Abram Rescues Lot
Genesis 14:13–16 (NASB95)
13Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram. 14When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.
Abram learned that Lot and the people of Sodom had been taken captive. He did not rush to violence. He had lived peaceably with his neighbors and only acted when all peaceful options were exhausted. The Bible calls believers to live at peace with everyone as far as it depends on us. Abram followed this principle. The scriptures do not present Abram’s actions in going to war as a sin. He acted to restore peace and protect his family. Abram’s military action was a last resort to rescue the innocent and uphold righteousness.
Abram’s pursuit covered a great distance. He traveled from his home near Hebron all the way to Dan (I have stood at these gates where Abram was), which marked the northern edge of the land right on the modern-day border with Lebanon. He pressed on even further to Hobah, north of Damascus. This journey spanned over a hundred miles. Abram’s determination showed his commitment to his family and his allies. He did not hesitate to leave his comfort zone. He risked much to bring back Lot and the others.
Notice the New Testament tie we find in these verses. Abram acted as a kinsman redeemer. In the Ancient Near East, a kinsman redeemer (the oldest living male) had the duty to rescue relatives in danger, bondage, or slavery. The word “kinsman” means “brother,” and this role extended beyond immediate family. Abram fulfilled this duty by risking his life for Lot. This act of redemption points forward to Jesus Christ. Christ became our Kinsman Redeemer. He left Heaven, entered our world, and pursued us when we were captive to sin. He paid the price to set us free. Abram’s rescue of Lot is a shadow of the greater rescue accomplished by Christ.
We are called to seek peace and avoid conflict when possible, as far as it depends upon us. Yet, we must also be ready to act with courage and strength when justice and mercy demand it. We must not turn away when our brothers and sisters – or people in general - are in need. Christ pursued us at great cost. We must be willing to go the distance for others, any distance as Christ did for us. Let us live as peacemakers, but also as redeemers who reflect our LORD.