THE RESCUE OF LOT. AMRAPHEL king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations, having engaged in battle the armies of the princes of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Zoar, routed them and pillaged their cities. Lot, who had taken up his abode in Sodomwas consequently made prisoner and dispossessed of all his property. The news of this disaster being conveyed to Abram by a fugitive who had escaped the slaughter, he immediately armed his retainers, and, engaging the assistance of the neighbouring tribes who "were confederate with him," he came upon the conquerors by night, and, taking them by surprise, overthrew them, rescued his nephew, and redeemed the property which they had carried off. "And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people." Though in the passage of scripture here quoted, Lot is called Abram's brother, he was really his nephew, the word brother being frequently used among the primitive Hebrews, as well as the later Jews, as a general term to signify any near relationship. The point of time indicated in this illustration is immediately after the rescue of Lot by Abram. The uncle and nephew are in the act of embracing. Immediately beyond are the patriarch's servants and allies; while in the distance the armies of the discomfited kings are seen retreating in confusion before their conquerors. The moon appears rising over Sodom upon which it casts its gentle radiance, reflecting her towers in the calm lake that laves her battlements. A hill rears its broad crest majestically behind, projecting its long deep shadow over the valley beneath, while the bland repose of the distant prospect presents an impressive contrast to the bustle of the nearer plain, "where night's calm hour of silence and repose" was so lately disturbed by the shouts of battle and the shriek of death. ABRAHAM AND THE THREE ANGELS. "AND the Lord appeared unto Abraham in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent-door in the heat of the day; and he lift up his eyes and looked, and lo, three men stood by him and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent-door, and bowed himself toward the ground." Abraham was seated at the door of his tent, in order, most probably, to observe if any strangers should pass, that he might extend to them the rights of hospitality; a practice universally observed in those primitive times, especially in a country where travelling at noon day, under a vertical sun, is extremely distressing. Whilst he was thus benevolently engaged, the Schechinah poured a flood of visible glory around him, by which he instantly knew that the Lord was at hand. In order to prepare with becoming reverence for the divine communication, he im. mediately prostrated himself, and upon lifting up his eyes, after having performed this act of devout homage, he beheld three angels standing before him. They announce to him the joyful intelligence that his wife shall bear a son in her old age. Sarah is seen within the tent looking at the strangers with a stealthy caution, from behind the drapery; as if hesitating to appear in the presence of the celestial delegates. Two camels are ruminating on one side of the tent, signifying that Abraham was at this time rich in flocks and herds, as camels could be possessed only by the more wealthy of the early patriarchs. The three angels are grouped together, within a circle of celestial radiance, as representing the Holy Trinity, which some of the ancient fathers, who have been followed by many modern divines, imagine to be indicated in this mission of the three angels to Abraham, since he addresses them as one person. St. Cyrill, a learned patriarch of Alexandria in the fifth century, maintains this argument in his first book against Julian the Apostate. |