Genesis 15:1 (NASB)
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.”
This is the first time the Bible assures us that there is no need to fear and that trusting in Him will bring great reward. These words came to Abram after the battle of the kings (four kings against five) in the Valley of Siddim and following Abram’s wise decision to refuse wealth offered by the wicked King and to protect the people.
Genesis 14 is a wordy account of an ancient conflict, often called The War of Nine Kings, dating around 2000 BCE. It is an archaeologically confirmed battle between the four Eastern kings from Mesopotamia and the five rulers of large, local city-states of the Jordan Valley. The five-king coalition uniting Mesopotamia, the Hittite region (Turkey), and Elam (modern Iran) is described as a formidable alliance and a force to be reckoned with.
Let’s break down Genesis 14. The story begins by naming four eastern kings:
Amraphel, the king of Shinar (Babylonia);
Arioch, the king of Ellasar (possibly Southern Mesopotamia);
Chedorlaomer, the king of Elam (S.W. Iran) and
Tidal, king of Goiim (probably Northern Mesopotamia near Turkey).
These four kings, led by Chedorlaomer, subdued and likely oppressed the tribes and cities around the Jordan River plain. After 13 years, the largest city-states revolted against Chedorlaomer's rule, probably to escape tribute payments or political servitude. In response, in the fourteenth year, Chedorlaomer and three other kings launched a military campaign westward to suppress the rebellion in the southern Levant (Canaan). This battle was against the five kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (Zoar).
The account carefully details their route of conquest, beginning with victories over peoples along the caravan routes (vs. 5-6). According to multiple references, these names represent a mix of ethnic groups and regional place names known across the area in the second millennium BCE. They conquered:
the Rephaim of the Ashteroth-karnaim (a region east of the Jordan), then
the Zuzim in the region of Ham, then
the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim within the region of Moab, then
the Horites in the hill country northwest of the Dead Sea.
Next, the eastern kings turned north and defeated the Amalekites and the Amorites (vs. 7).
At this point, the kings of the five cities—Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (Zoar)—marched out to confront the eastern coalition in the Valley of Siddim, the plain south of the Dead Sea. However, the battle was a disaster for the local kings who were overwhelmed by the Mesopotamian forces. As they tried to escape, the fleeing kings of Sodom and Gomorrah and their soldiers fell into the tar pits scattered across the region, while the others fled into the hill country (vs. 10) The eastern kings looted Sodom and Gomorrah, taking all the goods, food supplies, and many captives—including Lot, Abram’s nephew, along with Lot’s property and people (vs. 11-12).
One of the survivors escaped and reported the disaster to Abram, who was living near the oaks of Mamre. He was allied with local Amorite chiefs who were brothers: Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner. Genesis 12:16 states that Abram had flocks, herds, donkeys, camels, and both male and female servants and slaves, and Genesis 13:2 describes Abram as very wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold. Although he was a small tribal leader compared to the kings of the East, Abram quickly assembled 318 trained men born in his household—a significant force for a private family group—and pursued the eastern kings as far north as Dan (vs. 14), in the extreme north of Canaan. By night, Abram divided his forces and continued to attack, catching the enemy off guard and defeating them. He pursued them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus (vs. 15), demonstrating bravery, familiarity with the land, and excellent tactical skills. Abram defeated King Chedorlaomer (vs. 17), rescued Lot, recovered all his captured possessions, as well as the women and other captives taken from Sodom and Gomorrah (vs. 16).
As Abram returned south, he was met in the Valley of Shaveh by two important figures. Melchizedek, king of Salem (commonly believed to be ancient Jerusalem), appeared. He was both a king and a priest of God Most High (El Elyon). Melchizedek brought out bread and wine and blessed Abram, acknowledging that God Most High had given Abram victory over his enemies. In response, Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything—an act showing respect and devotion, and the first biblical mention of a tithe.
The king of Sodom also came out to meet him, demanding his people back but offering to let Abram keep the riches. Abram refused to keep anything. He didn’t want to be associated in any way with such a rude and ungodly ruler. Instead, Abram swore an oath that he would not accept even a thread or sandal strap from Sodom’s king, lest the king claim he had made Abram rich (vs 23). Abram planned to graciously share the spoils he had personally recovered with the Ammonites Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner, (vs. 24) who helped him defeat the king of Elam. By refusing to trade people for riches, he protected them, especially the women, from the men of Sodom, who were known to be evil, participating in homosexuality and rape, and had sinned greatly against the Lord (Gen 13:13).
The story concludes in Genesis 15:1, when God declares, “After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.”
What was God addressing?
Abram’s physical fears: He had just defeated the most powerful kings and armies in the East. Would they regroup and retaliate? God told him to Fear Not. Abram would be protected with God’s shield, a personal commitment from God Himself.
Abram’s financial fears: Although the Bible portrays Abram as wealthy, he likely depleted much of his resources in the battles to defeat the four kings. He declined all the spoils of victory offered by the King of Sodom, including wealth and riches. God assured Abram that his faithfulness would bring rewards far greater than anything earthly kings could provide.
Abram’s emotional fears: Without an heir, how could he believe God’s promise that his descendants would be as numerous as stars in the sky and sand by the sea (Gen 22:17)? Although Abram could hardly grasp this greatness, he trusted God, and the Lord credited his faith as righteousness.
Genesis 15:1 shows God meeting Abram where he was—fearful, uncertain, and childless—telling him to FEAR NOT, offering reassurance of protection and a future far greater than he could imagine. It sets the stage for the covenant promises that shape not only Abram’s story but the entire story of salvation.
TODAY’S PRAYERS
We come before You with grateful hearts for the wisdom and truth found in Your Word, even within stories that happened more than 4,000 years ago. Thank You for guiding us through Genesis 14 and using Abram’s story of courage and faith as an example to us in today’s world. Lord, just as You spoke to Abram and said, “Do not be afraid,” we pray that Your voice will echo in our own hearts today. Remind us that You are our shield, our protector, and the One who fights our battles.
Show us how to surrender our fears to You—whether it's fear of the unknown, lack, enemies seen and unseen, or fear of the future. We can rest in the promise that You are with us. You fight our battles. Teach us to trust You more deeply, knowing that You fulfill the plans for our lives. May we walk forward in faith, unafraid, secure in the knowledge that You are our God who never fails. We give You all the praise and glory, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
This stack took 5 hours to research and write. I'm hoping to write a series on FEAR NOT me
messages. I wanted to do that during COVID but ran out of time. God has put this on my heart for the next round of weaponized fear.
You are appreciated. May GOD'S face continue to shine on you. Be blessed.