Day 4 of Week 1 The Patriarchs

Man of God Against Kings

Today's Treasure:

When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan.

Genesis 14: 14

The study begins with the scripture coming from Genesis 13: 17
God instructed Abram to "Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you"
  
How differently do you think the ground felt on the soles of Abram's calloused feet after God told him the land was his?
This is definitely a man thing! I think men pride themselves on providing for their family and having a "castle" to call his own. I am sure it was overwhelming for Abram and all he ever imagined as a dream come true.
Can you think of an experience in your own life when something felt different because you were told it was yours?
I can remember receiving my first car from my parents. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was my symbol of freedom. It was amazing sitting in it for the first few weeks while it was "sinking in" that I actually had my own car!
According to Psalm 24:1, how did the psalmist view property rights?
"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;"
 
Where does Genesis 13: 18 tell us Abram moved his tents and "went to live"?
"So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD."
 
Compare Genesis 13: 18 and 2 Corinthians 5: 1
1. above
2. "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."
 
Read Genesis 14: 1 - 16
What does this passage describe?
The struggle between kingdoms that Lot was swept up in since he lived in Sodom. Lot was taken away by the kings. When Abram found out what happened, he went in pursuit of Lot and returned with him, his possessions and people.
List those on each side of the war:
Amraphel, king of Shinar vs. Bera, king of Sodom the king of Bela
Arioch, king of Ellasar Birsha, king of Gomorrah
Kedorlaomer, king of Elam Shinab, king of Admah
Tidal, king of Goiim Shemeber, king of Zeboiim
 
What caused this war?
Rebellion against being subject to Kedorlaomer
What was the outcome of the war?

The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and their food

Review Genesis 11: 1 -4. What happened on a plain in Shinar?

The men settled there after the Lord told them to scatter. They built a city and the tower of Babel

What vested interest do we have in Sodom at this point in our patriarchal narrative?

Lot lived in Sodom

In Genesis 13: 12, Lot "pitched his tents near Sodom"

In 14: 12, Lot was taken captive "since he was living in Sodom"

Beth points out that Lot started out "near" Sodom and ended up living "in" Sodom. Isn't that what happens to us as believers when we allow ourselves to "live" near sin. Eventually, we are in the sin without even realizing how it happened. Meyer is quoted in our study as saying,
"The men who live the life of separation and devotion towards God (like Abram), are they who act with most promptness and success when the time for action comes. Lot, being in Sodom, could neither elevate its morals nor save it from attack. Abraham, living among the hills, is alone able to cope successfully with the might of the tyrant king. Oh, do not listen to those who say you must live on the level, and in the midst of worldly men, in order to elevate and save them."

From Meyer's statement above write a moral that you can share with your children, family or a friend?

If we hold ourselves to a higher standard and prepare ourselves with the Word of God, we can be ready to go to battle in defense of our faith. If we are able to defend our faith, without allowing the world to pull us down, then it is much easier to remain true to it.

What does the FB Meyer statement, "Faith makes us independent, but not indifferent" mean to you?

Basically what I stated in the previous question

Give an example from your experience

Mark 11: 20 - 26 teaches me that I can ask God to come to my salvation in prayer and he will cast my mountain into the sea. However, I have to be faithful and know that He is capable. If I were willing to listen to the doctors about my cancer, it would be easy to build my doctors up about "their medicines". However, I have to remind my doctor that the medicines can only do so much. My true healing comes from my God.  
Look carefully at Genesis 14: 13. What is Abram called?

Abram the Hebrew

This is very significant. After the Tower of Babel, God separated people into nations. When God distinguishes Abram in this scripture as "the Hebrew" he is fulfilling the covenant made in Genesis 12: 2 - 3. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing."

In Genesis 14, how does God demonstrate His faithfulness to these promises?

This is Abram's first battle as "the Hebrew" and he is successful in his pursuit

Romans 8:31 offers a New Testament explanation for the victory. What is it?

"What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Listen to this: Beth states, "through the blessing of God all can be recovered (just as Abram recovered everything he set out to recover). Never forget it." Amen, sister Beth, my health can be recovered!!! Thank you Jesus!!!

Abram the Hebrew. Tiffany the Christian. Blessed to be a blessing. Set apart to step in.
Write a prayer for a "Lot" that you know. Ask God to deliver him/her and make yourself available for the Lord's use in the task!!!
 
Have a Blessed Day in Him!
Tiffany Pate