Facing Kedolaomer

When the king of Sodom allied himself with four other kings and rebelled against Kedorlaomer, he was facing a formidable foe. Just the fact that they had been subject to this man's rule for twelve years says something about the strength of the opposition they were facing -- not to mention that Kedorlaomer had three other kings allied with him!

Kedorlaomer and his buddies first went out and defeated the Rephaites in Asteroth Karnaim. Years later, Deuteronomy 3:11 (NIV) speaks about how "...only Og king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaites. His bed was made of iron and was more than thirteen feet long and six feet wide...". Whether the Rephaites were practically wiped out by Kedorlaomer's efforts or by other conquests in the intervening years I am not certain, but these seem like people of very large stature. Kedorlaomer defeats the Rephaites and then goes on to attack the Zuzites in Ham. At this time I do not have any information about these people, but their association with the location of Ham (probably named after Noah's son Ham) puts them into a category of people often opposed to God's people.

Next, Kedorlaomer moves on to fight with the Emites in Shaveh Kiriathaim. Wikipedia redirected me to an article on the "Emim". Deuteronomy 2:9-11 (NIV), speaking of how the Moabites lived in Ar, which used to be where the Emites lived, says: "(The Emites used to live there -- a people strong and numerous, and as tall as the Anakites. Like the Anakites, they too were considered Rephaites, but the Moabites called them Emites." The Wikipedia article indicated that a famous French Medieval rabbi known as Rashi (writer of the first commentary on the Talmud) claimed that the Emim's name translated as "the dreaded ones". So you can be pretty certain that these were warriors who would be taken seriously as opponents.

After this, Kedorlaomer attacks the Horites in the hill country of Seir. Seir's ancestry is not specified beyond "Seir the Horite" (Genesis 36:20), but the verse also gives a list of Seir's sons: Lotan, Shoabal, Zibeon, Anah, Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. These were noted as Horite chiefs. (Genesis 36:21,29). So what? Well, Esau, the grandson of Abraham, took Canaanite wives. If you look at the genealogy of Genesis 36:2-3, you will see that Esau's wives' genealogies intertwine with this list of chiefs -- specifically with Anah and Zibeon. Apparently, when Esau and his brother Jacob's possessions grew too numerous, Esau moved to the hill country of Seir (Genesis 36:6-8). Esau's clan may have driven away the Horites, or perhaps first somewhat mingled with them. Genesis 36:40 lists the chiefs descended from Esau and remarks "...These were the chiefs of Edom, according to their settlements in the land they occupied." (Edom , by the way, is another way people referred to Esau.) So it sounds like Esau conquered the place. However, I Chronicles 36:20 (after listing the sons of Esau and their chiefs) goes on to speak of "...the sons of Seir the Horite, who were living in that region." Whether Esau's wives were from an earlier time of friendship with the Horites or captives from the conquest is unclear to me. Either way, they were 'women of Canaan' (Genesis 36:2) -- not associated with the people of God.

There is some question about the Horites and Hivites, as to whether they were one people or just to which peoples these names are referring. Wikipedia does a fair job of listing the observations about these peoples. Seems there are still conflicting theories. Interestingly, some Hivites seem to linger around the fringes of God's people all the way to Solomon's time, often as forced laborers.

After all these conquests, Kedolaomer and his allies turn back to En Mishpat (Kadesh) and conquer the territory of the Amalekites, as well as the Amorites who were living in Hazazon Tamar. Both were enemies of the Israelites, and the Amalekites in particular seemed to be associated with a desire to wipe out the Israelites as a nation. Again I turned to Wikipedia for interesting articles about both peoples. Some information from the Jewish Encyclopedia was also helpful. There is too much information to cover in this post. However, the further one digs into the Bible, the more interesting tidbits are unearthed. For example, the Amalekites come from Amalek, who is a grandson of Esau! More on this in the next post.

Who is Amraphel? and Kedorlaomer?!

Just a quick note on several of the kings listed in the battle of Genesis 14. Scholars used to believe that Amraphel was Hammarabi, although there does not seem to be the same support for this view at this time. Others believe Amraphel was another name for Nimrod. There is an interesting article in the Jewish Encyclopedia ("Amraphel") regarding the various theories. I don't know enough about the subject to have an opinion yet, but the article is good for thought.

