Sermon Title: Untamed Trust (Gen 14:1-18)

14:1 In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar; Arioch, king of Ellasar; Kedorlaomer, king of Elam; and Tidal, king of Goiim, 2 they made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela (also called Zoar). 3 All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea). 4 They served Kedorlaomer for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. So, after the 4 powerful kings, led by Kedorlaomer, descended upon the 5 tiny tribal kings, the 5 tiny tribal kings became captive for 13 years. 5 In the fourteenth year Kedorlaomer came, and the kings who were with him, and struck the Rephaim in AshterothKarnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in ShavehKiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their Mount Seir, to El Paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 They returned, and came to EnMishpat (also called Kadesh), and struck all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that lived in Hazazon Tamar.

8 The king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out; and they set the battle in array against them in the valley of Siddim 9 against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five. 10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to the hills. 11 They took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food, and went their way. 12 They took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

13 One who had escaped (from the war) came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he (Abram) lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. They were allies of Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his house, and pursued as far as Dan. 15 He (Abram) divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is to the left of Damascus. 16 He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other people.

17 The king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Kedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was a priest to God on High. 19 He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram by God on High, owner of the sky and the land. 20 And blessed be God on High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tenth of everything.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.” 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to Adonai, the God on High, owner of the sky and the land, 23 that I will not take a thread, nor a sandal strap, nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion for the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion.”

Amraphel of Shinar

“Curse King”

Arioch of Ellasar

“Lion King”

Kedorlaomer of Elam

“Rich King”

Tidal of Goiim

“Great Son King”

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Bera of Sodom

“King Burning with Evil”

Birsha of Gommorah

“Violently Wicked King”

Shinab of Admah

“King of Father Haters”

Shemeber of Zoiim

“King of the Fatherless”

Zoar of Bela

“King who Devours the Insignificant”

Supposer's Syndrome: A spiritual condition where someone always supposes that what God desires should be questioned.

Bottom Line: Untamed Trust is the Soil that Grows Obedience to God’s Lead.