# 112 When He Heard, He Acted

The Book of Genesis Day 112 Ge 14:1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations, 2 that they 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 All these joined together in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him came and attacked the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their mountain of Seir, as far as El Paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En Mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and attacked all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who dwelt in Hazezon Tamar. 8 And 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 joined together in battle in the Valley of Siddim 9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of nations, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar-four kings against five. 10 Now the Valley of Siddim was full of asphalt pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled; some fell there, and the remainder fled to the mountains. 11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way. 12 They also took Lot, Abram's brother's son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. 13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, for he dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner; and they were allies with Abram. 14 Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16 So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people. 17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley), after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him. 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. Historians make note of this Mesopotamian invasion in the nineteenth century B.C. but none of the kings mentioned here in Scripture can be identified with certainty. Apparently the Bible is the only place where they are identified. That’s good enough for me! There is no doubt about the geographical location of these contested areas. Some of these locales, like, Shinar, Sodom, Gomorrah, Zoar, the Salt Sea, El Paran, and Kadesh, are found in other places of Scripture. I think it’s important that the Bible mentions these kings or warlords by name because a very important name is to be brought into the picture at this time. That name is Melchizedek king of Salem. As far as the battles go, let’s just say that the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were on the losing side, and all their goods and provisions, and even some of the people including Lot and his family were taken away. Abram gets word of Lot’s lot, and he went after them with a mere 318 trained and armed servants. The mere fact that Abram had a small army tells us that Abram was quite a powerful and rich man. With God on his side and the element of a surprise night time attack, he won the day! Let us note Abram’s immediate response to the news that his nephew had been carted off by the enemy! Verse 14 says , “now when he heard!” Abram heard and he took immediate action! Let me ask you, what kind of crisis has been brought to your ears lately? What did you do about it? Is there someone in need in your own biological family? 1Ti 5:8 says, “ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” Is there some need in your local congregation? Ga 6:10 says, “ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Is there a neighbor pummeled by life and laying in the ditch? Be the Good Samaritan. Be like Abram in these cases, When he heard, he acted. Don’t worry about the odds of success, just use what God has given you and trust Him for the results. Pray: Father, forgive us for the times that we “have heard” and done nothing. Open our ears to the cries for mercy that You hear every day in our surroundings, and show us what we can do to help!