LOT, HIS FAMILY AND UNCLE ABRAHAM LOT, HIS FAMILY AND UNCLE ABRAHAM LOT, HIS FAMILY AND UNCLE ABRAHAM Lot went with Uncle Abraham 1 to Egypt and saw his Uncle give Sarah his Aunt away to Pharaoh out of ‘fear’ of his life. When Lot invited two messengers to his home for hospitality and he ‘feared’ for their lives (and his own) he decided to give his virgin daughters away to protect the strangers. Later when his daughters ‘feared’ that the world had been destroyed in an apocalypse and no men were available to marry they had intimate relations with him to survive for themselves and the world. INTRODUCTION: Lot was the son of Haran, Abraham’s brother. Haran died relatively young during his father Terah’s lifetime and Abraham ‘adopted’ his nephew. We are not told of Lot’s mother’s name, but she too apparently died before the family moved toward Canaan. ‘The Lord told Abraham Go forth from your land and your birthplace [or kindred] and your father’s house to the land I will show you’ (12:1).

In fact Abraham departed with his father Terah and his ‘adopted’ son Lot as well with his wife Sarah. They left Terah in Haran (a place presumably named after Lot’s dead father). Terah lived another sixty years and was presumably in good health when Abraham left. 2 God later told Abraham that he would become a ‘great nation and you shall be a blessing . . . And Abraham went forth as the Lord had spoken to him and Lot went with him’ (12:3-4). In the previous chapter we were introduced to Sarah plight as Abraham’s barren wife (11:29). It would appear that if Abraham were to become a ‘great nation’ it might have to come from Lot as Abraham’s adoptive son. Thus despite leaving his ‘father’s house’ Lot appears the instrument necessary to fill Abraham’s destiny. THE SEPARATION: Abraham traveled through Egypt and became rich, he and ‘Lot with him’ (13:1). We are then told that ‘there was strife between the herdsmen of Abraham flocks and the herdsmen of Lot’s flocks (13:7). Why Master Abraham and his esteemed nephew would allow their herdsmen’s conflict to separate them seems unclear.

Rashi (1040-1105), the medieval commentator, suggests that Lot herdsmen ‘knew’ their master was Abraham’s heir and therefore the eventual owner of the land and felt entitled to use that land immediately (on 13:7 and Gen. Rabbah 41.6). Abraham was willing to await patiently for God’s gift. Abraham understands that more is at stake than the simple strife herdsmen, ‘Let there be no strife between you and me’ (13:8). Was Abraham concerned that the strife represented his and Lot’s view of God’s power in the world? We cannot at this point know. ‘If you take the left hand, then I shall go right, and of you take the right hand, I shall go left’ (13:9). Was Abraham suggested they split the land of Canaan which was promised to him? Right hand or left hand is a strange and unclear way to define land. If they were facing eastward right is south and left if north; but if they were facing westward the opposite is true. And where were they geographically?

If they were situated on the Mediterranean coast (near current day Tel Aviv) south is Philistine land (Gaza) and north up to Lebanon. If they were in the current day center of Israel they would have been in the promised land of Canaan. Abraham may have expected Lot to choose northern Canaan or Southern Canaan, but he did not make that choice. Lot looked west and with Abraham’s permission he chose a land he or the narrator described as ‘the garden of the Lord’, almost an Eden irrigated by the Jordan River and the cities the plains. But it does not appear to be the land God promised Abraham’s descendants; it seems to be today’s Jordan. Numerous scholars have claimed that the cities of the plains were not considered part of Canaan but rather were a separate geo-political entity. 3 Lot who may be seen as an opportunist chooses the better land not knowing that it includes land whose potential was for annihilation. Is there a lesson to be learned from this transaction? Is the narrator suggesting that despite its evil in Sodom Lot was unconcerned; that a different value system existed between Abraham and Lot?

We should note that before the choice no evil had been attributed to Sodom and Gomorrah, but immediately after Lot’s choice we are told that the men of Sodom ’were wicked’ (13:13). Should Lot have been concerned? We have been told twice that Abraham is with Lot and that Sarah is barren implying that Lot will be Abraham’s heir; why would they allow herdsmen to interfere in their relationship? Is Lot still to be considered Abraham’s heir? Rashi notes Abraham saying ‘wherever you go, I will be close at hand and I will always shield and help you’ as we shall see shortly Abraham does. One of the major themes of Abraham’s lifetime (11:27 to chapter 22) is the birth of his heir, who would be his mother and the child’s survival; and the story of Lot is a significant part of that theme. And Lot moved and lived in a tent near Sodom. We are told the people of Sodom were evil doers. Abraham moved towards Hebron. And God promised Abraham that his descendants would be ‘like the dust of the earth’ would own ‘all the land you can see’ (13:15-16).

Some time later the people of Sodom and the area including Lot and his family are kidnapped by four kings. Abraham gathered an army and fought the kings; he succeeded in releasing Lot, his family and all his possessions and the people of Sodom. Obviously Abraham maintained his commitment to Lot, his adopted son. Abraham risked his life to protect Lot and his family. The next time Abraham converses with God he says ‘I am childless and ‘ben meshek ba’ti’ is dameshek Eliezer’. Does ‘ben meshek’ mean the steward of my house and is dameshek, the Damascus Eliezer? As Robert Alter notes Eliezer in an unlikely name for a person from Damascus – is this some difficult word play – ‘meshek’ twice? 4 God replies no you will bear your own biologic child (15:2-4). Had Abraham given up on Lot as his heir? If so why; was living near Sodom related? Lot only had daughters, did in itself disqualify him as an heir apparent in that society? Later God appears to Abraham again and tell him he will deliver an apocalypse on the evil doers of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Abraham pleads with God not to destroy the cities if even fifty, forty five thirty twenty and finally ten righteous persons remain in the cities. Interestingly Abraham does not plead explicitly for his nephew Lot; in fact he is not mentioned. What Abraham thinks of his nephew living near a city that contained ‘very evil offenders against the Lord’ (13:13) we do not know. Did he consider Lot righteous? By now God has promised Abraham his own son through Sarah, however God’s remembrance of Sarah (21:1) has not yet been implemented. Thus Lot his nephew as well as Abraham’s biologic son Ishmael may still appear to Abraham as potential descendants to fulfill the prophecy of his becoming a great nation. 5 This is the second time although indirectly Abraham intervenes to save Lot in his stay in Sodom. THE APOCALYPSE: In the following chapter (19) we are told the story of Lot, his family and the apocalypse.

