Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

“He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other people.”
(Genesis 14:15-16)

Although a herdsman and probably trader, Abram was able to take the initiative and make wise battle decisions. Like with the rest of us, he was able to do that because of the Lord. The Lord trains us in all things we need to do. Like David, Abram got a course in war (Psalm 144:1). We know Abram was skilled because he hd been able to supervise and train his household (Genesis 14:14). These men had been born into Abram’s house, not purchased as trained servants or warriors. God ALWAYS empowers and equips us BEFORE those skills are needed – but WE have to listen to Him and prepare ourselves by accepting His guidance. If we do, we’ll always have what we need when we need it. Preparation time is NEVER wasted time.

Lot’s plight is what started Abram moving, but he wasn’t selfish. Abram didn’t only get Lot and abandon the rest. Abram went and got everyone and everything out from under bondage. He didn’t stop until he had accomplished everyone’s freedom. From Mamre (where he lived) to Hobah (where he stopped fighting) is about 255 to 275 km as the raven flies. That’s a long way. Abram started with a goal in mind and didn’t let go until it was accomplished.

This ‘fighting’ force of Abram, his servants, and his allies defeated the combined might of four kings who had ravaged the land. When you have God on your side, it doesn’t matter how many of the enemy there is. God gives the victory, not superior numbers or arms. This is a visible demonstration of the BLESSING of God on Abram’s life. Abram was able to overcome because God is THE overcomer. In Jesus, we are able to do the same (John 16:33).

The sage Ramban writes: ‘AND HE DIVIDED HIMSELF, BY NIGHT. Rashi wrote: “In accordance with the plain sense of the verse it means [that they divided into groups] as is the manner of those who pursue their enemies when they flee in different directions. By night means that even after it became dark, they did not cease pursuing them.”
The correct interpretation is that he pursued the enemies to Dan during the daytime with his entire army. When it became dark and he was not able to see by which road they fled, he divided his people and servants into two or three groups, taking one part with him, and they pursued them on all roads, smiting them as far as Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. Then he returned from pursuing them. The order of the words [in the verse are thus interpreted as follows]: “And he divided himself, he and his servants, by night.” AND HE PURSUED THEM UNTO HOBAH, WHICH IS ON THE LEFT HAND OF DAMASCUS. It is known that there is a great distance from the oaks of Mamre in Hebron in the land of Judah, to Damascus, which is outside the Land. If so, he pursued them for many days until he forced them to leave the land for they were returning to Babylon, their country. Or possibly there occurred here a great miracle, just as our Rabbis expounded from the verse, The way with his foot he treadeth not.’

The sage Steinsaltz writes: ‘On returning from their string of victories, during which they had vanquished the rebels, the kings encamped near Dan. This well-watered region was perfectly suited for a short stay. The kings were likely pleased by their successes and rested complacently. He, Abram, arrayed his men against them at night, he and his servants, and smote them, and pursued them until Hova. The location of Hova is unknown. The only detail the verse provides is that it is a place which is to the left, north, of Damascus. He returned all the goods. The looted property was there for the taking, as the soldiers who fled for their lives left it behind. And also his brother Lot and his property he returned, and also the women and the people. Plundered goods and captives were part of the victors’ spoils in military campaigns of this type. The kings of the north took men for slaves, and women for all their needs. Abram released all these captives and returned to the Hebron region.’