As for Kedorlaomer, Wikipedia has an article on "Battle of the Vale of Siddim" which is more interesting food for thought, especially when they try to pinpoint which king from history is the one referred to as Kedorlaomer in the Biblical account. Both linguistic and historical aspects are involved, as there is a limited time frame which can accommodate certain features of this account. As usual, some proposals are considered which raise doubts regarding the biblical account, while other scholars continue to consider solutions which are in line with the Genesis 14 account. Again, I am not prepared to offer an opinion of the identities of these kings at this time, although I will always side with the biblical account. This may seem to present a lack of scholarship, or unwillingness to consider opposing viewpoints, but that is not my intent, or for that matter, method of operation. I am willing to read about all the opposing viewpoints. If you consider the Bible's track record (i.e., always being right, even if it takes years to find the evidence to prove it) you will realize that I am merely 'betting' on the most likely winner. Countless times the Biblical accounts have been called into question on various points, only to be vindicated (sometimes many years later) by further archaeological discoveries or further research. As far as I know, there has never been conclusive proof which shows a Biblical account to be incorrect. Ever. This is why I will side with the biblical account every time.

Genesis 14:1-16 Driftwood in Sodom's Whirlpool

Although Abram's nephew Lot had parted company with him, and chosen the best part of the land for himself, there is no indication that Abram regarded Lot with any bitterness. After all, it had been Abram's idea that they split up in order to put an end to the quarreling which had arisen because the land could not easily support the two companies due to the multiplication of their flocks. (Genesis 13:5-9)

Abram had even offered Lot the opportunity to choose where he would settle. Apparently Abram was trusting in God to bless him, rather than trying to grab the best land for himself. (This attitude of Abram's will come up later in chapter 14, when Abram refuses to accept rewards for his actions on behalf of the people of Sodom.) Lot, on the other hand, begins by choosing the best-looking land for himself and going to live on the plain of the Jordan. At first, Lot lived among the cities of the plain. Soon he had pitched his tents near one particular city -- Sodom. Eventually, he is situated right within Sodom itself. (Genesis 13:11-12; 14:12)

Genesis 13:13 indicates that it was well-known that "...the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord." Without directly saying so, Scripture indicates that Lot is definitely heading in the wrong direction.

Separated from godly Abram, Lot is drawn like a piece of driftwood into a whirlpool -- toward the companionship of those who do not regard the Lord. It is easy for us to assume that Lot sought material wealth or the excitement of a settled city life, but we are not given those details. In fact, one indication of Lot's character comes from later Scriptures in the New Testament, where Peter calls Lot "...a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)...". (2 Peter 2:7-8) In those verses, Peter calls Lot 'righteous' three times! So, far be it from me to impugn his character. However, things soon began to go horribly wrong.

See, Lot may have had the best of intentions, but his choices put him right smack in the middle of ungodly company, who began to act in predictably ungodly ways. No, I'm not talking about the behavior for which Sodom is best known. At this point, I'm thinking more about how they did not seem to place much value upon keeping their word. Why? Well, Genesis 14 begins to tell us of a rebellion which sprang up, and guess which city was a part of it? Yep, Sodom. What does that have to do with keeping one's word? Read on:

Genesis 14:1-5 informs us that there was a war between Amraphel (king of Shinar/Babylonia), Arioch (king of Ellasar), Kedorlaomer (king of Elam) and Tidal (king of Goiim) versus five other kings: Bera (king of Sodom), Birsha (king of Gomorrah), Shinab (king of Admah), Shemeber (king of Zeboiim) and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). The later five had been subject to Kedorlaomer for 12 years, but had decided to rebel in the 13th year. Hence the war. The way I'm thinking is this: Since they had been subject to Kedolaomer for 12 years, they had probably been conquered by him in the past and forced to make some type of agreement to be subject to him and probably, to pay some form of tribute to him. By rebelling, they were breaking their word, and were reaping the consequences. By virtue of just being present there in Sodom, Lot finds himself in a heap of trouble. You could say that Lot was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it seems that it was common knowledge that there was no good time for the godly to be in Sodom. It is not that I am looking down upon Lot from some superior position. In fact, I'm sure that I have put myself in similarly dangerous positions just by not thinking things through ahead of time or not asking God for wisdom before I decided to do something.

