SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 13
BIBLE VERSES:
“ So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” (Genesis 13:8-9)
“Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. ” (Genesis 13:10-12)
“ The Lord said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you” (Genesis 13:14-17)
ABRAM AND LOT SEPARATE (vs. 1-18)
Abram and his wife together with Lot went up from Egypt to Negev. Both Abram and Lot become very wealthy in livestock, gold and silver. The land could not accommodate them. So quarreling arose between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot.
Abram was a peacemaker. He did not want quarrel between him and his nephew. So he gave Lot the privilege to choose where he want to stay. Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of Jordan was well watered like the garden of the Lord, so he chose the whole plain of Jordan and set out towards the east. Abram and Lot parted and Abram lived in the land of Canaan while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. The men of Sodom were wicked committing great sins against the Lord.
After Lot had parted from Abram, God blessed Abram and his offspring with lands from north, south, east and west. He will make his offsprings like the dust of the earth that is countless. So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron where he built an altar to the Lord.
THOUGHTS:
Increase in possession caused dispute between Abram’s herdsmen and lot’s herdsmen. As an uncle, Abram had the right to make the first choice, but he was willing to forgo his right for peace. Lot was greedy and self-centered without thinking about being fair to his uncle’s needs. He took the best share of land that appeared to be ideal but it was headed for destruction.
Life is a series of choice. You can choose the best while ignoring the needs and feelings of others. If your choice is not in God’s direction, your wrong choice will lead you to problem and sin.
If you are a victim of being short changed or being taken advantaged of, don’t worry. God knows and sees everything. He will repay you more than what your expect. Trust everything to the Lord and you will experience his bountiful blessings like what he had given to Abraham.
COMPARISON BETWEEN ABRAM AND LOT:
- Lot was unwilling to submit to the elder while Abram wanted to make peace.
- Lot was concerned about getting more richer while Abram was more concerned about maintaining a good testimony.
- Lot trusted his own sight and chose the wealthy but wicked city while Abram lived by faith and trust in God’s provision.
- Lot was a selfish nephew by trying to take the best for himself while Abram was a generous uncle looking after the welfare of his nephew.
- Lot was getting further from the Lord to become a friend of the world and losing his altar while Abram was drawing closer to the Lord to become friend of and by keeping his tent and altar.