74
From Eternity Past
and departed with rich spoil and many captives, among whom were
Lot and his family.
Abraham learned from one of the fugitives the story of the calamity
that had befallen his nephew. All his affection for him was awakened,
and he determined that he should be rescued. Seeking divine counsel,
Abraham prepared for war. From his own encampment he summoned
three hundred eighteen trained servants, men trained in the fear of
God, in the service of their master, and in the practice of arms. His
confederates, Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner, joined him, and together they
started in pursuit of the invaders. The Elamites had encamped at Dan,
on the northern border of Canaan. Flushed with victory, they had given
themselves up to reveling. The patriarch came upon the encampment
by night. His attack, so vigorous and unexpected, resulted in speedy
victory. The king of Elam was slain and his panic-stricken forces
routed. Lot and his family, with all the prisoners and goods, were
recovered, and a rich booty fell into the hands of the victors.
Abraham had not only rendered a great service to the country
but had proved himself a man of valor. It was seen that Abraham’s
religion made him courageous in maintaining the right and defending
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the oppressed. On his return the king of Sodom came out to honor
the conqueror, begging only that the prisoners be restored. The spoils
belonged to the conquerors; but Abraham refused to take advantage
of the unfortunate, only stipulating that his confederates receive the
portion to which they were entitled.
Few, if subjected to such a test, would have resisted the temptation
to secure so rich a booty. His example is a rebuke to self-seeking. “I
have lifted up my hand,” he said, “unto the Lord, the most high God,
the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread
even to a shoe latchet, and that I will not take anything that is thine,
lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich.” God had promised
to bless Abraham, and to Him the glory should be ascribed.
Another who came out to welcome the victorious patriarch was
Melchizedek, king of Salem. As “priest of the most high God,” he
pronounced a blessing upon Abraham and gave thanks to the Lord,
who had wrought deliverance by His servant. And Abraham “gave
him tithes of all.”