1. Abraham the Watcher (14:1-12)

This section records the first war mentioned in the Bible, and it would not be included here had it not involved Abraham. The Bible records a great deal of history, but as Dr. A. T. Pierson said, “History is His story.” What is written helps us better understand how God worked out His great plan of salvation in this world. In the Bible, historical facts are often windows for spiritual truth.

The five city-states in the plain of Jordan (Gen. 14:2; see also 13:10) had been subject for twelve years to the kings of four eastern city-states (14:1) and finally revolted against them. This, of course, was a declaration of war; so the four kings invaded the plain of Jordan to bring the five kings into subjection. From our modern viewpoint, the invasion was a minor skirmish, but in that day, it was considered a major international conflict.

Certainly five kings ought to be able to defeat four kings, especially when they are fighting “on their own turf.” But the army of the cities of the plain was soundly defeated by the invading kings! Apparently the five kings did not even know their own land because they were trapped in the slime pits (v. 10). All their army could do was flee for the hills.

While reviewing his troops, the Duke of Wellington is supposed to have said, “I don’t know what effect these men will have on the enemy, but they frighten me!” Ezekiel 16:49-50 suggests that the lifestyle of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah did not prepare them for conflict (cf. Ezek. 16:49-50 with 1 John 2:15-17).

Whatever purposes the kings may have had in this war, God had something special in mind for Lot: He became a prisoner of war. Lot had looked at Sodom and moved toward Sodom (Gen. 13:10-13), and now he was living in Sodom (14:12; see also Ps. 1:1). You might not guess it from his conduct, but Lot was a righteous man (2 Peter 2:6-8). Where did he fail?

While in Egypt with Abraham, Lot had gotten a taste of the world and enjoyed it. Scripture doesn’t record that Lot ever built an altar and sought the Lord, as did his uncle Abraham. Abraham was the friend of God (James 2:23), but Lot was the friend of the world (4:4). In time, Lot conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2), and when Sodom lost the war, Lot was condemned with the world (1 Cor. 11:32). If you identify with the world, then expect to suffer what the world suffers.

Lot’s capture was God’s way of disciplining him and reminding him that he had no business living in Sodom. No doubt Abraham was praying faithfully for his nephew that he might separate himself from the world and start living like a true “stranger and pilgrim.” God disciplines His children because He loves them and wants the best for them (Prov. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:1-11). If we don’t listen to His rebukes, then He has to get our attention some other way; and that way is usually very painful.