Q2. Abraham's Rescue Mission

[Foofee's Nana]

What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character?

This tells us that he was very loyal to his family and obligations, a man of great character. He was not just going against a a small local group of rebels but a full foreign army.

About his abilities?

He must have been a forward thinker to be able to plan out the attack and he knew that God would be with him for protection.

About the way he deals with neighbors?

He must have been repected and well thought of because he convinced his neighbors to join ranks with him and rescue Lot and all of his household.

What is here for us to emulate?

To have loyalty, treat others well....and stand bu the Word and promises of God.

[Pearl]

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate?

Abraham's ability to rescue Lot showed us that he was willing to stand up for his blood relative.

Abraham had at his disposal trained men who were born in his household. Apparently these men received training for war ahead of time, therefore, they were prepared. Abraham also had allies.

We should stand up for those we are connected with, by blood, or spiritually. It also emulates that we should watch who we become friends with.

[Valkyrie Rider]

God obviously showed favor upon Abraham. With an Army of 318 and some good tacticts he was able to defeat a much larger force.

In addition he retrieved everything and everyone that had been taken, without losing a single man. This definately indicates that he had the "Favor" of God.

This could be looked at as God "bailing" him out of a problem that was of his own creation. Abraham was never susposed to take Lot with him. His instructions from God were to:

And Jehovah said to Abraham, Go out of your country, and from your kindred, and from your father's house into a land that I will show you. Gen 12:1 MKJV

While God "bailed" him out, Abraham's problems with Lot would've never happened had he listened to God from the start.

How often do we end up with problems that are of our own creation?

And we usually end up asking God to bail us out of something that we wouldn't be stuck in if we had just listened to him to start with.

[Alan8]

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate?

Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot shows Abraham's integrity and courage in the face of insurmountable odds. Abraham could have been just like a lot of us - "Well he took the best portion of land, now he is in trouble. Let him get out of it himself. But he didn't. A brother was in need and he went and helped.

Also Abraham had trained 318 men in his household. Obviously by this time he is very wealthy to have this many men. And they are trained men. I believe he learned his lesson as he went down into Egypt and was a sojourner there and other parts he was probably picked on and taken advantage of and so he raised up men for protection.

His abilities definitely show forth as he works out a strategy for his little armies and his allies. He made a covenant or a treaty with his neighbors so when he was in trouble they would come and lend a hand as well as he would help them. What is interesting is that they were Amorites who later became enemies of Israel. However Abraham lived peaceable with them which is a great testimony.

Something else here that could be missed but you need to read in between the lines. Abraham showed great courage here attacking a much bigger and powerful enemy. I believe Abraham knew that he would not die in battle. How do I know? Because of God's promises to him. I will make thee a great nation. He was not a nation yet. If he believed God's promises then it meant that he could go into this battle confident regardless of the odds and come out victorious. A man or woman today in the will of God is practically indestructible until God is through with him.

[Spen]

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate?

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1.What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? It speaks of his loyalty to his family and sense of right and wrong.

2. About his abilities? As an able and gifted planner it speaks volumes as he evidently was out numbered he had to carefully evaluate whether his small force could defeat a larger force and how.

3. About the way he deals with neighbors? That when given the chance to be the hero he chose to share the credit as well as being sure his neighbors were rewarded for their efforts.

4. What is here for us to emulate? I think Davy Crocket knew about Abraham and emulated Abraham

[wifee]

1a)Abraham does his duty, what is right in seeking the safety and well being of his nephew,women,other people and their possessions,even at own risk facing large army.

B)He is generous & uses the benefits of his wealth with his 318 trained servants ready to assist militarily to retrieve Lot.He has a stratagic mind ,ability to think tactically, and lead &coordinate the men in the rescue.

c)He was diplomatic,focused in his objective, but persuasive with his Ammorite neighbours round Hebron to encourage Mamre,Eschol and Aner to join his pursuit of the Mesopotamian army.

d)We should emulate his care for family, those persecuted and dispossessed of property even if it makes us vulnerable. We need to be of one mind, decisive in our actions.

[royk]

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate?

Abraham is loyal to Lot. I never realized Abraham did something like this until I read this Bible study. It is amazing that he owuld not hesitate to risk everything to help Lot!

I pray God wiould give me the focus and courage to hear and obey like this, in Jesus name.

[Old Jerry]

The thing that Abraham’s military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tells us that he is committed to his family. He is not afraid of people in the area and that he will defend what is his.

Abraham had the abilities to rescue Lot and that he was a good commander when in battle. He must have had some great relationships with his neighbors because he was able to convince then to help rescue Lot.

The thing that is here to emulate is that we should always try to be friends with our neighbors and to help them when they are in need.

[Craig]

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate?

 

Abraham honored his commitment to his dead brother to take care of his nephew Lot.  He honored commitments.  Abraham was a well-rounded, skilled person.  He was equipped for the day and age he lived in.  Abraham was well balanced spiritually, cognitively, and physically.  Abraham deals fairly and honestly with his neighbors.  He walked with God in his circumstances.  We should emulate Abraham in living a well balanced life with God in our day and age and circumstances.