The story of Lot’s survival begins when two messengers (divine visitors, like Uncle Abraham previously – in fact according to a midrash the two are from Abraham’s three; one ‘the Lord’ Himself remained with Abraham) came into Sodom for the evening and Lot sitting at the gate of the city (19:1) a traditional seat of Judges sit in the Hebrew Bible and offers them hospitality. No doubt Lot received the respect of the city as a result of Uncle Abraham’s saving the city. The story is reminiscent of the earlier visitation of Abraham’s three messengers appeared before his tent (18:1) and his offering hospitality. Lot invites them to spend the night and offered bread and in fact prepared a feast. Lot evidently learnt from his Uncle Abraham about hospitality. Some biblical commentators have expressed that Lot’s hospitality as in fact inferior to Abraham 6 I disagree; while Abraham had Sarah create an elaborate meal including cakes which never appear to be served (18:8) and the calf appears to have been previously prepared. Abraham’s guests arrived in the early afternoon and were served an evening dinner (18:1) while Lot’s guest arrived in the evening.

Lot prepared for them a feast in addition to the normal Arabic (pita) flatbread (19:3). Morally degenerate men from Sodom surrounded the house and demanded to ‘know’ the men, to rape them (thus the word sodomy in English coming from the Hebrew.) Lot addresses these aggressive men ‘my brothers’ (19:8) to appease them and offers his virgin daughters instead; he feels a need to protect his visitors under roof and his hospitality. Robert Alter points out under Mid Eastern code a house guest can be considered to take precedent over other obligations. 7 He does not know at this point that the visitors and holy messengers. Lot was in a precarious and dangerous situation himself given the threat ‘we will do more harm to you than to them’ (19:9). While this may seem a surprising exchange Lot was with Uncle Abraham when he offered his wife Sarah to Pharaoh because of his own fear and to protect himself. Can this as Laurence Turner suggested ‘like father . . . like son’? 8 At the time in Egypt Abraham was acting as an adoptive father to his adoptive son Lot.

However the Ramban correctly states ‘one does not abandon ones daughter for prostitution (on 19:8). The exact sins of the people of Sodom according to Jewish commentators may have been more than just sodomy. In Ezekiel’s chapter 16, Jerusalem is described almost pornographically (16:15-22) 9 and then called Sodom and Samaria are called only half as bad. Sodom crimes are defined as ‘arrogance, gluttony, complacency . . . and neglecting the poor and needy’ (16:49). Sexual crimes used as a metaphor for idolatry are connected to Ezekiel’s Jerusalem. The Talmud describes the sins of Sodom as there being ‘cruel cheaters, exploiters of strangers, grasping, money-mad, and unkind. When Lot’s daughter Peletit fed a poor man she was executed and burnt to death. 10 Josephus noted at the end of the first century hat those from Sodom abhorred strangers.

11 In the Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer (written later than the Talmud but including oral traditions from that same period (3-4th century) adds that Sodomite law forbad hospitality which was punishable by death through burning. 12 Another midrash described Abraham’s servant Eliezer visiting Lot at Sarah’s request. Eliezer was witness to the robbery of a stranger; he interfered and was stoned for his interference causing a loss of blood. He was asked to pay for the cupping of his own blood. He refused and was taken to Court and the Judge fined Eliezer to pay. Eliezer then threw a rock at the head of the Judge who bled profusely. Eliezer said ‘pay my debt to the men and give me the balance’. 13 For such acts as these Sodom was destroyed and only Lot and his family were saved through God’s justice. When the men of Sodom attempt to break into Lots house the messengers miraculously created blinding light and the house was no longer visible. Lot is then informed that God will destroy this city and he is warned to flee immediately with his family and possessions.

Only Lot, his wife and two virgin daughters go with the men. The remainder of his family (married daughters, sons-in-laws (and any grandchildren) being disbelievers refused to go. Lot apparently had no sons. ‘Flee for your life. Don’t look behind you and don’t stop anywhere on the plain. Flee to the high country’ (19:17-18). Lot lingers and is almost forced to flee by the messengers. (19:16). Lot hesitates again; is he doubtful of the messenger’s prophecy? Being an urban dweller Lot requests relocation in a town near by in the Jordan Valley; the messengers agree to save a city called Zoar (19:23). ‘And the Lord rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord from the heavens’ (19:24). And his wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt (19:26). The Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer calling the wife Idit, suggested she looked back not out of defiance but hoping her married daughters reconsidered and had followed them.

Another midrash suggests she sought salt from a neighbor while preparing the feast and told of their guests; thus her punishment. The Talmud states that when one visits the pillar of salt one states two blessing; one on the ‘true judge’ – dayan emet - which is said when hears of a death and secondly remembering the righteous (BT Brachot 5a-b). Given the apocalypse and the aftermath and the effect on her children one could content whether her punishment was not an act of mercy. Abraham was apparently unaware that Lot survived the apocalypse. THE AFTERMATH: Lot and his two virgin daughters fearful in the city of Zoar leave and seek refuge in a cave. The girls believe that they and their father were the sole survivors left on earth. They apparently were not aware of the conversations with the divine messengers. They believed that their and the survival of the species could only come from propagating their father’s seed through intercourse with him. The eldest daughter suggests that make their father drunk since he might not agree. On the first night the first daughter has relations with their father and them on the second night the second daughter; both are impregnated.

Lot was apparently unaware of what had happened in his drunken state ‘he knew not when she lat down or when she arose’; this repeated twice for both daughters (19:33, 35). The two girls became pregnant and each delivered a son; they named them appropriately Moab (meaning from father) and Ben Ammi (son of father - Ammonites). The Ramban (1194-1270) suggests that the daughters might be thought of as Noah; that they were saving the world’s existence (on 19:32). The Moabites and Ammonites were forbidden to enter into the Israeli people for ten generations because they refused hospitality in the desert (Duet. 23:4). As the midrash on the Book of Proverbs stated the daughters could say to their sons ‘your father is my father’ (Proverbs 2:6). Augustine suggests it is not clear whether Lot sinned or was sinned against. 14 Jewish midrashim present a mixed opinion about this act of incest. 15 One Rabbi describes it as an act for heaven while another and act of fornication (Gen.

Rabbah 51:8,10). One Rabbi suggested that even if Lot with his elder daughter was unaware as a result of being drunk he should have realized when he awakened and been more cautious the second night (BT Horayoth 10b). Jewish midrashim believe Lot had no sons and thus his own mortality was also at stake. 16 One the other hand there is no explicit prohibition on a man’s sleeping with his own daughter (despite the intent being obvious), prohibitions appear against grand daughters (18:10) as well as daughters-in-law (20:12), half sisters and aunts. No one (that I am aware of) has supplied a rational for this missing prohibition. Yet Abraham claimed to married his half sister Sarah (20:12), Moses’ father Amram apparently married his Aunt Yocheved (Ex. 2:1) and as we shall discuss in a moment Judah married his daughter-in-law. CONCLUSION: What can be said concerning Lot? How sympathetic shall we see his actions? The conflict with Abraham about land and their separation is more than among herdsmen and land but value systems.

