Gen 14:1-7 This is the first war listed in the Bible. Zumim: TALL or Powerful Ones; Rephaim: STRONG ones. These were the first attacked to strike fear in all the other kings. It was a one sided and devastating war. Keep this picture in mind.
Gen 14:8-12 These 5 kings were no match to this well organized army. Calvin captured the mood when he said, “The runaways chose the pits rather than be captured”. They took LOT. This man fell from the height of worldly riches to the depth of captivity. The prosperity we long for is captivating; it can both entice us and enslave us if our motives are not in line with God’s desires.
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil…
The abduction shows so clearly that separation from Abram meant forfeiting the divine protection provided by the favored patriarch. We must remain in Christ’s favor.
Gen 14:13-14 Abram was bold enough to take on this task because he had seen God’s divine protection before. We also see that Abram went to rescue LOT. What would we have done in the same situation? Abram could have just left Lot. He goes to rescue him! Why?? Abram was able to extend that kind of forgiveness because he had experienced that kind of forgiveness himself when God sovereignly rescued him and Sarai from Abimelech in Egypt. Remember the parable of the unforgiving servant? When we have difficulty forgiving, we may have lost sight of the CROSS.
Abram took 318 servants only but with God one is a majority against this ruthless and powerful army.
Gen 14:15-16 Hobar is north of Damascus; almost 200km? (One Way) to recapture! Were the 318 servants super soldiers? No way! God intervened! God did miracles!
Common pattern…God deliveres…self reliance…rebellion…captivity…cry out…God delivered….again and again.
Sometimes the way God works and they way we think HE SHOULD work are completely opposite. Is 55:8-9
When we surrender our destiny to Him, HE can work miracles and gets ALL the glory!
God wins the battle because the battle belongs to the Lord. Eph 2:8-9 says we are saved by grace…lest anyone should boast…God despises boasting in our own abilities!
The church is full of life when Christ, and not man is in charge. Let’s surrender ourselves through the 10 days of fasting and prayer and see God move in our nation and in the church.
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