GENESIS
CHAPTER
14
1. In the days of King Amraphel of Shinar, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Chedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim, 2 these kings made war with King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shember of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 All these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Dead Sea).
(Genesis chapter 14 verses 1 to 3)
At times circumstances such as change in the leadership of a nation, a boss or supervisor at work, a parish priest, confessor or chaplain may take place. Such changes may effect our way of life or even have a positive or negative impact on our lives.
4. Twelve years they had served Chederlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 In the fourteenth year Chederlaomer and the kings who were with him came and subdued the rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shavehkiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in the hill country of Seir as far as El-paran on the edge of the wilderness; 7 then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is Kadesh), and subdued all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites who lived 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 King Chederlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Shinar, and King Arioch of Ellasar, four kings against five.
(Genesis chapter 14 verses 4 to 9)
As mentioned in previous chapters we witness the consequences of sin. Due to rebellion further strife is created. When we do not give to others what is rightfully theirs this is an injustice which has attributed to it, further sins such as rebellion and war. Instead of attempting to reach a form of agreement between the two groups of kings, they decided to refer to the ways of the world and use might instead of justice and right.
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.
(Genesis chapter 14 verse 10)
When in a state of sin in order to turn away from justice we end up running away. During such setbacks in our flight from our reality we end up in more trouble than we already are as did the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.
On reflecting sin stains our clean soul. Therefore when we fall in more sin to escape God's justice we end up in worse situations that can be described as being our wells of bitumen and become more black and dirty. Therefore our situations become more sinful and complex than they already are.
11. So the enemy took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way; 12 they also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who lived in Sodom, and his goods and departed.
(Genesis chapter 14 verse 11 and 12)
The devil who is our greatest enemy also strips us clean of our material and spiritual welfare and if we say yes to his summons can also take possession of our souls and take us straight to hell.
13. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner; these were allies of Abram.
(Genesis chapter 14 verse 13)
On reflecting not everybody remains caught in the devil's possession. There are those who place their focus on God and escape the snares of the evil one and live to spread the good news that God is the only source of our salvation.
The man who escaped went to Abram who was living alongside his allies or friends. At this point in time we can stop and ask ourselves about our own allies and or means of support and reflect on whether God is one of our allies or not. Moreover we can also question ourselves on what type of support systems we have if they, are of a material nature or of a spiritual nature.
14. When Abram heard that that his nephew had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred eighteen of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and routed them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Then he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his nephew Lot with his goods, and the women and the people.
(Genesis chapter 14 verses 14 to 16)
It seems that Abram became so emotionally involved in the situation that he resorted to violence by choosing his trained men and routed out the enemy and saved, Lot along with his goods and family. On reflecting Abram's men used weapons in order to wipe out the enemy. At this point we can think of our own weapons. Prayer to God, the rosary beads and fasting are also powerful weapons.
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 King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High.
(Genesis chapter 14 verses 17 to 18)
When the trial is overcome as in the case of Abram God gives us the much needed consolation by sending us people who are close to Him to give us the much needed encouragement. In order for us to have turned away from our sins and claim a victory over our iniquities we need to refer to the sacraments of reconciliation and communion in order to reunite with God again.
19. He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High maker of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!"
(Genesis chapter 14 verses 19 to 20)
On reflecting our attitude is to be one of thanksgiving to God during all times especially during times of crisis. Our blessings are all to be attributed to God alone who is our only deliverer.
21. Then 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 sworn to the LORD, God Most High, maker of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, so that you might not 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-Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their share."
(Genesis chapter 14 verses 21 to 24)
On reflecting Abram teaches us a very important lesson. This is that we are never to bargain with the forces of evil, and have nothing to do with it in any way.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer.
Oh God my father, please help me to foster in myself a positive attitude of reconciliation, instead of one of rebellion. Please help me to claim victory over my sinful self, and always aim at obtaining a win win situation with others, instead of seeking my own benefits over those of others. On the other hand I pray that you defend me against the forces of evil, which enable me to be divided both within myself and even in my relationships with others.
(Genesis chapter 14 verses 4 to 9)
As mentioned in previous chapters we witness the consequences of sin. Due to rebellion further strife is created. When we do not give to others what is rightfully theirs this is an injustice which has attributed to it, further sins such as rebellion and war. Instead of attempting to reach a form of agreement between the two groups of kings, they decided to refer to the ways of the world and use might instead of justice and right.
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.
(Genesis chapter 14 verse 10)
When in a state of sin in order to turn away from justice we end up running away. During such setbacks in our flight from our reality we end up in more trouble than we already are as did the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.
On reflecting sin stains our clean soul. Therefore when we fall in more sin to escape God's justice we end up in worse situations that can be described as being our wells of bitumen and become more black and dirty. Therefore our situations become more sinful and complex than they already are.
11. So the enemy took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions, and went their way; 12 they also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who lived in Sodom, and his goods and departed.
(Genesis chapter 14 verse 11 and 12)
The devil who is our greatest enemy also strips us clean of our material and spiritual welfare and if we say yes to his summons can also take possession of our souls and take us straight to hell.
13. Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner; these were allies of Abram.
(Genesis chapter 14 verse 13)
On reflecting not everybody remains caught in the devil's possession. There are those who place their focus on God and escape the snares of the evil one and live to spread the good news that God is the only source of our salvation.
The man who escaped went to Abram who was living alongside his allies or friends. At this point in time we can stop and ask ourselves about our own allies and or means of support and reflect on whether God is one of our allies or not. Moreover we can also question ourselves on what type of support systems we have if they, are of a material nature or of a spiritual nature.
14. When Abram heard that that his nephew had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred eighteen of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and routed them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Then he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his nephew Lot with his goods, and the women and the people.
(Genesis chapter 14 verses 14 to 16)
It seems that Abram became so emotionally involved in the situation that he resorted to violence by choosing his trained men and routed out the enemy and saved, Lot along with his goods and family. On reflecting Abram's men used weapons in order to wipe out the enemy. At this point we can think of our own weapons. Prayer to God, the rosary beads and fasting are also powerful weapons.
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 King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High.
(Genesis chapter 14 verses 17 to 18)
When the trial is overcome as in the case of Abram God gives us the much needed consolation by sending us people who are close to Him to give us the much needed encouragement. In order for us to have turned away from our sins and claim a victory over our iniquities we need to refer to the sacraments of reconciliation and communion in order to reunite with God again.
19. He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High maker of heaven and earth; 20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!"
(Genesis chapter 14 verses 19 to 20)
On reflecting our attitude is to be one of thanksgiving to God during all times especially during times of crisis. Our blessings are all to be attributed to God alone who is our only deliverer.
21. Then 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 sworn to the LORD, God Most High, maker of heaven and earth, 23 that I would not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, so that you might not 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-Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their share."
(Genesis chapter 14 verses 21 to 24)
On reflecting Abram teaches us a very important lesson. This is that we are never to bargain with the forces of evil, and have nothing to do with it in any way.
I would like to end this chapter with the following prayer.
Oh God my father, please help me to foster in myself a positive attitude of reconciliation, instead of one of rebellion. Please help me to claim victory over my sinful self, and always aim at obtaining a win win situation with others, instead of seeking my own benefits over those of others. On the other hand I pray that you defend me against the forces of evil, which enable me to be divided both within myself and even in my relationships with others.
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