reports of the insurrection in the valley. He would have heard how the kings of the plain were no longer going to pay tribute money to Chedorlaomer.

News would filter through, as to how the battle was going and he would listen with interest, for he had assets. Remember he was rich in silver and gold and in cattle. He also had great responsibility as the head of the Tribe. Yes, he would listen carefully to the reports of the war in the valley.

There may be war and rumours of war, but Abram's heart is at rest for he is dwelling in the satisfying place in Hebron " the place of Fellowship" he has his Altar and he has the presence of his God. Then one day Abram hears news that brings sadness to his soul, Lot has been taken as a captive. Gen 14:13

V 14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.

Lot has been taken captive and immediately Abram takes action. He sets out to rescue wayward Lot, and in doing so, he becomes, "A seeking Saviour" one who was prepared to lay down his own life to rescue Lot from the grip of the enemy.

He sets out to do battle with armies who had already defeated the five kingdoms of the kings of the plain, and had also conquered many others on route. He is facing an impossible task for Abram was a man of peace not a man of war.

He was a Shepherd, not a Soldier. How many soldiers have you got to march into battle? The reply comes back from Abram, "I have none". I have but 318 men, but they are not soldiers, they are the trained servants of my household.

This is a suicide mission, you might be a Saint but you are certainly no soldier. Friends, the weakness of the flesh could have suggested numerous reasons as to why Abram should not become involved.

But Abram was a dynamic believer. This man had a vision; it was the sight of Lot perishing at the hand of the enemy. This was what moved him to action to display the Power of his Faith.

Today, we are faced with a dying world; there are many that have never heard the Gospel! What are we willing to do.
Perhaps a weaker brother or sister has been carried away by hurtful and hateful lusts into the valley of the backslider. What should we do?

There are three things for us to note, concerning Abram, when he was faced with this situation.

1. His Compassion… he loved wayward Lot for he was his brother's son.

Abram could easily have shrugged his shoulders and said "Well it serves Lot right". He should never have gone near Sodom, he should never have moved out from fellowship with the people of God.

No. Abram had compassion on Lot, he held no grudges against him; there was no bitterness or animosity in his heart. There was a deep concern, and love for a weaker brother in the faith. Armed with a heart filled with Love! Abram became a Seeking Saviour who was prepared to lay down his life.

What a picture we have in type of the Lord Jesus, the greater son of Abram, who came to this world to seek and to save those who were lost and were held captives by the chains of Satan. He could have left mankind to their depraved sinful devices. Yet in loving-kindness Jesus came, souls in mercy to reclaim.
We bless God for a "Seeking Saviour, who came with a heart filled with compassion to rescue us.

In Tenderness he sought me, weary and sick with sin
And on His shoulder brought me ,
back to the fold again.
He found me bruised and dying,
He poured in oil and wine
He whispered to assure me, I've found thee thou art mine
Oh, the Love that sought me,
Oh the Blood that bought me
Oh the Grace that brought me to the fold
Wondrous Grace that brought me to the fold.

It was compassion, which drove Abram to rescue, Lot, and it was compassion, which drove our Lord to the cross.

1. His Compassion

2. His Courage…

Although Abram was greatly out numbered, and facing a strong and a well-trained Army, he was still determined to rescue Lot. He was going to contend for the Faith. For, in spite of his waywardness, Lot was of the household of faith" the Bible calls him righteous Lot.

How we need to have the courage, in these days of departure from the Law of God, to stand up and to stand fast for the things, which we believe, defending the faith that has been once given unto men.
How we must keep looking unto Jesus, the one who is the Author and the finisher of our Faith for in Him alone is victory.

3. His Capability… watch the power of Faith at work. Gen 14:15,16

Abram divides his men and he surprises the enemy by attacking them at night. He not only attacks them, he defeats them! He liberates Lot, his household, and all the people who were prisoners. He takes back all the possessions and provisions that the enemy had taken as the spoils of their victories.

What a Wonderful Victory! What a Tremendous achievement with just 318 untrained men at that. How was it possible? This victory can only be explained in terms of God. This was the Lord's doing!

Eph 3:20 is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

The Lord was with Abram every step of the way. There is just no way that 318 servants could put four well-trained armies to flight. This victory was energised by the Power of Faith". Abram was the man who lived close to the Altar. He was in constant touch with his God, with the source of power. When he needed that power, the Lord did not fail him.

Victory belongs to those who seek to live close to the Lord.

"We can be more than conquerors through Him who loves us ! We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us".

The Conquering Saviour can break every chain
And give His people the Victory again and again

Billy Graham --- "Satan must be the most frustrated personality in the universe! His army of demons is compelled to obey Jesus, and whatever the devil does to discourage a Christian, God can use for the Christian's benefit".

1. The Saints Sad Plight

2. The Subtly of Satan's Plan

3 The Seeking Saviour Prepared

4. The Sinful Kings Reward v 17, 21

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale. 21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.

After this great victory the king of Sodom comes out of hiding and he says "Abram, we are really indebted to you, give to me the captives and as a reward you can have the spoils of battle". This was the customary thing; the victor would have the spoils of battle.

But Abram would not be guided by natural principles he would be guided by spiritual principles! This man had been learning lessons on the road of faith!

It was his acceptance of the gifts, which Pharaoh had bestowed on him, that had caused the strife between the herdsmen and then the departure of Lot. He was not going to make the same mistake again.

5. The Saints Stern Refusal 22-24

I don't desire or need gifts from you, who is the king of Sodom. My God possesses heaven and earth, I will take only what He gives to me. I will not even take a shoestring from you. Abram has now gained a second victory.

How subtle the king of Sodom was in what he said to Abram, and again it gives us a picture of the evil one who ever says
"Give me the people and you can have the pleasure of the spoils.!

The Devil is ever busy seeking to get men and women to exchange Souls for Spoils. He still offers much to the believer by way of temptation. Those who exercise the power of faith say

Take the world but give me Jesus

If I have Jesus only, then my sky will have a gem
He is the son of brightest Splendour
He is the star of Bethlehem