Later Lot chose to live in Sodom after Abraham freed him from his captures; but then we all knew of the evil of its people. His offering his daughters to protect himself and his guests may be understandable although clearly not heroic. Lot tells his married daughters and son-in-laws of God’s destruction of the city but in a way the narrator describes as joking. As the dawn was breaking the messengers urged Lot, his wife and two daughters to rush out and finally they had to seize their hands and take him out. Lot has been described in the pseudo-canonical book ‘Wisdom’ as a righteous man (10:5) similar to his Uncle Abraham (10:5) and distant cousins Jacob (10:10) and Joseph (10:13). This positive evaluation is confirmed in the Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer. 17 God did in fact send his angels to rescue Lot and his family prior to the destruction of Sodom, however his survival may be for Abraham’s sake rather than his righteousness. Lots two daughters give birth to two future other enemies of the Hebrews Moab and Ammon. These appear as an etiological description to bastardize their existence as enemies of Israel.

After his daughters become pregnant does Lot ever understand and object to what they had done? Given that he had offered his two daughters to be raped by the men of Sodom – who were interested in sodomy, a non impregnative act - it would have been difficult for him to criticize their behavior. Robert Alter calls their actions ‘measure for measure justice’. 18 Lot began as the heir apparent to Abraham and his blessing; but in his history: the herdsmen conflict, opportunism in the land choice, his moving toward Sodom, his reluctance to leave Sodom and his actions towards his daughters and their eventual ironic reaction to him suggest he failed as Abraham’s successor. 1 We use the name Abraham even before his name change from Abram and Sarah is used before her name change from Sarai as a matter of convenience. 2 Cassuto, U., A Commentary on Genesis, Trans by I., Abrahams, (Magnes Press, Jerusalem, 1964) Vol. 2, pg. 310,317. 3 Helyer, Larry, R., ‘The Separation of Abram and Lot, JSOT, 1983, pg. 80.

4 Alter , Robert, ‘The Five Books of Moses’ (Norton & Co., N.Y., 2004) pg. 73. 5 Baldwin, Joyce, Genesis 12-50, (Intra Varsity Press, Leicester, 1988) pg. 73,77. 6 Sharon P., Jeansonne, Characterization of Lot, BTB 18, 1988, pg. 126 7 Robert Alter, pg. 92. 8 Article, Turner, L.A., Lot As Jekyll And Hyde’, eds. D.J.A. Clines, S.E. Fowl and S E. Porter, The Bible in Three Dimensions’ (Sheffield, JSOT, 1990) pg. 87. 9 See 10 Ginzberg , Louis, Legends of the Bible, (Philadelphia, JPS, 1975) pg. 115. 11 Josephus, Translated by William Whiston, Complete Works, Kregel Publication, Grand Rapids, 1960, The Antiquities of the Jews, 1:11, pg. 33.

12 Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer [Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer, translated by Gerald Friedlander, (Herman Press, N.Y., 1965) chapter 25, pg. 184. 13 Op cit, Ginzberg, pg. 114. 14 Quoted in Polhemus, Robert, Lots Daughters (Stamford University Press, Stamford, 2005) pg. 53 15 Suggested in Gen. Rabbah 51:8,10 16 Ginzberg, Louis, Legends of the Bible, Vol. I, (JPS, Philadelphia, 1975), pg. 255. 17 Pirke de Rabbi Eliezer pg. 184. 18 Alter, pg. 92. Who Was Lot in the Bible? The Nephew of Abraham Updated January 06, 2017. Who Was Lot? Lot, nephew of the Old Testament patriarch Abraham , was a man who seemed to be greatly influenced by his environment. As long as he accompanied his godly uncle Abraham, he managed to stay out of trouble.

But when he got away from Abraham's good example and moved to the city of Sodom, Lot knew he was in a place of sin . Peter says Lot was distressed by the evil going on about him, yet Lot did not work up the initiative to leave Sodom. God considered Lot and his family righteous, so he saved them. On the verge of Sodom's destruction , two angels led Lot, his wife and two daughters away. Lot's wife turned and looked back, whether from curiosity or longing, we don't know. Immediately she turned into a pillar of salt. Panicked because they were living in a wilderness cave where there were no men, Lot's two daughters got him drunk and committed incest with him. Perhaps if Lot had raised his daughters more strictly in God's ways, they would not have gone through with such a desperate plan. Even so, God made good come out of it. The older daughter's son was named Moab. God gave Moab a section of land in Canaan. One of his descendants was named Ruth . Ruth, in turn, is named as one of the ancestors of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

Accomplishments of Lot in the Bible Lot made his flocks grow to the point where he and Abraham had to part ways because there was not enough grazing land for both of them. He learned much about the one true God from his uncle, Abraham. Lot's Strengths Lot was loyal to his uncle, Abraham. He was a diligent worker and overseer. Lot's Weaknesses Lot could have been a great man , but he let himself get distracted. Life Lessons Following God and living up to his potential for us requires constant effort. Like Lot, we are surrounded by a corrupt, sinful society. Lot could have left Sodom and made a place for himself, his wife, and daughters where they could serve God. Instead, he accepted the status quo and stayed where he was. We can't flee from our society, but we can live God-honoring lives in spite of it. Lot had a wonderful teacher and holy example in his uncle Abraham, but when Lot left to go out on his own, he did not follow in Abraham's footsteps. Attending church regularly keeps us focused on God. A Spirit-filled pastor is one of God's gifts to his people. Listen to God's Word at church. Let yourself be teachable.

Resolve to live a life pleasing to your heavenly Father . Hometown Ur of the Chaldeans. References to Lot in the Bible Lot's life is featured in Genesis chapters 13, 14, and 19. He is also mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:9, 19; Psalm 83:8; Luke 17:28-29, 32; and 2 Peter 2:7. Occupation Successful livestock owner, Sodom city official. Family Tree Key Verses Genesis 12:4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. ( NIV ) Genesis 13:12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. (NIV) Genesis 19:15 With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Hurry!

Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished." (NIV) Genesis 19:36-38 So both of Lot's daughters became pregnant by their father. The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today. The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today. (NIV) What is the story of Abraham and Lot? What is the story of Abraham and Lot? Subscribe to our Question of the Week : Question: "What is the story of Abraham and Lot?" Answer: The story of Abraham (originally Abram) and Lot begins with Abraham’s father, Terah. Terah left Ur of the Chaldeans and traveled west to Haran with Abraham; Abraham’s wife, Sarah (originally Sarai); and Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Terah died in Haran (Genesis 11:32).

In Genesis 12:1-3, Abraham received a calling from the Lord: “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” This promise included a land, a nation, and a people. Abraham obeyed, taking Sarah and Lot with him, along with their servants and possessions, and settled at Shechem (Genesis 12:6). After a brief time in Egypt during a famine (Genesis 12:10-20), they returned to Canaan. There, Abraham’s and Lot’s servants were involved in arguments over grazing areas for their large herds of livestock. Abraham and Lot agreed to part ways, with Abraham giving Lot first choice of land. Lot chose the land of the plain of Jordan, near Sodom and Gomorrah, because of the rich pastureland there. Abraham settled near Hebron (Genesis 13).