 

[Ernie's Son]

As to the character of Abraham, he seems to have grown up, in a sense, from his time in Egypt.  There he had a fear of death, now he will risk his life for the rescue of Lot, his kin.  He must have felt responsible not only for his kin, but also to his neighbors.  Abraham may have had weaknesses and made some mistakes along the way, but the sense of growing up can be seen in Him.

 

Abraham left all to obtain the will of God in his life.  For me, he would press into and take the promises to heart.  " . . . Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; and Jam. 2:23).

 

As spiritual kin to Abraham, should I not, " . . . deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Christ)" (Mt. 16:24)?  The answer to my own question is yes.

 

 

 

 

[lighthouse2014]

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate?

Abraham;s military rescue of Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tells us he is a valiant person who is not afraid to attack an army and take back Lot and his possessions.

His abilities were good, he had allies plus his own trained men for war including weapons.

Abraham deals justly with his neighbors he has, overtime made allies who were willing to go to war with Abraham.

Things here for us to emulate is that Abraham loves his nephew Lot and is willing to die to get him back. Abraham calls him a brother because they are from the same family. I know not whether Lot was a believer in the One true God like Abraham.  

[Rosesam]

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate?

Lot had caused a fair amount of problems for Abraham. But still he is family. So when a problem arose for Lot, Abraham does not hesitate to go for his rescue. He pursued the four kings who had routed five kings of the south with his small number of 318 trained militia men about 150 miles north. That shows he believed that God would give him the victory even though he was completely outnumbered.  Even after he put the kings on the run, he pursued them far north probably till he was able to rescue Lot. He did not leave Lot till he was rescued, even though he had defeated the kings. Abraham was a peace-maker and not a trouble-maker, for he had allowed Lot to choose whatever he wanted. But now we see that he loved peace enough to fight for it, because sometimes peace-makers will have to fight to bring peace. Again in this story we see our heavenly Father’s response to His children, who is in hot pursuit of His own. Even though we are faithless, God remains faithful and He cannot deny Himself. When we are carried away by the world’s temptations or enemy schemes, the love of the Father for His children compels Him to pursue us. In the middle of the night, when things were darkest, the Father appears and defeats the enemy.

We need to emulate Abraham in that we need to pursue those who are in the family of God, till they are rescued and belong in the Kingdom. We need to depend on the Lord, for God and we is majority, and trust in Him knowing however bleak our situation may be God is with us and this should build up hope in us.

[Godswriter]

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate?

Abraham's military expedition shows us that he is full of courage and strength and he was not afraid to face the enemy because of the Lord. It also tells us that he loves his family. His abilities were not only being prepared but also being willing to battle the kings at night shows us that he knew how to fight and corner them accordingly. He respects them and chose to train them for the battle as well. We should be willing to act immediately when someone needs help and not be a bystander and let someone else help. We must also be willing to act in courage when God tells us to act.

[Paula Price]

This incident tells us that Abraham is a man of God and that his only reason to fighting was to gain the release of his relative..  He wasn't fighting to show his might or to obtain riches,,, only to rescue his family..  He is loyal and faithful to his own. Abraham proves to be wise in military matters as well and although he did not have the military might or men to attack a strong army, he trusted in God to deliver him from all evil..  We too, such put our trust in God and call upon His name when trials and tribulations befalls us.

[Irmela]

Abram is not selfish and does not hold a grudge against Lot. He did not put his own safety first but was prepared to stake all and rescue Lot. The fact that he could approach his neighbours, (Mamre, Eshcol and Aner) for help, meant that he was on a good footing with them. The fact that he did have 318 men of his own shows he was a man of means, and these people were ready to follow him into "battle". So in this way we can see Abram was prepared and did not just live a slap-dash kind of existance. Then even in the way he led tbem to the rescue. The attack was well worked out. Good strategy is reflected. Not o ly does he get back what was taken, but he makes sure the 'enemy' is chased well away. 

Live in peace with your  neighbours and do not bear a grudge. 

Be trusrworthy and kind. 

 

[Krissi]

What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate?

I rather like Abraham more after reading this. He's a great commander, savvy and calculating, capable of scheming, plotting and planning attacks. Note that Abraham was the aggressor. He wasn't acting defensively. Furthermore, he put ALL his soldiers/warriors on this mission -- his risked all. I suppose it goes without saying that had he lost the mission, he would have lost everything as they would have come back to attack his family. So he "laid it on the line." Lastly, he is a shrewd man, audacious and somewhat impulsive. The text doesn't show Abraham brooding over this decision, though he had built an altar, but pressing forward quickly.

He was loyal to those who were related, even distantly, and had formed relationships with local neighbouring tribes which were needed at this time. I'm sure, if his neighbours needed help, he would have been there for them.

I'm not sure if one can emulate characteristics or qualities that are not possessed, but this narrative does point out that if you do have the capacity to lead armies and calculatingly maneuver for advantage, that God may reward your aggression and quick thinking, and does not expect you to cower at home under the banner of Christian pacifism.