Genesis 14

Armed for Battle

“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

A while back, a close friend of mine was going through a difficult and painful season. At the time, she wasn’t close to God and had made some destructive decisions that placed her in a situation that looked completely hopeless. My heart broke for her and I didn’t know what to do at first, but I knew I couldn’t just sit back and watch the enemy devour her future. So I went to battle in prayer. Every day, I prayed for her and her situation. I spoke God’s promises over her and her family. I prayed for life where I only saw brokenness. Not long after, she came back, not just physically, but spiritually, changed and rescued. God had fought the battle as I stayed on my knees.

Genesis 14 is about Abram doing something very similar. His nephew Lot had been taken captive during a war between kings. Abram didn’t ignore it or assume someone else would step in. He took action. He gathered his trained men, pursued the enemy, and rescued Lot, his family, and all their possessions. Abram wasn’t a warrior by trade, he was a man of faith, but when it was time to fight for someone he loved, he was ready.

You might be in a time right now where someone close to you is in trouble, emotionally, spiritually, or physically. Maybe they’ve made decisions that put them in danger, or they’re simply caught up in battles they didn’t ask for. It can feel overwhelming but like Abram, you’ve been equipped. You don’t have to charge into a physical fight, but you can fight in the Spirit realm. You can gather the “trained men” of God’s Word, prayer, praise, and wise counsel and pursue what the enemy is trying to steal.

And here’s the powerful part—after Abram’s victory, he was met by Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High. Melchizedek brought him bread and wine and spoke God’s blessing over him:
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” ~ Genesis 14:19-20

Not only was Abram strengthened for battle and successful in his mission, but he was also honored and blessed for his faith and obedience. This reminds us that when we move with God’s purpose, He responds with provision, affirmation, and blessing. God sees your willingness to fight for others, and He honors that kind of obedience and intercession.

Here is how you can get started today:

• Commit to daily prayer for the one you are burdened for. Call out their name and pray God’s promises over their life.
• Write down scriptures that speak to rescue, redemption, and hope (Isaiah 61, Psalm 91, and Luke 15 are great places to start).
• Invite others to join you in prayer such as trusted friends who know how to intercede and encourage you along the way.
• Stay available and loving. Let the person know they are not alone, even if they push you away at times.
• Worship through the waiting. Praise silences the enemy and strengthens your own heart.

Today I want to encourage you to rise up like Abram when someone you love is in need. You are not helpless. God has equipped you with powerful spiritual tools to take ground in prayer and faith. Even if you don’t see the victory right away, know that every step of obedience, every whisper of prayer, and every act of love is pursuing the promise that God restores what has been lost. Just like Abram, your obedience can unlock rescue for someone else and blessing for you. Stand firm, pray bold, and trust that God is fighting alongside you.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 14

1 About this time war broke out in the region. King Amraphel of Babylonia, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Kedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim

2 fought against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).

3 This second group of kings joined forces in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea).

4 For twelve years they had been subject to King Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him.

5 One year later Kedorlaomer and his allies arrived and defeated the Rephaites at Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites at Ham, the Emites at Shaveh-kiriathaim,

6 and the Horites at Mount Seir, as far as El-paran at the edge of the wilderness.

7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (now called Kadesh) and conquered all the territory of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites living in Hazazon-tamar.

8 Then the rebel kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea.

9 They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five.

10 As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.

11 The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies.

12 They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned.

13 But one of Lot’s men escaped and reported everything to Abram the Hebrew, who was living near the oak grove belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram’s allies.

14 When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan.

15 There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

16 Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.

Melchizedek Blesses Abram

17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine.

19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.”

22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,

23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’

24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.”

Journal:

• Who in your life needs you to go to battle for them in prayer today?
• What scriptures will you begin declaring over their situation?
• Write down a prayer strategy and commit to it this week.