Lot’s choice proved to be a foolish one, as the wickedness of Sodom was very great (verse 13). The grass was greener near Sodom, but greener is not always better. An alliance of four kings attacked Sodom, and Lot and many others were taken captive. Upon hearing the news, Abraham led a force of 318 men to rescue Lot. As Abraham returned victoriously from the battle, he gave a tenth of the spoils to a priest named Melchizedek (Genesis 14). God then renewed His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15), which included the promise of a son. Abraham and Lot’s story reveals how God can call anyone to accomplish great purposes. It also illustrates the folly of making decisions based solely on external appearances. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12). The path to Sodom seemed right to Lot, but it almost cost him his life.

Learning from Abraham about the Life of Faith | Bible.org Learning from Abraham about the Life of Faith Article contributed by In the Bible's hall of fame in Hebrews 11, candid pictures are given of great men whose faith stands out in Old Testament history like stars on a dark night. All except Abel and Enoch are descendants of Abraham, the man of faith. In this chronicle Abraham is given almost half the space, twice that allocated to the law-giver, Moses. Likewise in Genesis, the story of Abraham and his family is spread over the book from chapter 11 through chapter 50, while only two chapters are given to the entire story of creation. What was there in the life of Abraham that distinguished him as a man of faith? The life story of Abraham begins in Ur of the Chaldeans where Abraham lived in a comfortable home and in pleasant circumstances. Archaeology has disclosed that Ur, located not too far from Babylon, was a prosperous city with lovely homes, beautiful parks and public buildings. Abraham was comfortable and secure in Ur, but it was also a wicked city where pagan sacrifices — including human sacrifices — abounded. This was no place for Abraham's faith to be nurtured.

According to Genesis 12:1, God directed Abraham to leave Ur, leave his kindred, and dwell in tents for the rest of his life. Abraham started out with his father and his nephew, Lot, and got as far as Haran. Only when his father died did Abraham move on to the promised land with Lot. At long last he had come to the place of God's appointment. Hebrews 11:8 records, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his possession, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going".* Abraham Went to the Land God Promised Him In the prophetic program, the promise of the land was to be one of the main elements of Israel's destiny. Abraham's descendants went down to Egypt, but came back to the land. In the captivities, Israel was carried out of the land only to come back after seventy years as God had predicted. Finally after the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70, they were literally scattered all over the world.

In the last half of the twentieth century they came back, probably the beginning of the final regathering of Israel which will be completed at the second coming of Christ. For Israel, the land is the place of blessing. For the Christian, the life of faith is living in God's appointed place in this life. While free to pray for changes in our physical circumstances, a Christian is willing to accept by faith the place God appoints for his service and testimony. In Abraham's life, he manifested faith that God would supply his needs: "By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who are heirs with him of the same promise" (Heb. 11:9). In his daily walk Abraham learned to trust the Lord. God's provision was not only a matter of faith for a time, but it was also a matter of faith for eternity. Hebrews 11:10 reveals that in addition to accepting the promise that his descendants would inherit the land, Abraham looked forward to his own eternity, "for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God" (Heb. 11:10).

Abraham had hope for this life, but he also had hope for a life to come. Our Possessions Are Always Temporary How important it is for those who live by faith to recognize that earthly possessions are always temporary, and only that which is eternal abides forever. God has not exhausted His grace in providing for us in this life. For the Christian, there is also the hope of the blessing of our eternal home, the New Jerusalem, the central feature of the new heaven and the new earth. Abraham, despite his great faith, had one great frustration. For most of his life he and Sarah, his wife, had no children. How could the promises of many nations coming from him, and of his descendants inheriting the land, be fulfilled if he had no children? According to Genesis 15:1-3, Abraham suggested that his chief servant, Eliezer, be made his heir, but God said, "This man will not be your heir" (Gen. 15:4). Sarah, too, though she is commended for her faith in Hebrews 11:11, suggested to Abraham that he have a child by Hagar, an Egyptian slave that they had brought back with them from Egypt.

In due time Ishmael was born, and Abraham's heart was delighted. But this was not the plan of God for the line of faith that would culminate in Jesus. When Abraham was already ninety-nine years old and Sarah was ninety, there was really no human basis for hope that Sarah would bear a son. Nevertheless God said, "Sarah, your wife, shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac" (Gen. 17:19). Hebrews records it, "By faith Abraham, even though he was past age — and Sarah herself was barren — was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand of the seashore" (Heb. 11:11-12). Abraham by faith believed that God would supernaturally give him a son. Abraham Believed God – Do You? In like manner, we today by faith believe that God has given His Son, born of a virgin, one who died on the cross and rose again. And like Abraham, we are justified by faith.

Of Abraham it was said, "Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He promised. This is why it was credited to him as righteousness" (Rom. 4:20-22). The supreme test of Abraham's faith was yet to come. Fiery tests of faith which occur early in life sometimes climax in much greater tests of faith in a time of spiritual maturity. So it was with Abraham. When Isaac had reached his early teens, God told Abraham to do a strange thing. One day God said to Abraham, "Take now your son, your only son, whom thou lovest, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you" (Gen. 22:2). What an astounding command! Abraham was to take the promised son on whom all the promises of God for the future of Abraham depended, and offer him as a human sacrifice upon an altar on a distant mountain.

Even though Abraham had been accustomed to human sacrifices in his pagan life in Ur, how could this possibly fit into the plan of God? What was to happen to all the promises that depended on Isaac? While Abraham early in life manifested the human tendency of incomplete obedience and incomplete faith, there is no scriptural record of any wavering. Early the next morning the journey began. Sarah apparently was not even informed. It would have been too much to expect her to understand. Taking two young men with him, his son Isaac, and wood for the offering, Abraham began the journey that on the third day brought them near to the place of sacrifice. When Isaac asked the searching question, "Behold, the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" (Gen. 22:7). Abraham replied, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son" (Gen. 22:8). When they came to the place, Abraham apparently had to tell what he was about to do. And Isaac, being a strong young man, had to be willing to be bound on the altar as God had directed Abraham.

Just as Abraham took the knife to take the life of his own son, God stayed his hand, and told him to offer instead a ram caught in a thicket nearby. Hebrews expresses it: "By faith Abraham, when God him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, 'Through Isaac shall your promised offspring come'" (Heb. 11:17-18). Although God intervened and saved the life of Isaac, the day would come when God's own son would be stretched upon a cross, and God would not undertake to save Him because there was no other acceptable sacrifice for sin. How Mature Is Your Faith? The incident with Isaac reveals more clearly than any other the maturity of Abraham's faith. As stated in Hebrews, "Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death" (Heb. 11:19). Abraham had such confidence in God that he believed that out of the ashes of the sacrificed Isaac — consumed as a burnt offering — he would be restored in resurrection to his father to fulfill the promises of God.

