Permanently Invisible
They had not parted on the best of terms (Battles of Weapons and Faith), and Abram had to run a wage a great war against the superpower of his time and risk everything in order to save Lot. (The Invisible Man)
Lot had rejected his uncle and Abram’s God. He was searching to be his own man, and now, his uncle had to come and save him. He knew that the Four Kings captured him to hold as hostage and draw Abram into battle. He, Abram’s doppelganger was paraded around in a cage so that his uncle would be humiliated. His resentment of Abram increased, but he needed his uncle to save him.
The war was over. Abram had freed him, and this would turn out to be the last possible meeting between these two important biblical characters. The Torah is silent about their final meeting. What did Lot say? Did he spew his hatred and resentment? Did he thank his uncle for putting life and limb at risk for him?
What did Abram say to his nephew? Did he simply hug and reassure Lot of his love for him? Did Abram remind Lot of the seeds of great potential deep within him? Did he rebuke Lot and enjoy an “I told you so?”
We don’t know the answer to any of these questions, but there is a hint in the verse to, not a conversation, but to its avoidance: “The King of Sodom said to Abram; ‘Give me the people and take the possessions for yourself.’”(Genesis 14:21)
Did the king really expect Abram to keep the citizens of Sodom as slaves? Perhaps the king was referring to one specific soul: Lot. He expected Abram to take his nephew back, but he wanted him. With Abram’s increased prestige, especially after this great victory, having his nephew, travel companion, and former devotee as one of his own, citizens, especially Lot who looked so much like his uncle, would add to Sodom’s honor. The city had recently suffered a humiliating defeat. They were indebted to Abram for saving them. They would have to rebuild after the terrible war. The extra status offered by having Lot as one of their own, even a leader of their city, could only benefit Sodom. Lot’s presence would also serve as a guarantee of Sodom’s safety. Abram had saved them once for the sake of his nephew. No one would attack them again.
The king of Sodom insinuated himself between Abram and Lot. He sensed Lot’s ambivalence. He took upon himself to speak for the nephew. “Give me the souls!” meant give me Lot.
Abram immediately understood that Lot allowed the king to speak for him. Lot was not interested in a conversation. He stood silently as the king spoke for him as if he was not there.
Abram knew that Lot was, once again, an invisible man. Lot chose invisibility, not to protect Abram, but to avoid facing him. Lot had become invisible to himself.
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