The Lot that Didnt Get Away

Genesis 14

Basic Proposition:  Here in the first mention of war is a powerful illustration of the Spiritual Battle.  Two responses are made and only one is successful, which one will you make?

1)      The Correlation of War – We are living in a delusional world if we do not believe that there is a constant spiritual battle going on around us.  Here in Genesis 14 is the first mention of Battle in the Bible and it is a significant picture of the war for our souls. In this picture we see many corollaries.

a.        The Cause – Rebellion is almost always the cause for wars.  Here we have the rebellion from the plains of Jordan and in our spiritual lives we see rebellion as the cause of warring in our spirit.

b.       The Coalition – Here we see an unholy alliance of five kings in much the same way that those who wish to fight against the Spirit of God will try and join forces together.  When we try to fight the Spirit’s promptings in our lives we will search for whom ever and whatever will join with us.

c.         The Conflict – Finally, we see the inevitable conflict.  Just as in the end times, there will be no avoiding it.  So we see two believers caught in the middle of this conflict with two very different results.

2)       The Causalities of War – As we look at the two results from those believers we see first a very important warning of how we ought not to live in regards to this war for our souls.  

a.        The Development – Notice the gradual development of Lot’s life.  “He looked toward Sodom…he pitched his tent toward Sodom…he dwelt in Sodom.”  Sodom was a treacherous quicksand for the soul and it had sucked Lot in, so the world and its desires will be for us.

b.       The Danger – He was caught on the wrong end of this battle.  His soul was carried away captive.

c.         The Delusion – Despite the failures of Lot, he, like any of us, was given a second chance in the battle for the soul.  Yet, we see like so many of us his delusional return to Sodom.

3)      The Conqueror of War – The second results that we see are those of the spiritual man, Abraham.  We would all do well to take note of how he responds to this battle.   

a.        The Correct Responses – Abraham had all the right responses.  Look at how he responds to:

                                                   i.      The Weakness of the Flesh – He could have been tempted to not get involved.  “It serves Lot right!”

                                                  ii.      The Wisdom of the World – He was wealthy and could have used Money to buy Lot back.

                                                iii.      The Wiles of the Devil – He could have succumbed to the temptation to take from the King of Sodom.

b.       The Collective Results – Abraham took a small band of men and whipped a dominating Army.  He got everyone and everything back.  It was a complete success.

c.         The Constant Requirement – The power of faith is amazing.  We can always overcome any enemy if we trust in the Lord and act in faith.

Personal Application

True spiritual victory can only come with the right response to the battle.  We must learn to live in faith and act accordingly.  The responses of Lot are too often our own, we cannot live as Lot and expect the victories of Abraham nor can we stand by when our brothers and sisters have fallen into the pit of despair.