Genesis 14:24 (ESV) — 24 I will take nothing but what the young men have
eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre
take their share.”
NOTE: Abram was
entitled to the loot. It was an assumed practice in warfare that the conquering
force looted the defeated force. Abram shows shrewdness because looting creates
the roots of future warfare. Abram gives back everything except the food they have
eaten and the share of loot that his "soldiers" (servants) would have
expected for risking their life in battle. It is a very fair deal. It prevents
any source of future misgiving from the battle from resurfacing years later.
Included in the amount that is held back appears to be 10 percent which is
given to Melchizedek.
This also would have
been the opportunity for Lot to reconsider his living arrangements. Instead,
Lot returns to Sodom. God gives us wakeup calls routinely in life. But do we
listen before we lose everything?
PRAYER: Father, open
my eyes to see what you are doing. Help me to be sensitive to the work of your
Spirit in my life. I do not want to be like Lot. I want to obey the gentle
whisper of the Spirit. Help me to have open ears.
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