In a similar way Christians can point to the empty tomb and the resurrected Christ, and believe the miracle of the power revealed on that resurrection morning. As Abraham pinned his hope on a son who in a figure was resurrected from the dead, the Christian can put his trust in one who literally died for his sins and literally rose from the grave. Abraham was a man of faith who believed he could live in God's place, who believed in God's provision for him in time and eternity, who believed the promise of the son whom God would give him miraculously, and who believed in God's divine power of resurrection. Our Christian faith today stands upon the same foundation. Like Abraham, we are called to live by faith in the living God who will accomplish for us in time and eternity all that He has promised in His love and grace. *New Testament Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. The "NIV" and "New International Version" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society.

Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society. All Old Testament quotations are from the New American Standard Bible. © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973. Used by permission. Bible Personalities: The Lesson of Lot Home Ambassador Youth Volume 5, Issue 4 Bible Personalities: The Lesson of Lot by Bruce A. Ritter Calling him “just” and “righteous,” the Bible states that Lot was “vexed” by the vile and corrupt conduct of ancient Sodom. But why did he choose to stay there for so long? Save Subscribe Tensions increased. Men from opposing sides exchanged angry words. The scent of potential violence lingered in the air. If left unresolved, the problem could spill into bloodshed. The patriarch Abraham (then called Abram) owned a large and growing number of oxen, goats and sheep, as did his nephew Lot. As each man’s herd increased in number, Abraham and Lot soon discovered there was not enough green pasture and fresh drinking water to supply the needs of both herds ( Gen.

13:1-6 ). Because of this, “there was a strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle” ( vs. 7 ). Fearing that violence would ensue, Abraham wisely offered his nephew a peaceful solution: “Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself, I pray you, from me: if you will take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left” ( vs. 9 ). Lot agreed, though probably with mixed emotion since it meant leaving Abraham, who had been a surrogate father to him for many years. The Bible describes Lot as “just” and “righteous,” which meant he kept God’s Law. Undoubtedly he learned it growing up under the wing of his uncle and mentor, Abraham. Lot had witnessed Abraham’s personal example of changing from a life of worshipping idols to becoming a great servant of the true God. Lot observed that when his uncle received God’s calling to leave his home, country and family to journey to a faraway foreign land, Abraham obeyed his Maker without question.

Taking his wife and nephew and a caravan of servants, cattle and other possessions, Abraham departed for foreign territory, trusting in God to direct his steps. This and other tremendous instances of exercising faith must have made a profound impact on Lot’s life. Now it was time for him to journey on his own. Lot peered into the distance, scanned the surroundings, and chose to move his herdsmen and cattle to the lush Jordan Valley, which was well watered and teeming with fertile pastures ( vs. 10 ). This seemed like a wise choice—but Lot did not take into account the physical and spiritual dangers he would encounter there. How Was Lot “Vexed”? The book of Hebrews describes Abraham as a “sojourner”—a spiritual “stranger” and “pilgrim” who refused to embrace the ways of this world. He could have lived in a grand palace or some other permanent home befitting a man of his great stature and wealth. Instead, Abraham chose a nomadic life of residing in tents and moving from place to place, never settling down to establish roots in a world cut off from God. “For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God” ( Heb.

11:10 ). Abraham was a type for all who “seek…first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness” ( Matt. 6:33 )—who “desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for He has prepared for them a city” ( Heb. 11:16 ). This was a life lesson Lot had to learn. Rather than keeping himself from becoming personally attached to society and its pagan customs and traditions, “Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom” ( Gen. 13:12 ). To say that this was a HUGE mistake would be an understatement, for “the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly” ( vs. 13 ). By living among people who devoted their lives to evil, Lot was “vexed with the filthy conversation [conduct] of the wicked. (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds)” ( II Pet. 2:7-8 ).

Here the word “vexed” means “to make trouble for; to treat roughly; to afflict or oppress with evils.” Think about the wicked and corrupt behavior Lot witnessed day after day, which greatly troubled him as he strove to obey God. Imagine the worldly pulls and peer pressure he had to battle and endure as he interacted with neighbors, merchants, civic leaders and other citizens. Ezekiel 16 states that ancient Sodom’s “iniquity” was “pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness,” as well as being “haughty” and failing to care for and “strengthen the hand of the poor and needy” ( vs. 49-50 ). Sodom was a city of great riches, as were the other cities and towns of the plain. Its people possessed the finest foods, clothing and various other goods. With their lives surrounded by countless items of luxury, the citizens were self-satisfied and smug about their existence. They saw no need to seek after God. Their pride led them to believe they could live any way they chose—and without consequences.

When it came to matters that belonged within the holy confines of marriage, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah rebelled against God’s original intent and engaged in unspeakable practices. And they were unashamed—in fact, proud—of their “alternative lifestyles” and perverse ideas—just like the “sophisticated” and “progressive” cities of today, especially those in the modern nations of Israel ( Isa. 3:9 ). Sodom’s pride over its great abundance of material goods also led to government corruption and favoritism. Its people rejected God and His protection for those who obey Him, and instead trusted in a military alliance among the five cities of the plain ( Gen. 14:8 ). Also, residing in Sodom placed Lot in crowded living conditions. Being in daily close quarters made it easier and faster for citizens and visitors to exchange ideas, traditions, customs and practices. Lot was in the midst of this, constantly battling the temptation to mix pagan beliefs with the Way of God. Abraham and Lot Abraham and Lot Abraham and Lot had experienced hard times together even before their journey to Canaan.

Lot's father, Haran, had died years earlier in Ur, and Lot seems to have joined his uncle Abraham and grandfather Terah. It becomes apparent that Abraham adopted Lot. They traveled together, and they worshiped together. Abraham and Lot became like father/son. They shared a bond of blood, friendship, and love. They had seen God's provision for them through their many experiences together - both good and bad. However, despite their long-standing relationship, they would end up parting ways. Genesis 13:1-4 describes Abraham and Lot leaving Egypt very wealthy men and heading straight back to Bethel; unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai; Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord." Immediately upon arriving at Bethel, Abram seeks fellowship with the Lord. He seeks restoration from the experience in Egypt. Abraham and Lot had encountered the Pharaoh of Egypt, one of the most powerful individuals in the world. Abraham and Sarah had suffered a traumatic experience. Although restored to the Lord, Abram began to experience conflict on a new front.

Genesis 13:5-11 tells the story of the separation of Abraham and Lot. As Abraham and Lot had both traveled to Egypt, Lot no doubt had acquired much wealth for himself through his uncle Abram's good fortune. The herdsmen of Lot began to come into conflict with the herdsman of Abram, which seems to have led to conflict directly between Abraham and Lot. Abraham & Lot pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai. Internal strife would've been visible to everybody in Abraham's house. If perceived by neighbors it could be taken as a sign of weakness and vulnerability. Verse 7 makes it a point to state; "the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in the land." Tensions were high, and Abraham shows a side that will be seen later in his life when arguing for the populations of Sodom and Gomorrah . Abraham becomes a peacemaker, a negotiator among men. He urges Lot to choose a direction. Lot can go freely with all his herds, servants and other numerous possessions. If Lot goes to the left, then Abram will go to the right.

