060 Abraham: The Rescue
Genesis 14 would make an exciting action movie. It contains all the elements necessary: a riveting plot, villains, a hero, strategy, swordplay, and acts of daring.
Abram’s nephew, Lot, who has moved into the city of Sodom, gets caught up in a retaliatory move made by a coalition of kings. Seeking to bring the rebellious Canaanite cities back into line, they invaded from the north, taking captive every man, woman, and child, and carrying off flocks, herds, and carts piled with plunder.
When word reached Abram that Lot has been captured, he rallies the men allied to him – a force 318 strong – and takes off on a rescue mission. Catching up to the lumbering train of captives, Abram’s army attacked by night, taking the invaders by surprise. In a decisive victory, they recovered all the plunder and returned all the people to their homes, including Lot.
Notice the amazing graciousness of Abram toward Lot.
Remember, Lot chose to live in Sodom. He chose to identify with this sin-filled city and its sin-sick people. And by doing so, Lot opted to walk away from the values he’d been taught and the relationships which had given him so much.
Not to mention the fact that this rescue mission came with considerable risk to Abram. He would be making some powerful enemies.
Nevertheless, Abram went after the boy.
So how might we apply this lesson to our lives?
First of all, when talking about simply helping people in physical need, we often assess whether or not we will engage by asking these 2 questions:
1. Does this person deserve my help?
2. Can I assist without it costing too much?
If the answer to those questions is “yes,” we are normally glad to do what we can for the person. However, if the answer is “no” to either question, we tend to hold back. Isn’t that true?
The lesson we can learn from Abram is, he helped a person in physical need because it was right, not because they deserved it.
If we hope to change a person’s life, it will require graciousness for which we might well have to pay a price.
There’s another application that has to do with spiritual rescue.
Jesus made it very clear that a key part of His redemptive mission was to save us – to make payment for our sins.
The Bible says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:11)
Let me ask you…did we deserve it? No. Not one of us. Yet Jesus came after us.
So here’s the deal: having been saved…having been rescued from the evil forces that had taken us prisoner, we are now sent into the world to go after those who are still captives. How much effort will we put into this mission we have been given?
If we hope to see spiritual eyes opened, it will require consistent kindness and passionate intercession.
Text: Genesis 14
Originally recorded September 7, 2014, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN.