GENESIS: We have to Help Each Other, Even if We Suffer Consequences from Our Own Stupid Choices; "Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, and went in pursuit as far as Dan."

And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations, that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. (Genesis 14:1-4)

In the previous lesson, we learned that Abram and Lot's possessions and livestock grew to the point that they had to separate because there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. (Genesis 13:7) Abram told Lot to choose which direction he wanted to go and set up his home, and then he would go the opposite direction.  Lot committed the same sin Eve committed in the garden, choosing something because it was pleasant to the eyes...(Genesis 3:6) 

And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. (Genesis 13:10-13) Just because something looks good doesn't mean it is good.  We have to be very careful who we associate ourselves with and what we associate near.  Lot would find that out the hard way.

In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim, and the Horites in their mountain of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is by the wilderness. Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and attacked all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who dwelt in Hazezon Tamar. (Genesis 14:5-7)

And the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) went out and joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. (Genesis 14:8-9) From the beginning of the nations on the earth, there have been wars and rumors of wars, usually begun because someone wants what someone else has. To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:... A time of war, and a time of peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains. Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram. (Genesis 14:10-13)

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. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 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 14:14-16)

Cain had asked the Lord God, after God had confronted him about Abel, "Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9) He was being sarcastic, but the answer is yes, we are our brother's keeper.  Abram proved that by how he went and helped his nephew Lot, and eventually rescued him from the four kings of the north. We'll learn this lesson even more clearly in a future study of Edom (Esau) and Isreal (Jacob). The point is, we are not to stand idly by and watch anyone being treated wrongly, and especially not our brother, our family members. 

Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, “Surely we did not know this,” Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds? (Proverbs 24:11-12) We can't play dumb and not get involved when someone we know needs help.  We can act like we don't know and don't want to get involved, but God weighs the hearts, and He will judge us for not doing what we could to help another. 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) We are not be islands to ourselves, and as long as we and our household are safe and secure, we show no concern for others.  We must believe and live by the two greatest commandments: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:38-40; Mark 12:29-31) AMEN!