As the oldest member, and head of the family, it was clearly Abram's right to choose first what land he wanted for himself. PAGE CONTENTS Abram's Rescue of Lot ( Gen. 14:14-16 ) However, Abram shows his humility and his relationship with YHWH. He allows Lot to choose. Lot hastily looks up and takes notice of the plain of Jordan, where sat five prosperous and wealthy cities. These cities represented the heartland of Sodomite society. A difference in character between Abraham and Lot can be seen through Lot's decision, and Abraham's reaction. Gen. 13:10-11 "And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere...even as the garden of the Lord...Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east; and they separated themselves the one from the other." What is interesting is the reference to the Garden of Eden . It has been suggested by scholars, such as Henry Morris, that Abraham possessed the writings that contained the "book of the generations of Adam". The story of a beautiful and luxurious garden would have been well known, and is alluded to here in this passage.

It is also likely the wickedness of the inhabitants of the plain of Jordan was well known to Lot as well. Abraham and Lot were familiar with many different gods and belief systems. The Bible states Terah worshiped other gods, and consequently Abraham came from an idolatrous background steeped in traditions from ancient Sumeria and possibly Egypt. Perhaps Lot was reminded of "the land of Egypt" when he gazed at the plain of Jordan, and sought after the same luxurious lifestyle. Abraham and Lot had been living a nomadic lifestyle for a number of years. They lived in large canvas tents, spending most of their time in the desert. They stayed on the move as nomads, though Abraham dwelt primarily in Beersheba and Mamre, or Hebron. At first Lot did not abandon his nomadic lifestyle completely. He did not dwell in the actual cities themselves, but we are told in verse 12 that he "pitched his tent toward Sodom." He lived in the outer regions of the immediate cities, and enjoyed the wealth they provided without direct contact with day to day city life. Yet, as the Genesis narrative progresses, Lot becomes much more involved in the affairs of Sodom.

Abraham and Lot become entwined with the fate of these wicked Cities of the Plain. Genesis 14:12 makes mention of Lot living in Sodom. The king of the city rebelled against his Mesopotamian master, who in turn invaded the land plundering his way down the King's Highway and into the Plain.Thousands were slaughtered. Lot was captured and carried off with all his possessions. In Genesis 19:1 Lot is seen sitting in the gateway of the city, a place reserved for the business leaders of the community. Thus it seems Lot moved closer to the city, or at least had taken a leadership role in the city as those were the ones at the city gate. Lot teeters on the edge of losing favor with God. Only Abraham's bargaining with YHWH Himself would save Lot and his family. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON ABRAHAM AND LOT. Do you believe Abraham really existed? What are your insights into the lives of Abraham and Lot? Click on the above link and share your insights, comments, and questions with us! Abram, however, dwelt almost exclusively in the hill and desert country of the Negev, translated in the King James simply as "the south".

Abram's lifestyle was much more rugged than Lot's. He was also much more secluded, as he dwelt in the land tucked away from the more densely populated regions of the plain, the seacoast and the Jezreel Valley. As Abram was living in the hill country God once again spoke to His servant and confirms His promise of future blessing. "And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth" One can imagine Abram standing on the elevated peak of Mt. Hebron, staring out in all directions, imagining the time when God's promise would be fulfilled. Not only would all of this land be his, but his offspring would be as numerous as the dust. This was a supremely important promise to Abram. For up to this point in time, he had been without a son. In fact, scripture makes note of this early on in Abram's story.

Genesis 11:30 "But Sarai was barren; she had no child." These words were spoken right before Abram and Terah left Ur. This had been a burden on their marriage since the earliest days of their relationship. For whatever reason, God had withheld a child from Abram and Sarai. Abram obeys when God tells him in verse 17 to; "Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee." Abram descended from the hill country into "the plain of Mamre", which is said to have been in Hebron. Hebron, of course, was not known by this name at the time of Abraham and Lot. It is believed this bit of information was added by Moses to identify the location to future readers of the narrative. Regardless, Abraham and Lot had called Hebron, and its surrounding area, home for quite some time. Bible scholars and linguists argue this is common practice in Genesis, as current names were used to help identify ancient locations. The newer versions of the Bible translate this phrase, "plain of Mamre", as, "terebinth grove of Mamre".

A sketch of ancient Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel today. THE CITY OF JERUSALEM Mamre receives its name from an Amorite chieftain who had settled there earlier. Genesis 14:13 briefly describes this man as having two brothers, Eshcol and Aner, both of whom are allied with Abram. Abraham and Lot would have formed bonds with the local inhabitants of Canaan. Abraham clearly enjoyed good relations with his local Canaanite neighbors. Abram, as he had done previously, built an altar to the Lord. This was to be home for Abraham and he wanted a place to worship his God with his family. He was ready for a peaceful, stable existence. In Mamre, historians claim that Abram lived in quiet and security for some years after his split with Lot. Though Abraham and Lot had parted ways, it is most likely the two kept in close contact. Archaeology has shown that Canaan was a peaceful land in these times. Excavations at biblical sites such as Shechem, Bethel, Hebron, Ur, and Haran have proven these cities to be as the Bible said during the time of Abraham.

All the lands, from Syria through the Sinai, were known to have experienced a period of peace and prosperity. Study Resource Jerald F. Dirks holds B.A. and M.Div. degrees from Harvard University, M.A. and Psy.D. degrees from the University of Denver, and a Sessions Program Certificate from Al-Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University. In Abraham: The Friend of God, Dr. Dirks constructs a chronological biography of Abraham, from a wide range of Judaeo-Christian and Islamic traditions, including the Bible, the Pseudepigrapha (i.e., Jubilees and the Genesis Apocryphon), the Qur'an, the authenticated sayings (Sahih Ahadith) of Prophet Muhammad, and the classic books of ancient history authored by Josephus and Al-Tabari. (review from amazon.com) Click on the link below to obtain your copy from amazon.com. Abraham: The Friend of God It is the intent of this site to offer resources for you, the reader, that will enhance your understanding of God's Word, and the historical and social contexts of the times. Please support our sponsors if this product interests you. Any feedback you have is greatly appreciated.

Just click on the Contact Us tab on the Nav Bar. Thanks and enjoy! ABRAHAM and LOT The Northeastern Kings (Gen. 14) Genesis 14 finds Abraham and Lot in the middle of an open rebellion. This chapter describes a scenario that was very common in the ancient world. The region of Sodom and Gomorrah had apparently been paying tribute as vassal cities to Chedorlaomer, King of Elam. In the thirteenth year, the cities of the plain - Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Zoar - all joined together in rebellion by refusing to pay the tribute. Chedorlaomer's response was swift and destructive. At this point history, kingdoms were small consisting mainly of city-states, and alliances and confederations formed amongst city-states.

