Drafting Torah scholars

Hi,

Here's a controversial one:

"Rabbi Avahu said, citing Rabbi Elazar: Why was Avraham punished, and why were his descendants enslaved in Egypt for 210 years? Because he drafted Torah scholars for military service, as it is written, 'And he brought out his trainees, those born into his house.'"

(Talmud, Nedarim 32a)

Aside from the political issues of today, this is problematic because:
1. Avraham himself went, and there is no penalty for that trip;
2. This was a trip geared toward saving a life (although perhaps Lot was not in mortal peril).

Have a great day,
Mordechai