Associated with Sodom

Genesis 14:1-13

“And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.” (Genesis 14:1-2)

God said man’s thoughts were only evil continually. As a result Cain killed Abel, and violence grew from then until God destroyed the world. Modern Americans would like to think he has gotten beyond that focus on violence, but 70,000 people will pay to watch a WWF wrestling match, a violent movie, or a hockey match because they want to see the violence. The League of Nations, and later the United Nations were started to prevent wars, but in recent years have furnished troops to fight in almost every war in the world.

Four hundred years after the flood we find alliances between various countries. Mankind really hasn’t changed very much despite our education and technology. The alliance headed by Chedorlaomer reached from present day Iraq to Israel. While most of them claimed only one country, Tidal apparently had an empire of several nations.

The rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah had allied themselves with three other city states in the valley of Siddim, in the area now known as the Dead Sea, in an effort to defend themselves against invasion by Chedorlaomer and his allies. The initial alliance failed and they were subjected to his reign for twelve years.

“All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.” (Genesis 14:3-4)

Even with modern transportation and communication technology, it takes months of planning and preparation to mount a full scale military action. It was almost a year after the rebellion before Chedorlaomer was able to mobilize a large enough force to attack the alliance in the valley of Siddim. Along the way, he attacked and defeated various other groups in the area, although less centralized groups are hard to subdue.

“And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness. And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.” (Genesis 14:5-7)

By the time Israel conquered the land, some six hundred years later, all but eh Amalekites and the Amorites had been conquered or absorbed by other groups, and the names of most of the cities changed to the names by which they were known to Israel.

“And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim; With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.” (Genesis 14:8-9)

The local alliance joined battle with Chedorlaomers forces in the valley Siddim, where they were defeated. The valley was dotted with tarpits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah tried to escape they were trapped and killed. The remnant fled to the mountains and escaped. The victors then spoiled Sodom and Gomorrah, taking everything and returning home.

“And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain. And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.” (Genesis 14:10-12)

Lot had gradually moved toward Sodom, and by this time, had moved clear in. even though it was a wicked city and he was offended by much that went on there. He overlooked his discomfort because Sodom appeared to offer so much. Though he was not one of them, he was captured and his possessions taken simply because he was associating with them. Who we choose to associate with has an effect on what we experience. We are likely to experience the same things our associates do.

“And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.” (Genesis 14:13)

Somebody escaped when Sodom was ransacked and contacted Abram what had happened to Lot.