Genesis 12:3 All Blessed

Genesis 12:3 ends with the seventh part of the covenant blessing which God promises to Abram: "...and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."(NIV) We have already considered the blessings or curses which would come upon nations depending upon their relationship with the nation of Israel. We have also noted the impressive accomplishments which have come to the world through the Jewish people. However, I believe that the Messiah who would one day come through the nation of Israel is the real pinnacle of the blessings indicated in Genesis 12: 1-3.

At this point I think it would be helpful to note that in the Scriptures, God often acts in a way which I can best describe as 'slow revelation'. In film-making, this usually refers to the way in which the details of the story are not given all at once, but are gradually revealed to the viewer, whether by the continued advancement of the story line, or by a particular camera shot, where the camera draws back to reveal some significant detail or additional information. God's revelation of Himself to mankind seems very much like that slow revelation. His Word reveals a complex and beautiful plan, continually unfolding and expanding. There is so much of Him that our finite minds could not grasp it all. Yet the wonder of it all is that He desires to have a relationship with us. This reminds me of Romans 11:33-36 in the New Testament, where the apostle Paul says:

"Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,and his paths beyond tracing out!
Who has know the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?
Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?
For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen." (NIV)

Genesis 12:3 Blessing or Curse?

This verse is actually a very interesting one: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse..." Genesis 12:3 (NIV) Various cultures of the time had a rich stock of curses to bring down upon the heads of their enemies. Some have been preserved (the NIV notes these: the Egyptian Execration Texts, the Hittite suzerainty-vassal treaties, kudurrus (stone boundary markers), the Code of Hammurapi (Epilogue). On a more current and humorous note, I came across this Irish 'curse':

May those who love us love us,
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May He turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.

(I think that one is fairly well-known, but I found it at: http://www.corsinet.com/trivia/irish_curses.html.)

Although there are some blessings recorded at that same site, I don't recall reading many instances about lists of blessings being likewise preserved! We become offended much more often than we reward others' good behavior, I guess.

The fascinating part about this Genesis 12:3 is that we have historical examples to back it up. When God made a covenant with Abram, He actually meant what He said. We have already seen an example of this. When I wrote about Genesis 12:2 (I Will Bless You - 7/10/2010), we saw that when Abram and Sarai went to Egypt to escape the famine, Pharaoh and his household came under God's judgment when Pharaoh took Sarai to be his wife. Now, in that case, Pharaoh acted innocently enough, for Abram had deceived him as to the true extent of his own relationship with Sarai. However, the covenant promise still came into effect upon Pharaoh, whose household suffered from 'serious diseases' (Gen.12:17) as a result until Sarai was safely returned to Abram.

Time and again throughout the Scriptures those who oppose the Israelites find themselves facing the same type of covenant consequences. There are countless incidences; the 10 plagues upon the Egyptians are one well-known example. There are examples in more recent history as well. In an article by Dennis Prager (July 30, 2002) Those Who Bless the Jews and Those Who Curse the Jews), he notes several nations which have cursed, killed or otherwise afflicted the people of Abraham and suffered the results promised in Genesis 12:2. I have also read other articles regarding these same ideas, but the thing which I appreciated the most about this article is that it does not go on with ceaseless examples of these matters, but merely instructs us to take a look at the state of nations which bless or oppose Israel, as this is proof enough that the covenant blessings and curses are still very much in effect.

Sometimes the punishment is not immediate. Otherwise things could become rather mechanical, rather than indicate the relational aspects which God desires. Also, God is merciful. He wants to make Himself known to all nations, and gives all people ample opportunity to repent. However, when this is rejected, eventual punishment is inevitable, for He keeps His promises always.

For this reason, when I read in current news about nations which threaten to wipe Israel off the map or read of groups of nations united in their opposition towards Israel, I shake my head and wonder if they are aware of the very precarious position into which they are putting themselves. I also become rather grim when my own country (USA) has an official policy of being an ally of Israel, yet in action political leaders often seem to hold it at arm's length. (Until election time, that is, when the warm and fuzzies for Israel seem to blossom in full strength.) I am by no means a foreign policy expert, so perhaps there is much more which I am not understanding about these matters. However, that is the general conclusion which I come to when I take a look at the words and actions of some political leaders/bodies lately.

I will end with this blessing upon Israel and upon those who follow God :

"The LORD remembers us and will bless us:
He will bless the house of Israel,
He will bless the house of Aaron,
He will bless those who fear the LORD -- small and great alike." Psalm 115:12-13