January 17, 2023

The captives are freed.

Genesis 14

Katie Mueller
Tuesday's Devo

January 17, 2023

Tuesday's Devo

January 17, 2023

Tuesday's Devo

January 17, 2023

Tuesday's Devo

January 17, 2023

Big Idea

Escaping the captivity of sin on our own is impossible, but God has provided a way to freedom. 

Key Verse | Genesis 14:18-20

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said,

"Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!"

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Genesis 14

Abram Rescues Lot

1 In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 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). 3 And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 4 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 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, 6 and the Horites in their hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the border of the wilderness. 7 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.

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) went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim 9 with Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar, four kings against five. 10 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. 11 So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. 12 They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.

13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks 1 14:13 Or terebinths of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. 14 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. 15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.

Abram Blessed by Melchizedek

17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Possessor 2 14:19 Or Creator; also verse 22 of heaven and earth;
20  and blessed be God Most High,
    who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 21 And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand 3 14:22 Or I have taken a solemn oath to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.”

Footnotes

[1] 14:13 Or terebinths
[2] 14:19 Or Creator; also verse 22
[3] 14:22 Or I have taken a solemn oath

S2:012 Genesis 14

Listen Now

Dive Deeper | Genesis 14

Reading through Genesis 14, one can easily get bogged down with the names of kings and regions, but one word stands out: captive. In this chapter, Lot, his family, and all of his possessions have been taken captive. One of Lot's men escaped to inform Lot's uncle Abram (later known as Abraham) that Lot has been captured. Abram is likely 75 years old at this time, and yet he mobilized 318 of his trained men to rescue Lot in the middle of the night. Just one chapter prior in Genesis, Abram and Lot decided to separate because the land could not sustain both families if they remained together. Lot chose to dwell in the more lush land of Sodom, a culture well-known for sinful ways. Lot didn't stop to consider the consequences of living in a land lacking moral fiber.

It's easier for me to be a "Monday morning quarterback" and scoff at the decisions that led to Lot being taken captive by enemies and then returning to the depravity of Sodom and Gomorrah, than it is to recognize that I, too, can be captive to my own sinful nature. From an early age, I've struggled with fear and insecurities that in turn grew into anxious thoughts as an adult. My anxiety became a full-time job circa March 2020 with the global pandemic. God has lovingly sustained me as I've worked to turn these thoughts and habits over to Him. Genesis 14:20 reminds me that worthy of praise is "God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" Lot's rescue story gives me hope and assurance that God forgives and sets the captives free.

While I'm no longer a slave to my sin, I still struggle with not giving in to anxious thoughts during periods of high stress or placing unrealistic expectations on myself. 1 Peter 1:2b says, "May grace and peace be multiplied to you!" I can find rest and peace knowing that nothing I can do can separate me from the love of God. He would rescue me in the middle of the night, just like Abram rescued Lot.

This month's memory verse

We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

– John 1:45b

Discussion Questions

1. In Genesis 14:13, one of Lot's men escapes and tells Abram that his nephew Lot has been captured. This messenger reminds me of the friends in Mark 2 who were trying to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus so the friend could be healed. They couldn't find a way through the crowds, so they went up to the roof, cut a hole, and lowered him down. Do you have friends in your life who continually point you to Jesus? Are you that friend who points your captive friends to Jesus?

2. Romans 8:38-39 says, "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Do you rest in this assurance that nothing you can do can separate you from the love of God?

3. Timothy Keller wrote, "Worry is not believing God will get it right, and bitterness is believing God got it wrong." Where in your life do you find yourself dwelling in bitterness or constant worry? Can you find ways to hand these feelings over to God? Over the years, friends have encouraged me to keep a truth journal, turn to community for help in the dark moments of life, and memorize Scripture. Ask God to give you opportunities to turn worry and bitterness over to Him. 

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

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Hugh Stephenson

GM Katie! Love this- God will rescue me just as Abraham rescued Lot. Also, “Lot didn't stop to consider the consequences of living in a land lacking moral fiber.” Me either. A guy I knew years ago had been shot in the foot. He said he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Note-there is never a right time to be in the wrong place. Me and Lot…we’re slow learners. ——— There is/was lots of skepticism about this story and many Bible stories. Archeology is our friend. In a visit to Dan, I learned about the Abraham Gate. In archeology terms, it lines up with everything that’s related to this passage. Amazing. God gives me enough evidence to believe and have faith. Which leads to trust, obedience, and surrender. But…not enough evidence to make it so certain that my choice is replaced by compulsion. http://creationwiki.org/Abraham%27s_Gate https://madainproject.com/abrahams_gate
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Hugh Stephenson

