Genesis 13: 1 – 18
You choose first
13 Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD. 5 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. 6 Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land. 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” 10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD. 14 And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. 16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 17 Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” 18 Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD.
As a kid growing up we use to play a lot of pickup games. In order to choose sides the person going first of course received first pick. However, in most cases, especially the way we choose our teams, the second person to decide received two picks. So, if you are going first you will probably pick the best player while the other coach started building his team with the 2nd and 3rd best players. So, knowing this which pick would you prefer?
Today’s study in a way involves also picking. As I am sure you know it does not involve picking teams for a basketball game. It involves picking a spot to go and dwell at. The two individuals in making the picks are Abram and Lot. Let’s see how their choices turned out.
13 Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South.
In our past studies the scripture had revealed that Lot’s father had died. So, a few things resulted in this event. Lot inherited his father’s estate. Then he looked to Abram as his father figure and wound up accompanying him to the Promised Land. We have learned in our prior studies that our Holy God blessed Abram with emotional, spiritual, and physical blessings. Lot therefore also reaped blessing due to his association with Abram In fact the blessings had grown so immense that they were overflowing. The livestock was too plentiful when you took into consideration both Abram’s and Lot’s servants and animals.
2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold.
This is said rather triumphantly. The contest with Pharaoh has been to his benefit. We are surely to see that this great wealth is at least partly due to his visit to Egypt. Rather than destroying him it has enriched him, and this can only have been because our Holy God was with him. The mention of silver and gold suggests that Abram engaged in trading as well as having possession of flocks and herds.
3 And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Relieved and full of praise in his heart to God for his preservation Abram takes all his family and possessions back to the spot he where he first called upon the name of the Lord.
If you ever feel down and out I encourage you to do a study about the word ‘return.’ From personal experience I can tell you that our Great and Holy God Is great at giving us a fresh start. The best was to do this is to return to our beginning where we fell in love with our Holy Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Try this, I know you will like it.
5 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. 6 Now the land was not able to support them that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together.
The riches gathered in Egypt have altered the situation. There is no longer room for both groups to stay together. This begins to cause friction between the two groups. The land is just not sufficient. They must seek wider pastures.
7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.
Part of the problem is caused by the presence of others, for they must share land with Canaanites and Perizzites. Thus what is available causes tension as each group seeks to look after their own master’s interests. This leads Abram to the only possible decision. They must separate. This dissension cannot be allowed to go on, for if it does it may flare up into something more serious.
8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”
The greatness of Abram is brought out in these words. As senior, and almost certainly leader of the largest group, he could have claimed precedence. But he wants no rancor between them. He is happy for Lot to choose which way to go and then he will take the other. There will be no hard feelings. They are still bound together as close relatives, but they must consider the facts of the situation. It is therefore regrettably necessary for them to separate. Abram trusts in God Almighty to ensure that he will end up in the right place. He has come to the awareness of God’s care even when he just wanders into any area. Our Holy Master has proven to His servant that He Is there no matter where Abram sets foot at.
10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar.
As Lot stood in the hills and looked down over the Jordan and its surrounds and saw how well-watered and fruitful the plain was, the Circle of Jordan, with the Jordan running through it, and fed by other rivers, he was impressed. It was pleasant to look at and enticing. He did not take anything else into consideration.
We need to see the significance that our Precious Holy Spirit brings to our attention. He describes three things that are appealing to our eyes yet as you know become destroying and dangerous for us to get involved in.
He mentions Genesis 2 and 3, as He mentions for it ‘like the garden of The Lord with its great life-giving river’ [this was forfeited by our ancestors Adam and Eve as they sought out the knowledge of good and evil]. Then He jumps ahead for us as He mentions chapter 19, where we learn of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The things that are pleasant to the eyes hold evil.
Then He mentions the scary experience Abram had being in the land of Egypt, watered by the Nile, and fruitful. The reference to Egypt refers us back to the previous chapter. They have just seen the wonder of that land abundantly watered by so great a river. Here is a land that appears its equal.
The references show that this chapter is to be seen in a wider setting. The land that Lot covets is almost a return to Eden, but there is the ominous shadow of temptation because of the two evil cities. It is beautiful, but there is sin in the land. And Lot does not realize it, for he is not specifically under the protection of El Shaddai or thoughtful about His covenants. He thinks only in terms of increasing wealth.
11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.
So Lot made his choice. He will dwell among the cities of the plain. He is prepared to leave the place that first welcomed them, to which God had led them, for what he sees as better pastures. He does not realize what his choice is going to mean. How important it is that we make our right choices and with much prayer and thought about what matters most.
12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.
There is no doubt that our Holy Spirit lists for us the significance of their choices. The one remaining in the place allotted by God, the other unconsciously approaching grave danger because his eyes feast on what seems so wonderful. He forgets the promises of God. He approaches Sodom. What more needs to be said? For Sodom is a centre of wickedness and sexual depravity. Note that although they are not worshippers of The Lord Yahweh their sin is said to be against Him. He is judge over all and has the right to obedience from all.
This description of Sodom is partially preparing us for what is to happen to Sodom in chapter 14. He is already preparing us for this, and giving us an explanation as to why Lot is involved in such a catastrophe. Those who consort with sinners must not complain when they share the consequences of their judgment. Connection with cities was regularly seen as a downward step.
14 And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. 16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered.
Please note the deliberate contrast. Lot lifted up his eyes with his main concern being how to extend his wealth and ensure his future. Abram must now lift up his eyes, but it is at the command of God, and he will see prosperity and blessing and a glorious future, for he has walked before God. The land that surrounds him will one day belong to his descendants who will be numberless, and it will be theirs ‘forever’.
It is noteworthy throughout that Abram is faced with these two continual questions in his mind.
(1). Why is my wife barren so that I have no children? (2). What does the future hold for me in this land?
Our Holy God does not leave Abram always wondering. He reveals His goodness and concern by continually reassuring him about them both.
17 Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” 18 Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD.
Wherever Abram walks he can look around and say, ‘one day this will all belong to my children’s children, for our Holy God has given it to me’. And walk around he must for it is the necessity of his manner of living. So every step he takes reminds him of the unmerited goodness of God. Lot walked around thinking of money. Abram walked around thinking of God. That is the test of the true child of God.
Abram now transfers the centre of his activities from Bethel to Hebron, in the hill country of the South. There he establishes his main camp and builds an altar for the worship of God. Trees denote water, and Abram has chosen well. It is a reasonably safe part of the country and will enable his family to expand and grow.
