Genesis

Returning from Egypt, Abram comes back a very rich man, returning to the Northern region of Canaan between Bethel and Ai (v3). The first biblical mention of silver and gold as a possession of man (v2) was due to Egyptian generosity at Abram's departure (12:17ff). Lot was not mentioned during Abram's sojourn into Egypt, but he is again prominent in the history of the Hebrew people as he and Abram dealt with the strife between their herdsmen over the lack of resources to supply both their livestock (vv7-8). Despite Lot being Abram's nephew, both men were leaders of their own separate families and herds, and both were contemporaries of each other. Abram was at least 80 years old, and Lot was likely the same, so Abram referred to Lot as his brother (v8). Abram demonstrated a nature that was more Godly than Lot in deferring to Lot's choice of which of the lands he would take for his herds and people as they separated. Note the contrast of God's response. In response to Abram's offer, Lot greedily "lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere...So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other." (vv10-11). Lot inherited the lands of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abram did not have a greedy countenance, but rather God demonstrates the reward for a righteous nature, using the same language that described Lot's greed, "And Yahweh said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward;" And the remainder of the chapter reinforces the blessings of God's covenant with Abram, and Abrams' response of worship to God.

It is easy to quickly read past unfamiliar names in the Bible as if they are insignificant. But to do so is to conclude that God's Word is random or unintentional. For instance: "...in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar..." (v1). Is this worth spending any additional time trying to understand? Probably not, because Genesis 14 is a really important passage of the Bible that deals with other more important things (read this sarcastically). This is the chapter where Lot is kidnapped (v12), and Abraham leads 318 men to rescue him (v14). This is the chapter where we read of what many interpret as the pre-incarnate Christ in the person of Melchizedek (v18), of Salem (Jerusalem), and where Abram responds to the blessings of "El Elyon," the God Most High, with the first tithe of "a tenth of all" (v20), and refuses to accept anything from a heathen King of Sodom, "so that (he) would not say, 'I have made Abram rich.'" (v23). It might waste our time to know that Amraphel is a name that means "keeper of the gods" or that Shinar is referring to the Babel of Genesis 11 (11:2,9), making Amraphel the successor of Nimrod - the mighty one on the earth, the mighty hunter before Yahweh (10:8-9). If you read and understand this, you are aware of how close to the beginning (post-flood) Abram is when God confirms the Abrahamic covenant. If you unintentionally read past the name "Chedorlaomer king of Elam," also in just the first verse, you'll miss the opportunity to connect biblical history to archaeological evidence from 2280 BC of "the Ravager of the West, the conqueror of Chaldea" by the same name. Remember, every word of Scripture is intentional and purposed for our benefit - if we are willing to seek the truths God has for us in His Word.

"After these things (that happened in chapter 14), the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision" (v1). But in response, Abram expressed his concerns about being childless. Abram’s heir was currently a trusted servant, Eliezer of Damascus (v2), rather than his own offspring (v3). God responds by bringing Abram outside and showing him the stars, assuring him that his descendants will be just as numerous (v5). At this moment, Abram believes in Yahweh, and He counts it to him as righteousness (v6). The Hebrew word for "counted" is חָשַׁב (chashab), which carries the concept of a thorough examination of an account. It emphasizes that righteousness is not earned but rather the gift of God's grace. God then makes a covenant with Abram, revealing His plan to give the land of Canaan to his descendants (vv7,13-21). To confirm this covenant, God instructs Abram to bring specific animals and birds and divide the animals in half (vv9-10). In ancient Near Eastern customs, this "cutting of the covenant" symbolized a serious commitment, with both parties passing between the halved animals, agreeing that they would suffer the consequences of breaking it. The Hebrew word for covenant is בְּרִית (berîyth), which comes from a root that means to cut, בָּתַר (bather). The cutting, in this context, signified a solemn and binding agreement. Here (v17), only God passes through the divided pieces, symbolizing that He alone would fulfill His promises and bear the consequences if they were not fulfilled. This act underscores God's faithfulness and commitment to His chosen people, assuring Abram that despite his doubts, God's promise will be fulfilled.

Abram may have thought he was being patient with the covenant. But after waiting ten years (v3), he fathered an illegitimate son (v16). God took 14 more years to fulfill "His" timing (Gen 17:1). Taking God's plans into our own hands has consequences. Enmity forms between Sarai and her handmaid once Hagar conceives (v4). Abram and Sarai's marriage suffers (v5). Ultimately, Hagar is reminded of her place in the household as a slave, and is likely beaten, "So Sarai afflicted her" (v6). When Hagar is fleeing in the desert, God appears and tells her: "Return to your mistress" (v9). Though Hagar had not cried out to God, He "heard her affliction" (v11). Yahweh tells Hagar she will bear a son and call his name Ishmael. יִשְׁמָעֵאל (Yishmael), Shem (to hear), and el (God): "God shall hear." This is the first time a child is named before his birth. Hagar responds, “You are a God who sees... Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?”(v13). God רֱאִי ro-i, "sees" and רָאָה raah, is "seen." Even in sin, even when we do not know to cry out to God, He hears us. He sees us. And He reveals Himself to us with direction.