Dan is long way from Sodom. As is Damascus. But we know distance was not an issue for Abraham. ————------ So, what does trusting God look like? I keep going back to all the obstacles and difficulties Abram has faced already that serve as challenges to believing God’s promises to him. -barren wife, -leaving Ur, -mortal danger, -current heir not interested, - -a war with more numerous and more powerful foes. Even if he wins, retaliation is certain. But God… "God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth"- aka “sovereign power over all the nations”. Abraham knows God and knows He can be trusted. His promises from Genesis 12 will come true. So, he goes and rescues Lot, aka “wrong time, wrong place” …in spite of Lot’s choice of better land in the “wrong place”. Then he does not help himself to the plunder as it would dishonor God. I’ll add… and show doubt in His promises. God “cracks the door open” with His promises of land, seed, and blessing.
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Hugh Stephenson

When presented an opportunity to kick the door open the rest of the way, Abraham declines. If I know God, He will give me the same opportunity. Wait? Kick? My choice is clear- Do I want to say, “Look what God has done!” Or “Look what I have done!” "We see in chapter 14 who has the real power, Lot the man who compromised with the world, or Abraham the man who lived in separation from it. You know they tell us, 'If you want to have power and influence with the world, you must live according to it, and, in a sense, be of it. If you want to win card players, you must learn to play cards,' etc." TCs notes
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emma dotter

Katie, I found this discussion question, “Do you have friends in your life who continually point you to Jesus?” really helpful, as it stirred up gratitude in my heart. I have a best friend (who is coincidentally also named Katie) who continues to point me to Jesus. This weekend we are celebrating her birthday and this morning’s devo caused me to pause and intentionally thank God for her friendship, because she has been such a great blessing in my life and tangible display of God’s love and care for me.
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Michael Sisson

Re: Gen 14:18 Genesis 14:18 (NASB95) And >>>Melchizedek king of Salem<<< brought out bread and wine; now he was a >>>priest of God Most High.<<< We know from Hebrews 7:1-3 Melchizedek is a type of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus). While both Melchizedek and Jesus fulfilled roles of king and priest, that’s not to say Melchizedek was a Christophany (a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ). In fact, Jewish tradition identifies “Malki-Tzedek” as Shem, the firstborn son of Noah, who settled in Salem [= Jerusalem] some time after the great flood. Chronologically, this seems plausible, as Shem and Abram’s lifespans would seem to overlap. Though, Heb 7:3 suggests this identification is far from certain, there is an intriguing parallel between “God of Shem” in Gen 8:26 and “priest of God Most High” in Gen 14:18. You can find more Jewish cultural context regarding Melchizedek at the Hebrew for Christians website. http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Lekh_Lekha/Melchizedek/melchizedek.html Re: Gen 14:20 See Heb 7:4-10.
KH

Kara Hoover

KATIE!!! Oh my goodness!! You just never know who you will see pop up on JTJ! So glad to see you are doing well and made your way to WM. Go Chicks!!
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Anne Rodgers

You are that friend! You point me to Jesus through your humor as we tackle(d) insecurities! You are the one I can greet with hymns and spiritual songs- literally. Love you dear one.
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Sue Bohlin

Thanks Katie! I had never noticed that Abram heard Melchizedek bless him in the name of “God Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth.” Then the next thing we read is Abram invoking “God Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth” to the king of Sodom. Same exact title for God in a time when the Yahweh-followers were just getting started in creating names and titles for Him. We still do the same thing today, hearing how others refer to God and then copying those patterns in how we relate to Him. Parents teaching children, and believers teaching other believers. Which makes sense, since we all have to learn how to relate to a Person we cannot see or touch or hear, but who is very real nonetheless.
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Kenneth Rodgers

Great devo Katie - thank you for sharing!
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Amy Lowther

1. My friends and I like Jesus, his words, his values, and his practices. Whenever we discuss anything, we consider what Jesus would say and how he would handle it. My friends and I direct people to Jesus whenever possible . 2. Yes, I rest in assurance that nothing can separate me from the love of God, but things like the pandemic and being mugged shake me a little in this area. 3. When Il look back at childhood, I remember I constantly worried about getting straight A”s, winning, and being the best at everything. I turned these worries over to God by reading and studying God’s Word and walking with Jesus daily. God thank you for helping me decrease my worrying. Thank you for giving me strength and opportunity to learn what is good and to handle what is not good. Thank you for everything. Amen.
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Alan Beam

14:18-20, Melky shows up, full of mystery. How did God have a priest? And a king of a (pagan?) nation. Why didn't God make Salem his chosen nation? No beginning and no end. Took a tithe from Abram. But he is a type of Christ.