Chedorlaomer's confederation included: Amraphel, King of Shinar, or Babylonia; Arioch, King of Ellasar, the leading tribe in southern Babylonia; Chedorlaomer, King of Elam, the original kingdom of Persia, and also the leader of the alliance; and Tidal, who is said to have been King of nations, scholars have argued this is more than likely meant to represent a tribe of northeastern Babylonia. Archaeology has shown that such invasions occurred frequently in Bronze Age Canaan. Though these armies were small in comparison to later armies, they were nonetheless every bit as destructive. With an alliance of four kings, the size of this army was likely very large. A map of the lands involved in the alliance of the Northeastern Kings - those kings which joined Chederlaomer in his invasion of Sodom and Gomorrah. CHEDERLAMOER'S ARMY MARCHED DOWN THE KING'S HIGHWAY How the Cities of the Plain fell into the captive hand of Chederlaomer originally is not stated by the Bible. It seems logical the king had come to the region earlier and imposed such tribute.

Chederlaomer and his crew came this time to leave an example rebellion would not be tolerated. According to the biblical narrative, the invading army destroyed all tribes north, east and west of the Salt Sea (The Dead Sea). Their victims included; the Rephaim , located in Ashtaroth east of the Sea of Galilee; the Zuzim, peoples living east of the Jordan River and south of Ashtaroth; and the Emim in Kiriathaim, east of the Dead Sea. These peoples, the Rephaim, Zuzim, and Emim, have similar names meaning, "giants", or "the terrible ones", "the mighty ones", "the powerful ones". They have been associated with the tribes of Anak. The Zumim are thought to be the same as the Zamzummin of Deuteronomy 2:20. These people are said to have been giants and a great people, very numerous and very tall. The sons of Anak have been identified with the Nephilim , found in Genesis 6:4. The Nephilim were a mighty people, proud and ferocious. They have also been associated with extreme evil.

The pre-diluvian Nephilim were possibly the offspring of fallen angels and women. The tribes mentioned above, living in Canaan, were most likely the descendants of these Nephilim. Whoever these people were, the strength and brutality of Chederlaomer's invading force clearly overwhelmed the local population. Chedorlaomer continued his invasion as he marched this troops southward, where they conquered the Horites in Mount Seir. Archaeology has shown that these were the Hurrians, one of antiquities leading tribes of the Middle East. After smiting these people, the Northeastern Confederacy continued its destructive path by turning northward at El-Paran. From El-Paran, Chedorlaomer swept through the land heading northward, toward the cities of the plain conquering the land which would belong eventually to the Amalekites, descendants of Esau. The force also conquered a group of Amorites living in the region, and after taking Kadesh-barnea, moved into Tamar, where the alliance made camp. Abraham and Lot would soon encounter this terrifying army.

A map of the movements of King Chederlaomer's alliance as they marched down the King's Highway east of the Jordan, on their way to lay siege to Sodom and Gomorrah. From here the invasion force would meet head to head with the five rebellious cities of the plain. All the previous destruction had been on account of the rebellion of the King of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, and Zoar. It was four kings against five. Scripture relates that the battle was to take place in "the vale of Siddim". This phrase is interesting because it hints at the regions prosperity. Not only was the region rich in agriculture, but also in metals and bitumen, or "slime pits". Bitumen becomes petroleum, which becomes oil. Perhaps this is one of the reasons which made the area attractive in the first place to the invading Kings from the North. Black Gold was found in abundance in the region. This alone was enough to draw the attention of rivals. The result of the rebellion was disastrous for the cities of the plain. They were overwhelmed by the King of Chedorlaomer and his alliance.

Scripture tells how the Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled and fell into the plain's slime pits. Those that did not fall into the pits, fled to the mountains. Genesis 14:11 "And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way." Not only did they loot the cities, but they took captive the peoples living in and around the plain. This included Lot, all that he had and all those that lived with him. Some local residents, however, managed to escape into the surrounding forest and wilderness. Some fled to nearby cities, warning of the invasion. Some fled to caves in the Dead Sea area, where for centuries people have fled to and sought refuge in. These people eventually settled in new locations throughout Canaan. One such survivor, according to scripture, found his way to Abram in Mamre.

Genesis 14:13 "And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner; and these were confederate with Abram." This is the first mention of the word Hebrew, and it is associated directly with Abram. This, of course, raises many interesting questions as to the exact ethnicity of the Hebrew, or Israelite, people. The word's origin is unknown, and many scholars have associated it with the name Eber , a distant descendant of Abram and the great-grandson of Shem. Others suggest it is associated with the Habiru . The Habiru are an extremely interesting group of people who seem to have had no national identity, no central government of any kind, yet represent a heterogeneous social element that was to be dealt with by local authorities, and even empires such as Egypt and Sumeria. Abraham and Lot, and their families, were labeled by the existing authorities of the day as part of the Habiru class of people. Thus, Abram was identified as "Abraham, the Habiru", living in Canaan.

He and his nephew Lot had been through much together. Now, however, things had escalated as a marauding army had taken Abraham's nephew captive. Abraham was forced to rescue his nephew from imminent death or slavery. Tablets found at sites such as Ebla and from the ancient Hurrians at Mari contain biblical names such as Abram, Leah, Isaac, Jacob, etc. The tablets shed light on the Habiru and the daily life of individuals within this era of the Bible. These documents contain administrative and legal manuscripts that speak of similar events found throughout the biblical narrative. Whatever one's belief about the word, it was clearly used to distinguish Abraham and Lot from the other inhabitants of Canaan. As Abraham and Lot had prospered over the years financially, Abram had formed bonds with local leaders as seen in his pact with Mamre and his two brothers. Scripture later indicates that men from Mamre, Aner, and Eshcol accompanied Abram in his rescue mission from Lot. Abram's Rescue of Lot ( Gen. 14:14-16 ) There is no hesitation in Abram's response to his finding out Lot had been taken captive. Abraham and Lot were family. Despite their earlier differences, Lot was like a son to Abraham.

Thus, Abraham immediately musters every fighting man in his household. Scripture tells he mustered 318 fighting men, all of them trained in his own household. Notice the detailed number of 318 men. This detail adds authenticity to the account, as if an eye-witness counted precisely 318 men and felt it necessary to record the exact number of men involved. A map of Abraham's route on his rescue mission for Lot. Abraham and his men were successful in their rescue mission. Abram had become a well respected tribal chieftain, or king. Though scripture does indicate such, it would not be unusual for local men sympathetic to Abram to accompany him on his rescue mission. Thus, it is possible that some of the local Amorites joined with Abraham. Genesis 14:14 describes how Abram and his party pursued the invading army all the way to Dan. Dan was approximately 125 miles north of Mamre. It would seem logical that a force of such size would be easy to track through a country as burnt villages and fields surely dotted the landscape. Abram and his party would have encountered the dead bodies strewn unceremoniously in ditches on the side of the road.

