Tonight I am going to cover two chapters, simply because not
much happens in Genesis 13. I can’t stress enough how important it is that you
read it for yourself still and read it with an open mind and heart.
Genesis 13 is easy enough. It’s simply Abram’s return to a
place he had been before. It was between Bethel and Ai where he had built an
alter for the lord. This happened in Genesis 12, I just didn’t say anything
about it because, well, you need to read it!
Abram at this time has collected a lot of things, herds,
silver and gold as well as more men to help tend to all his possessions. Lot
had also collected a good bit of stuff. There was fighting between the herdsmen
so Abram decides that they need to part ways. Abram even lets Lot choose which
way he wants to go. Of course Lot chooses the land that looks the most green
and alive. The go their separate ways.
God then tells Abram to all sides and the land that he can
see God gives to Abram and his offspring. Abram sets up his tents near great
trees of Mamre at Hebron and he builds an alter to God.
Lot, who had taken to the land that looked best to him has
gotten himself into some trouble. He sets up his tents near Sodom. Sodom was
not a friendly place. The men of Sodom were wicked and sinned against God.
Genesis 14
A lot is actually going on in Genesis 14. First, a bunch of
kings get together. I will call them team 1 and team 2
Team 1: Amraphel, Arioch, Kedorlaomer, and Tidal
Team 2: Bera(King of Sodom) Birsha (King of Gomorrah),
Shinab, Shember, and Zoar.
Team 2 has been under Kedorlaomer’s rule for 12 years. The
thirteenth year they got tired of it and rebelled. In the fourteenth year Team
1 goes out and defeats a bunch of places. They are some bad dudes. Then Team 2
decides to take a try at them. Remember in Genesis 13 it says that the men of
Sodom are wicked men, so of course Team 1 is going to win. Once Team 2 retreated Team 1 took all the processions
of the Kings that fled. This included Abram’s nephew, Lot.
Lot has gotten himself into trouble! Luckily a guy that had
escaped the battle found Abram and told him what had happened. Abram is also a
bad (as in awesome) dude. He quickly gathers up an army of 318 trained men and
goes after Lot. They win the battle and take everything that was taken after
the war between Team 1 and Team 2.
The King of Salem, Melchizedek brings out wine and bread to
celebrate Abram’s victory. Later Abram meets up with the king of Sodom to give
him his goods back. Then the king tells Abram he can keep all the goods that he
recovered. Abram refuses because he knows that the king of Sodom is just as
wicked as his men are. You don’t want to take gifts from a man who has so
openly sinned against God. It’s only asking for trouble. Also, seeing as the
king of Sodom is just as bad as his men, Abram knows that if he takes the goods
the King will only use it against him one day by telling people he, the king of
Sodom, gave the great Abram all the things that made him rich.
Way to go Abram! He saved his nephew and still stayed
faithful to the Lord.
That’s all for tonight folks. Read up on the next chapter
and be ready for tomorrow. Don’t forget to thank God for all that he has given
you and ask Him to help you be as faithful as the great men of the bible.
Much Love
Heather
