The Gospel in Genesis: Our Need for a Rescuer

Introduction

Read Genesis 14:1-16

Genesis 14:1–16 (ESV)

In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, these kings 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). And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness. Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh) and defeated all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who were dwelling in Hazazon-tamar.

Then 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 they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. They also took Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.

Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.

Background

Lot moved towards Sodom because of the prosperity of the land. Now we don’t know how long its been since chapter 13 but there’s probably been quite a bit of time since Lot settled in the Valley.

He wasn’t the only one who noticed the prosperity of the land.

These four kings of Shinar, Ellasar, Elam, and Goiim noticed this land as well and had already been oppressing the cities in the Jordan Valley. These cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela had been serving and paying taxes to the four kings for 12 years. Well, rarely will people put up with unfair oppression before revolting against the powers that be and that is what is happening now.

This is the first major conflict that is recorded here in Genesis. This isn’t just person against person like Cain and Abel or even tribe against tribe. These are cities coming together to fight against one another. This is all out war among united city-states.

I’m sure Lot did not realize the cost it would be to move towards this beautiful and bountiful land.

But he is included in having to submit himself to these four kings along with the cities he has become a citizen of. And unfortunately, the rebellion did not go well. This was an utter failure.

The five kings begin to run away and many people fall into the tar pits that are there along the way. Those who did not fall ran to the hills where the enemy ended up taking possessions of the rebels including taking many slaves, Lot being one of them and his possessions being lost to the enemy.

But there was one person who escaped and knew who Lot was and his relationship with Abram so he came to share the news with Lot’s uncle.

Abram, of course, the loving and protective uncle that he is, rises up with many of his own men that were born within his house to go rescue Lot. And we see he had allies. Those allies might have been there to help, but all we know is that he took men who were born in his house.

We see both the strength of Abram’s family, that God provided so many people to Abram’s possession as well his wisdom displayed by attacking at night when they would not be seen. Abram is gentle as a dove but as shrewd as a serpent in how he deals with this threat. And of course, God gives him victory over the four kings that have been oppressing the cities of the Valley.

The Price of Sin Is Always More Than We Can Afford

The Promises of Sin

Sin Promises Freedom from Law

First, if we remember from last week, Lot was given the choice to move where he wanted.

He saw the Jordan Valley and instead of seeking the Word of God and submitting himself to God’s will, chose instead to exercise his freedom to go where his heart desired.

Again, we saw that this land was marked by sin and rebellion. Yet Lot saw this as a personal freedom to go where he wanted.

Sin has a way of promising us that we can be free to be our own master rather than having to submit to a will or a law outside of ourselves. We believe that when we give into our own hearts desires, then we are also experiencing freedom.

Sin Promises Pleasure and Provision

Lot also saw pleasures and provision in his move towards Sodom.

We believe the lie that when we do things as we want then it will provide joy and satisfaction and will give us all we need.

The Cost of Sin

Sin Always Has Hidden Costs

But here’s the truth about sin. It not only does not deliver what it promises, but always costs much more than what it admits.

Lot - Lot ended up paying a high price for moving towards this seemingly prosperous land. He was probably not ready to be paying the high price of being subjugated to these foreign kings all because he thought he could live where he wanted to without submitting to the Lord.

There are always consequences to sin.

It might be the consequence of being found out in a lie,

or the damage relationships of breaking truth,

physical health ramifications from substance abuse,

mental health damage from giving into our base instincts.

But even if we never face consequences in this life, there is the consequence of facing the wrath of God against our sin apart from receiving the grace of Christ received by faith.

Sin is never without its high cost and its always a cost that is higher than we are able to pay. It puts us in an infinite debt to the glory of God and a debt we will never be able to pay.

Sin Leads to Slavery, not Freedom

But not only does sin demand a high cost, it also enslaves us.

While we believe the lie that sin gives us freedom, it actually enslaves. It puts us within its own will where we cannot but help to obey sin’s desire. You are never living in freedom, but in submission to sin.

Because of our sinful nature, we cannot but obey our sinful tendencies.

This is what Jesus said in John 8:34-35

John 8:34–35 (ESV)

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.

And Paul in Romans 6:19-20

Romans 6:19–20 (ESV)

I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

While we may be exercising what we see as freedom, we are actually living within our own slavery as we are not doing anything except that which sin wants us to do. Sin is our master, and the further we dive into sin, the harder task master it becomes.

The Silver Chair - Prince Rilian

The Debt of Sin Always Requires a Rescuer

We Are Unable to Free Ourselves from the Slavery of Sin

Sin’s Slaves Require a Rescuer

Lot Needed Abram to Step In

Abram’s Ability to Save

God Blessed Him with a Sizable Force

God’s Power Was Displayed in Abram’s Weakness Against Four Other Kings

Abram’s Desire to Save

Christ is Our Rescuer

The Cross Purchased Our Freedom

Christ’s Desire to Save

The Presence of Sin Should Stir Compassion

First, Our Eyes Should be Open to the Presence of Sin Around Us and Our Hearts Should be Open to the Pain of Sin Around Us

Second, We Should Intercede through Prayer those who are Lost (like the servant who came to Abram to seek help for Lot)

Third, We Are Being Invited to Join the Rescue Party that Christ is leading