Genesis 14:8 “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) marched out and arrayed for battle in the Valley of Siddim 9against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. …11The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food, and they went on their way. 12They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom. 13Then an escapee came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the oaksd of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were bound by treaty to Abram.”
Well, Lot’s decision to move into Sodom has already proved to be a poor one! Lot has barely gotten settled in Sodom when he becomes a victim in a local conflict and he and all of his household are carried off as prisoners and slaves. Someone escapes and brings word to Abraham. Abraham could have responded with disdain, “Humph! Serves that young man right for having been so greedy and so quick to align himself with those godless Sodomites!” But that’s not the way Abraham reacts.
v. 14” And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He retrieved all the goods, as well as his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the rest of the people.” Abraham mobilizes and captures the entire army, retrieving all the goods and the people.
v. 11The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not accept even a thread, or a strap of a sandal, or anything that belongs to you, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share for the men who went with me—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. They may take their portion.” This is quite interesting. Abraham had no problems receiving things from Pharaoh in Egypt, but he wants nothing to do with the king of Sodom. Evidently, Abraham already had heard something unsavory about the behavior of those from Sodom; he had no desire to become obligated to them in any fashion.
Notice something: throughout this entire story, there is no evidence that Lot ever thanked Abraham for saving him and his family. Lot is a very passive participant in all of this. And yet, Abraham has carried out God’s will as we will see in Genesis 15.
What does this passage teach us about forgiveness?
1. Forgiveness is a choice that we make, not a response to someone else’s actions. Lot rushed in to claim the choicest grazing land without investigating the character of the people with whom he would be forced to dwell. Abraham CHOSE to save Lot; he did not wait for Lot to make any apology or any appeal.
2. Forgiveness does not depend on an appropriate response from the person whom we are forgiving. Abraham did not say, “Well, I will save Lot, but Lot had better be properly grateful!” Abraham acted swiftly and decisively without any consideration for the way Lot might respond.
3. Forgiveness does not keep records. Abraham didn’t threaten that this was the last time that he would rescue Lot.
APPLICATION: When someone has made a stupid mistake, do you help them get out of their problems, or do you allow them to struggle while you gloat? Think of how many times God has been patient with each one of us and how many times we have had to beg God for assistance; yet, God never turns us away.
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for loving us and forgiving us. Help us to learn to love and forgive as you do. In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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