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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 67

"It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect." Psalm 18:32

Text: Genesis 14:1-24

ABRAM THE WARRIOR

When Abram was in Egypt, he behaved cowardly. Fearing for his life, he placed Sarai at great risk of being made a concubine in Pharaoh’s household! The Abram that we see now was quite a different man! His renewed relationship with God, his growing faith in Him, changed him from being a weakling to a warrior! He knew that he would risk his own life if he were to attempt to rescue his nephew from the clutches of the victorious enemies. Few things make enemies feel all-powerful than success in battle! The coalition of Chedorlaomer had tasted victory and their morale would be at its peak! And Abram was planning to attack them!

“Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive,
he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants
who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit
as far as Dan.”

GENESIS 14:14

1. Moved and Motivated

Abram felt keenly for his nephew. (When merely stating a family relationship, the Scripture text would describe Lot as “his brother’s son”.) However, the text described Lot as “his brother”. This word is used not just to connote a blood relationship, but a very close relationship. In a close relationship, one who is beloved is called “brother”.

2. Three hundred and eighteen trained servants

We are now given a glimpse of the extent of Abram’s wealth and power. He even had a private army. These were both trained and armed. (Having a private army was not uncommon among nomadic Bedouins. Without a good and strong private army, Abram would have been in danger of being captured by stronger nations).

These servants were “personal servants” of Abram. They were described as “born in his own house”. These servants had a powerful sense of loyalty to their master Abram. If their master would so command them, they would willingly go into battle with him!


A GREAT VICTORY

Abram knew that the odds were against him. He showed himself a good military strategist. The unsuspecting victorious army was suddenly attacked at night from at least two flanks! Taken by surprise and confused the enemies fled for their lives! What an amazing man Abram turned out to be. He won a well-deserved victory (Genesis 14:15). By any standards, Abram had acquitted himself well as a warrior and a military strategist!

“So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back
his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women
and the people.”

GENESIS 14:16

Nothing was said about Lot’s response to his uncle’s victory over the coalition of four kings! He did not return to live with his uncle. He continued to stay in Sodom (Cf. Genesis 19:1)!