War and politics are the oldest form of argument. Four kings, band together to make war on five Kings who had also banded together. Exactly who these kings were is an argument for archaeologists. What is known is that the war ended with the Kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled the battle. They either were killed in the slime pits, or fled into the mountains.
Abram head of the war and discovered his nephew Lot had been captured. Abram selected 318 of Abram’s trained servants went on a rescue mission to return Lot. Abram’s forces attacked at night and were able to return all of the goods the enemy had taken, but they returned Lot as well.
Abram is hailed by Melchizedek king of Salem as a hero. Melchizedek blessed Abram in the name of God. He also told Abram to release the prisoners to him, but to keep all the spoils of the war. This is the twist of politics.
Abram refused the offer of the spoils of war, ” That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:”(Genesis 14:23) Abram wasn’t stupid. He fully realized that to accept such a gift, would come with strings at a later date. This is the danger of accepting gifts, even if you deserve them. The politics of nations, states, cities, and families are full of these stories. To quote Jesus, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s, and unto God that which is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). Anything else is an argument that can be used against you.
Abram gave God all the glory.
Read the full account of the War at Genesis chapter 14.
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