Choices Have Consequences

There are always a myriad of events happening in the world around us: political tension, war, systemic problems, crime, and every sin under the sun we can think of. Abram's model of how to deal with the world around us is one we can easily apply today. In chapter 14, war has broken out in the region against the kings of the Mesopotamian Empire and a collective of Canaanite kings because the Canaanite kings decided to stop paying tribute money to the empire.

The empire's response was an onslaught of attacks all around the region, 9 attacks total. Abram does not budge, he continues living peacefully in the land with war breaking out all around him. Abram does not get involved in any of the attacks UNTIL he is brought in when it is reported that his nephew, Lot, is in trouble.

All of these attacks likely took place over the course of weeks to a few months and Abram stayed in Hebron. Since he was a wealthy man, it is very likely that he would have been keenly aware of all of the news happening in the region and beyond. Once he decides to get involved, we find out that he is already prepared with 318 men from his household (community) who are ready to go battle. Here are the top takeaways from Abram's involvement in the war:

1. Although Abram was a foreigner (a Hebrew living in the land of Canaan, among the Amorites), he had 3 allies in the land. Allies are not friends but they get along and are on the same side. We need allies, no one can succeed on their own.
2. Abram was ready to mobilize at a moment's notice. Within his own household, which was really a large town community, there were 318 men who were already trained for war. Abram was not ignorant of the need to be prepared to protect his surroundings and made it a part of his lifestyle to be prepared. He did not depend on a regional guard or police force, it still sounds like a useful skill today.
3. He used strategy to defeat the enemy during an attack in the middle of the night. He knew that the enemy had no right to capture the people and he refused to allow the enemy to take territory that was not permitted by God. We could benefit from the same approach as we fight battles from a spiritual perspective against our common enemy. Know your rights and fight for them.
4. He kept his priority in sight- rescue Lot and recover what was taken. He did what he intended to do and that was it.
5. Abram was not willing to allow anyone but God Most High (El-Elyon) to get the credit for who he is and the wealth he attains. He knew he was blessed by God and he let that inform his decisions even after the war.

As you reread the account of Abram rescuing Lot in Genesis 14, it important to understand the logistics if what is happening as much as we need to understand the thoughts and character of the people involved to assess their level of faith and other factors that influence their decisions.

Do not underestimate the consequences of the choices you make.

Studying Abram's journey should aid you in developing your own.

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STUDY GUIDE REMINDER!

Here is the STUDY GUIDE to go along with our series. Please access it HERE. It is a compilation of the material reviewed in each lesson. In general, I recommend reading the chapter for yourself and re-watching the live along with the study guide to get the most as you reflect. This is a template link and will update weekly by COB every Friday.