Genesis Chapter 13

Abram and Lot

As we continue in Genesis, we will see more details of the life of Abram (Abraham) and his lineage. This historical information is being given to us for many reasons. First, as proof of God’s Sovereign Will in selecting Abraham and the Jews as His chosen people. Then to verify that the land and people belong to God. Even today, the land belongs to Israel and each family has a right to ‘use’ the land. God’s Lessons and history are skillfully woven together to benefit us regarding how God deals with all creation, especially those He has created in His Image and Likeness. We will learn that ALL people belong to God, yet ONLY those who respond to God’s call and choose to obey and follow Him are God’s Children. Many people erroneously believe we are ‘all God’s children’; this is false! It has been said that those who ignore history and its lessons are doomed to repeat the very same mistakes that bring pain and suffering. We are being given the privilege of reading and studying God’s Word, let’s not make that same foolish mistake of ignoring the Truth and suffering in sin.

13:1-2

Since Pharaoh orders Abram and his family to leave Egypt, he immediately leaves Egypt along with Sarai, Lot, and all the many men and maid servants and all his possessions, and travels to the south or Negev. Abram now has a huge amount of material possessions; plus sheep, oxen, donkeys, and camels, he also has a great amount of gold and silver. He was very rich.

13:4

Abram journeys from the south back to Bethel to the same place he had established a camp (home) when entering the land; back to the exact place he had built an altar to God. When we make foolish choices and find ourselves in a bad place, we often try to “return home”, back to a place we felt safe. Remember, the safest place to be is always in the Will of God.

13:5-6

The author reminds us that Lot is still with Abram through all the travels, plus all their flocks, herds and tents, all their possessions. We are given some details of the situation regarding the land they lived in not being sufficient to allow all their animals and people to be sustained.

13:7

Not only do they have strife between their herdsmen, the author again reminds us that the Canaanite and the Perizzite both lived in the same land. These Canaanite people were of the same background as the evil ones described in Genesis 6:1-4. Giants, demon-possessed, very strong and evil. They are referred to as Rephaim or Anakim; coming from demon possessed parents; certainly not the type of neighbors one would want to be around. These people would have come about after the Flood, possibly at the rebellion at Babel; and their descendants inhabited Canaan.

13:8-9

Abram, as Patriarch and leader, graciously seeks peace between he and Lot and their herdsman. As Patriarch, he has the right and authority to select the best land, yet he gives up his rights and tells Lot he may choose the land.

13:10-11

Lot probably should have said, “Oh, no, You select which land you want, and we will go wherever you tell us.” Yet, we see the seed of greed and selfishness come out in Lot’s decisions. Lot sees the lush well watered plain of Jordan, described as the ‘garden of the Lord’, and selects that area for himself and his people and moves into the Jordan Valley. The author, perhaps Moses, inserts the information for us that this was before Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God. We must be careful to avoid this ‘seed of greed’.

13:12

We are told Abram remains in the land of Canaan, in the hill country, and lot dwells in the cities of the plain and ‘pitches’ his tent toward Sodom. This phrase reveals that Lot looks at the wealth and opulence as his ideal, not seeking God’s Will for his life. When we seek wealth and ease as our goals we usually let morality and righteousness slip out of our lives. We must always be on our guard when life becomes too ‘comfortable’. If your life is filled with material wealth and ease, check to make certain you are following Jesus; serving Him and serving others. Find ways to be very generous in giving to those in need. A suggestion: consider your local Food Bank; or perhaps use the LIVE FOREVER flyer and thank you card as a way to help and witness Jesus to the working poor.

13:13

“BUT”, as soon as we see this word it should be a red flag to us, a warning from God. The men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and terrible sinners. In fact, they were so despicable and disgusting in their actions that the Bible spares us the horrible details.

13:14-15

God again speaks directly to Abram, after Lot is separated from him, telling Abram to look, presumably from a high mountain top, north, south, east and west; and all the land he sees will be given by God to him and to his descendants forever. This confirms that the land beyond present Israel is also promised to the Jewish Believers. Why did the Holy Spirit tell us that God spoke to Abram after Lot had departed?

13:16

Abram is a very old man and this promise to make his seed so plentiful that it would be as numerous as the dust of the earth is a certain sign of a promise and a prophecy for the future. If Abram’s descendants could not ever be numbered, then it is a promise that his lineage would continue forever, even though Abram currently had absolutely no children!

13:17-18

Now God commands Abram to walk through the entire land; length and breadth, and God will give it to him. It appears that Abram believes, trusts and obeys God, and moves his camp to the plain of Memre, and builds another altar to the Lord in Hebron. Abram shows by his actions and obedience that He believes God, and worships Him in faith.

Has God given you a promise, or promises for your life? Are you completely obeying God so that God may fulfill His promises to you? Do your actions and worship prove you have trust and faith in God? It is never too late to begin obeying God; remember, Abram was already in his late 70’s or 80’s at this time!