Read Genesis 13
Abram and Lot Separate
1 So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. 2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.
3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord.
5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
8 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. 9 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.”
10 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.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. 13 Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.
14 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. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 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. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.”
18 So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the Lord.
Go Deeper
On the surface, this chapter might just seem like a story about a land dispute, but there is so much more we can learn than that. Abram has been blessed mightily by God, and both he and his nephew, Lot, have received a tremendous amount of property. There was no longer room for the two of them to travel together, so they had to split. The shocking thing is that Abram allows his nephew to choose where to go. He gave his nephew the first pick! Rather than giving his family member the leftovers, he is willing to submit himself to someone younger and less deserving. What a picture of humility for us to see up close!
Since Lot has the choice of where he will go, he looks around to find the best land possible. Lot “saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east” (v. 10-11).
Lot did what so many of us would do in this situation: he picked that which seemed best to him. But here is the important lesson for today: what looks good to us won’t always be good for us. If you don’t know how the story unfolds, Lot picks land that is full of some of the most wicked people on Earth. God would later destroy this area because of their sin. On the flip side, Abram was willing to put his desires aside, and God led him to a much better country.
We all have dreams and ideas for our lives. Obviously, if all of these things would come true, we’d have a better life! But Genesis 13 is a reminder that just because something looks good doesn’t mean it will be good. We are poor decision makers for ourselves. The best thing we can do for our futures is to give them over to God. He knows the land that will lead to our flourishing.
Questions
What do you notice about Abram in this passage?
Have you ever had an experience like Lot–you chose something that looked good, but ended up far from it
Do you struggle with giving your plans over to God? Why do you think you trust yourself more than Him?
Did You Know?
The site where Abram would later relocate, Hebron, is a strategic spot, located in between Jerusalem and Beersheba. It is also the highest point in the Promised Land, at an elevation of about 3,050 feet.
9 thoughts on “Genesis 13”
Reminded of the simple acronym;: J O Y.
J. Jesus first
O Others
Y yourself last
Abram reflected this in this passage.
“The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart.” W. Wiersbe. When we stop looking to God’s Word for guidance then you are looking to man’s wisdom and this leads to trouble. The fear of God is the fear that conquers every fear. Psalm 112 is a chapter about fearing God. The fear of man brings trouble. Proverbs 29:25 “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe” Money is trouble. You must have it to survive BUT GOD has given us a GREAT inheritance in heavenly places. We must walk by faith in this ‘spiritual inheritance’. The god of this world is going to use people, circumstances, and things to tempt you and bring out your worst. BUT GOD wants to use them to test you and bring out your best. 1 John 5:4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
God thank You for helping me to live for others, letting You choose for me the right path, ansd that I live by faith not by sight. God I just thank You. Thank You that I can let go of the spiritual idol of money. You have so provided for my family and I am so grateful. God help me to completely surrender that and oh so much more today for these minutes and give You the glory for all things. God continue to guide me in my transformation. I am willing to be meteamorphised in these minutes of this day. God I love You and are so grateful thankful, and blessed in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Humility seems to be a rare thing in human nature. When we see an example like Abram’s, it captures our attention. Most are similar to Lot, thinking of self first. According to Webster’s Dictionary, humility is defined as the state of being humble, or freedom from pride or arrogance. Biblical humility will be marked by meekness, obedience to God and respect for others. Our character will be revealed by our choices. I’m reminded that choices will have consequences, and those we do not get to choose. Choose well! I appreciated the visual John Elmore gave in his message at HC yesterday of beginning the day on our knees submitting all we are to Christ.
This goes hand in hand with the message yesterday at church where Pastor John Elmore said we ought to start the day on our knees surrendering the day to the Lord. Our walk with Jesus is a daily surrender. We seek his desires and dreams over our own trusting that our God knows and sees best. For His glory and for our good.
I don’t know what was going through Abram’s mind at this point, but it occurs to me he might have wanted to see not only what Lot chose – but HOW. And what did Lot do? He “looked around and saw” (v. 10). Lot chose what LOOKED good – and that choice did not go so well for him.
It’s not often we’re involved in “land divides” – but they’re a pretty big deal.
Last week I was invited to talk to some six-year-olds about the role of a school board member. After talking for a bit, I was asked by one sharp student, “So what exactly do you DO?” [Laugh]
“The biggest thing we do … is make decisions.”
One of THE biggest decisions I’ve ever been a part of is a “land divide,” i.e., rezoning the district. The whole thing was incredibly complex, fairly controversial and of considerable impact. That one decision would impact many people for many years to come. We went into it with “the counsel of many advisers” – and PLENTY of focused prayer. (FTR, the decision is done – but the prayers are ongoing!)
Long-term plans are so essential. “Without a vision the people perish (Pr. 29:18) – and we who were created in God’s image were formed by a visionary/long-term planning God. But as Scripture reminds us again and again, it is GOD’s plan we must pursue. ALL our plans, be they long-term, short-term or even the hours right before us, belong to God – the Master Planner. (Again, thanks to Jon Elmore for modeling such a powerful daily prayer yesterday!)
DID YOU KNOW? Right now Harris Creek is considering its own long-term plans – and we are all invited into that decision-making process in PRAYER. If you’re in the area, please come Prayer Walk the new church property (northeast corner of the Sunwest entrance and Stageline Drive). There are signs along the way with verses to pray and specific people groups to pray for.
“Show us Your ways, O Lord, teach us Your paths, guide us in Your truth and teach us, for You are our God and Savior, may our hope be in You all day long” (from Psalm 25:4-50).
For more “God as the Master Planner,” see Isaiah 25:1, Isaiah 46:10-11 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Many times I have gotten what I thought would be great but wasn’t so after all. Thank god for this daily Bible study because I need these reminders everyday.
Many times in the past. I’ve idolized my professional career or my dating life and it ruined me. Never ignore what the Holy Spirit and conscience speaks to you.
Be like Abram. Wait on the lord. Give to others & trust god with every outcome. Lay it as his feet & hang out with Jesus. The rest will take care of itself.
No need to strive. You will arrive. (Trust in Jesus).
15 “All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.“
Wow! That gift has had profound implications for centuries!
One thing I noticed about Abram is there he does not get angry with Lot for choosing the best land. Abram could have been frustrated with the fact that even though he allowed Lot to choose first, why didn’t Lot “return the favor” by not picking the bestest option so maybe Abram could have it. I often struggle with that, when I give, I immediately expect to be given inn return. Like if I were Abram, I would expect Lot to be like “I’ll let you have the best one since you let me pick first,” and that is a problem. Expecting a return is not the standard of God when it comes to giving. And besides, God’s will be done when Abram was given His promised land, even if he did not “choose” it.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
God is in control no matter what we choose good or bad. I am trusting God for the outcome and putting into practice the posture John Elmore shared with us on Sunday.