Separate From Lot Series

Text: Genesis 13:8-18

Theme: Separate from Lot

Greetings:

Joke: A husband and wife were in church. The pastor noticed that the husband has fallen asleep and said to the wife, “Wake your husband up!” The wife answered, “Pastor, You're the one who made him fall asleep, you wake him up!”(Adopted)

Introduction: Abram was an ordinary person born in Ur of Mesopotamia (Genesis 11:31), and died in Hebron of Canaan at the age of 175 years. He married Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah (Genesis 25:7). He was introduced as living with his father Terah. He had two siblings namely, Nahor and Haran (Genesis 11:25-26,32). Abram might have heard about his forefather Enosh (Genesis 4:26) worshipping YHWH and could have desired to be righteous like Abel (Matthew 23:35) and Noah (Genesis 6:9). But somewhat lived among the idol worshippers.

Today I would like to share with you referring to the monthly theme “Throw Off Hindrances”. The theme for this day is ‘Depart from Lot’.

Let me leave with you three thoughts for this day:

Depart from Lot

Dwell in the Promised land

Walkthrough the Promises

1. Depart from Lot (Genesis 13:8-9)

Abram was called by God when he was in the land of UR. He was asked to leave the country, people, and father’s household (Genesis 12:1), Abram left the country, left the people but not the household (Genesis 12:4). He took Lot with him.

Now, he decided to depart from his household. He resolved to do away with the disturbing unbelieving situation. The reason was disturbances of peaceful atmosphere. Always strive for peace. Betwixt believers a contention will be very indecent, and of scandalous tendency (Benson).

There was a fight between the servants of Abraham and Lot. ‘Bad servants often make a great deal of mischief in families and among neighbors, by their pride and passion, lying, slandering, and talebearing.’ (Matthew Henry).

Paul wrote, ‘Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?’ (2 Corinthians 6:14). Deuteronomy 22:10 states, “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.”

Paul and Moses are concerned with an imbalance in power and purpose. One can easily imagine the futility of pairing an ox and a donkey under the same yoke which would inseparably link their movements and efforts.

For John Calvin “to be yoked with unbelievers mean nothing less than to have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness and to hold out the hand to them in token of agreement.” Be yoked to Christ with humility, with love, and with forgiveness (Matthew 11:28-30).

‘We make many decisions in life. But some are just more important than others. And the difference between a good decision and a bad decision can mean a whole world of difference for your life. The story of Abraham and Lot in the land division offers some insights into making decisions.’ (Pastor Jason Lim).

Who is your counselor? What is bossing over you? Depart from those habits, friends, people who are hindrances to your faith journey and attaining your promises. Don’t fight for your rights but let them take whatever they want but you wait for the Lord to speak and direct you. But depart from things that are not helpful for your spiritual life and strength.

2. Dwell in your promised land (Genesis 13:10-13)

Stand on the promises of God, hold on to the place where God has placed you and trusted you, and wait for the time of the Lord. Don’t make any hasty moves in your life.

A lot had his understanding and never waited for the leading of the Spirit. He never prayed before making decisions for his future. Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt (Genesis 13:10). Outward and earthly motives prevail with him in the selection of his new abode. He is charmed by the well-watered lowlands bordering on the Jordan and its affluent.

Always our thoughts, our plans, our ideas are greenery but when you go there you can understand that you are in the dry place, dry land. The earthly vision will lead to destruction. Satan never tells you all the truth. He tries to pull you from the race. We can’t think of a flying bird leaving the bird which is at hand.

‘Those who, in choosing relations, callings, dwellings, or settlements, are guided and governed by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, or the pride of life, cannot expect God's presence or blessing. They are commonly disappointed even in that which they principally aim at. In all our choices this principle should rule, that is best for us, which is best for our souls’ (Mathew Henry).