Abram had no choice but to trust God, as his force would have been severely outnumbered. Abraham shows his military prowess in this episode. He marched his men all night, catching up with the unsuspecting invaders near Dan. At Dan, north of the Sea of Galilee, Abram divided his forces and by night attacked the enemy. The enemy was completely taken by surprise. Scripture tells of Abram's army destroying the Northeastern Alliance, and pursuing them as far north as "Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus". Damascus is approximately 50 miles north of Dan, thus, Abram had journeyed a total of approximately 175 miles in pursuit of Lot. After defeating the armies of the four kings, Abram departed for Mamre with all of the stolen goods, including Lot and all of Lot's possessions. Abraham and Lot were reunited. Abraham's 318 men had trounced an alliance of 4 kings from Mesopotamia. These 4 kings had trounced a number of foes east of the Jordan, and then conquered Sodom and Gomorrah. How was Abraham able to come away victorious? Undoubtedly YHWH had something to do with it.

Perhaps this is why Abraham encountered one of the Bible's most mysterious personalities on his way back from the operation - Lot, other captives and all of the spoil in tow. The King of Sodom went out and met Abram at the "valley of Shaveh", and even offers Abram all of the spoil he wants in return for the persons taken. Abram declines the Kings offer, stating he only wants "that which the young men have eaten, and the portion for the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion." Abram, instead, gives God the glory and encounters the mysterious personage of Melchizedek , whom scripture calls "the priest of the most high God". Melchizedek then blesses Abram in the name of "the most high God". In return, Abram tithes from his wealth to Melchizedek. This encounter has provoked much debate and many questions as to the identity of this priest, and how a priest of "the most high God" could have existed in Canaan before Abram arrived in Canaan. Abraham is believed to have been the only individual in Canaan worshiping God Almighty.

However, Genesis makes it clear there was already a priest living in Jerusalem during the time of Abraham. Who this priest was, though, and the nature of his existence is unknown. Over four thousand years later the identity of Melchizedek has remained a mystery to this very day. Abram and Lot - Jewish History Jewish History The Covenant Abram Goes To Egypt While Abram was on this journey, a famine broke out in the land, and Egypt, so long known as the storehouse of the world, became the goal of Abram’s wandering. Knowing the evil ways and morals of the Egyptians, Abram tried to hide his fair wife Sarai. But the custom-officers discovered her and took her into King Pharoah’s palace, believing her to be Abram’s sister and not his wife. At night, G‑d appeared to Sarai and assured her that nothing would happen to her. And G‑d smote Pharaoh and his men with plagues, and they could not touch Sarai. When they found out the reason for all the trouble that had come to them, Pharoah called Abram and rebuked him for not having revealed to him that Sarai was his wife.

Then he sent Abram and Sarai away, after he had given them many gifts of cattle and servants. The Strife of the Herdsmen The famine ended, and Abram and his household, among them his nephew Lot, returned to their old place in Canaan, between Beth-El and Ay. Abram was now very rich. He had flocks, silver, and gold in abundance. Lot also had a great number of sheep and cattle. But whereas Abram’s shepherds abided strictly by the rules given to them by their pious master concerning trespassing upon the property of others, Lot’s shepherds were rough men who did not respect this spirit of justice. Thus there were constant arguments and strife between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. Soon complaints reached Abram about the misbehavior of Lot’s herdsmen and the strife between the shepherds. Abram therefore called Lot and said to him: “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before thee?

Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me; if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if thou take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” Abram and Lot Separate Abram and Lot were standing on the height near Beth-El, and: from this point they gazed over a wide extent of country. They looked down into the fruitful and blooming valley of the Jordan; it was indeed like the Garden of Eden, or like the rich land of Egypt they had just left. But the people of these lovely districts “were wicked and sinners before G‑d exceedingly.” Lot made his choice without hesitation; and separating himself from his generous and unselfish kinsman, he journeyed eastward, and finally pitched his tent near Sodom, in the valley of the Jordan. Abram, left alone in his encampment near Beth-El, received from G‑d another of those promises so full of hope and gladness. He was bidden to lift his eyes to the north and south, the east and west; for all that land should belong to him and to his descendants forever.

And great and numerous should be his offspring, for G‑d pledged, “I shall make your seed as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then your seed shall also be numbered. Arise, pass through the land, in its length and in its width; for to you I shall give it.” Thus commanded by G‑d, Abram traveled southward, until he reached the city of Kiryath Arba, later called Hebron. There he was welcomed by Aner, Eshkol and Mamre, the resident lords of the Amorites. They formed an alliance, and Abram settled down in the oak-groves of Mamre. Lot a Prisoner of War Lot was soon to discover that his greed for wealth had nearly cost him not only his entire fortune but also his life. On the plain of the Jordan there were five old cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, Zebaim, and Bela or Zoar. These cities had been conquered by Chedarlaomer, the powerful king of Elam, on the east of the Tigris.

For twelve years these cities paid tribute to him, but then they rebelled, and regained their independence for thirteen years. The following year, however, the great king of Elam resolved upon crushing his former satellites; and with the help of three neighboring kings, he marched from his territory, confident of success. After having gained many victories in the east and south of the land, the kings descended upon the valley of the Jordan, the real object of their trip. The five cities trembled with terror at the approach of the conquerors. Yet, anxious to resist the invaders to the last, the kings of the five cities marched out at the head of their armies and met the enemy in the valley of Siddim, near the dangerous bitumen pits, which they hoped would entrap the unwary strangers. A desperate battle was fought. The four eastern kings overpowered their unfortunate opponents, and trapped the kings of Sodom and Gemorrah in the very bitumen pits which were to have become their own graves. The others fled in trembling haste towards the mountainous lands of Jericho. All their rich possessions fell into the hands of the conquerors.

Amongst the captives was Lot, Abram’s nephew, who had remained in Sodom, his chosen place of residence. Abram was in the oak-groves of Mamre, when a messenger, who had escaped from the battlefield, arrived with the news that Abram’s nephew was a prisoner, a slave of the great king of Elam. The Rescue Abram immediately gathered all his men, three hundred and eighteen in number, and pursued Chedarlaomer’s victorious army. It was a daring act, but it proved Abram’s firm belief in G‑d’s help and justice. Attacking by night and aided by many divine miracles, his small band of warriors defeated the overwhelmingly superior forces of Chedarlaomer. He recaptured all the loot, freed the people, and brought them back in a march of triumph, singing praises to G‑d for His miraculous help wherever he went. Laden with this wealth, and accompanied by Lot and his released fellow-captives, the conquering Abram returned towards his home.

In the valley of Shaveh he was met by the king of Sodom, who came forth with Malkitzedek, the king of Salem, who, as mentioned before, was Shem, the son of Noah, and priest of G‑d. In accordance with his priestly office, he brought bread and wine, which he gave to Abram, adding to this typical offering a blessing so true and simple: “Blessed be Abram of the Most High G‑d, Who has delivered thy enemies into thy hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of everything he had. The king of Sodom satisfied with the liberation of his captured hosts and country by Abram, gratefully offered to him the whole of the spoil he had brought back; but Abram, unwilling to be enriched by the wealth of idol worshippers, refused everything “from a thread to a shoe-strap”; yet he permitted his faithful allies Aner, Eshkol, and Mamre to take their due portions.

Question: In the Bible what relation was Lot to Abraham?
Answer: NEPHEW