Abraham And Lot

Abraham and Lot

Q: How many trained men who were part of his household did Abraham take with him to rescue Lot from the enemy army?

• a. 18
• b. 318
• c. 1,018

Abraham (or Abram) was an unselfish man who loved and served God. Abraham’s nephew, Lot, moved with him to the new land God led Abraham to. Both Abraham and Lot had many family members and livestock: cattle, sheep, and goats. They couldn’t live close together because there wasn’t enough room for all the animals and people. So Abraham told Lot to choose which half of the land he wanted, and Abraham would take the other.

But Lot was selfish. He thought of himself first, and most of his decisions were based on what was best for him. Lot saw the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley and chose the whole valley for himself.

Abraham allowed Lot to have the best land. Not only that, but Abraham looked out for Lot even after they separated. One day some invaders captured Lot and took everything he owned. Abraham could have ignored the problem, but he gathered together 318 trained men from his household and rescued Lot and all his possessions. Abraham thought of others more than himself.

For You

Abraham was unselfish and looked out for others. Lot was selfish and took the best for himself. Who are you most like—Abraham or Lot? Do you always want the best choice, or do you let others have the best choice sometimes? Do you consider others’ feelings and needs as well as your own? If you are more like Lot, ask God to help you learn to be unselfish and giving.

Answer: b

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.   Genesis 14:14

(The Whole Story: Genesis 13:1–14:16)