Atheist Bible Study 1: Genesis

[GrandizerII]

Abram in Action
Genesis 14

A battle is about to occur in the Valley of Siddim (i.e., the Dead Sea Valley). After 12 years of oppression by Kedorlaomer (the king of Elam), and some initial rebellion during the 13th year, Sodom and its allies have had enough and have readied their armies for war. It is now the 14th year.

Earlier that year, we see that King Kedorlaomer and his allies had gone to war against the Rephaites, Zuzites, Emites, Horites, Amalekites, and Amorites, successfully defeating them all and taking over their territories. Now they are about to face Team Sodom.

On one side, we have Amraphel (king of Shinar), Arioch (king of Ellasar), Kedorlaomer (king of Elam), and Tidal (king of Goyim). On the other side, we have Bera (king of Sodom), Birsha (king of Gomorrah), Shinab (king of Admah), Shemeber (king of Zeboyim), and an unnamed king (king of Bela/Zoar). Four against five. Team Kedorlaomer vs. Team Sodom.

The battle occurs ... and Team Kedorlaomer wins. Unfortunately for Team Sodom, many of its men fell into tar pits as they were fleeing, and all the goods they had were seized by the victors. In addition, Lot (who was living in Sodom) was taken hostage.

When Abram found out about what happened (thanks to the report of a man who had successfully escaped), he gathered his army of 318 trained men and, accompanied by Mamre and his two brothers, went for the rescue. Using the clever tactic of "divide and conquer" during the night, Abram pursued Team Kedorlaomer over long distances and was finally able to defeat them, recovering the goods and rescuing Lot and the other hostages.

Pleased with the outcome, the king of Sodom arranged to have a meeting with Abram in the Valley of Shaveh (i.e., the King's Valley) upon Abram's triumphant return.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, the mysterious Melchizedek (king of Salem and priest of God) offers Abram bread and wine with a blessing from God. Abram, in return, gives him a tenth of everything he had. This Melchizedek would later be believed to have been Jesus Christ by the Christians.

Next, the king of Sodom requests Abram give him back his (the king's) people but keep the goods for himself. However, Abram would not have any of this. He firmly tells the king that he will not accept any of his goods, lest the king boasts that he made Abram rich. But Abram did request that Mamre and his brothers retain their share of the goods.

Here are his exact words:

"With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, 'I made Abram rich.' I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share."

And that is the end of this particular story.

The first action scene in the Bible. Abram shows us some might and a bit of wisdom. Nothing as epic as in Homer's Iliad, but would still potentially make for a good movie.