Genesis 13: Abram and Lot separate

Genesis 13

¹So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev,with his wife and everything he had, and Lotwent with him. ²Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.

³From 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

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⁴and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord.

⁵Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. ⁶But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. ⁷And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.

⁸So 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. ⁹Is 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.”

¹⁰Lot 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 Lorddestroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)¹¹So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: ¹²Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. ¹³Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.

¹⁴The 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. ¹⁵All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. ¹⁶I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. ¹⁷Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.”

¹⁸So 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.

Genesis 13 (NIV)

When Abram left his home to embark on this journey God had called him on, his nephew, Lot tagged along. Now, God had blessed Abram and Lot so much that they both had lots of wealth and many employees. Their employees started to quarrel amongst themselves and to maintain peace, Abram suggested that he and Lot part ways.

When Lot left Abram, God started to reveal more to him about this journey he was on and what was coming to Abram.

Lessons from Genesis 13

People follow people with vision: Lot followed Abram because Abram was a man with purpose and vision. In order to be a leader who draws people, you need to be a person with a vision.
Financial increase is a display of the blessings of the Lord: many Christians have a poverty mentality, they believe they need to be poor in order to please God but that is simply not true. Abram was wealthy in livestock, silver and gold, and the Bible tells us that Abram pleased God and was blessed by God everywhere he went. Don’t shy away from wealth, but also don’t make it your god.
Home is where your treasures lie (where your altars are built): Abram moved quite a lot but he eventually made it back to where he had first built an altar to the Lord – the place of encounter. In a similar way, we tend to gravitate toward where our treasures are (e.g. family, friends, business, job, etc.). If you find yourself constantly struggling with your commitment to God, you need to search your heart and find out where your treasures lie (where your altars are built), you can’t truly commit to God if your focus is not on Him.
When you mingle with people who are blessed, you become blessed by association just like Lot with Abram. This usually happens as a result of the overflow of blessings, favour etc., and also from impartation of wisdom (through communications, by watching them, by learning from them).
At times distance brings people closer: Abram noticed that quarrels had started to arise between his employers and Lot’s, so for the sake of peace and to maintain their relationship he asked that they both part ways. Quarrels at times arise from close proximity, and at times the health of a relationship can be improved by taking some distance.
Be led by the Spirit and not by sight: because of the green pastures Lot saw with his eyes, he was drawn to the plain of the Jordan and decided to pitch his tent near Sodom, even though the people who lived there were wicked and had no regard for the Lord. As you’ll find out in later chapters of the Bible, destruction came upon that land and what was once thriving became dead and barren. When making decisions in life, it is important to pray and trust God for guidance. God knows a lot more than we could ever know and He cares enough to never lead you into a pit.
In order for some blessings to flow in your life, you need to let certain people go: notice how God came back to prophecy to Abram after Lot parted from him. God had initially told Abram to leave his country and people (Genesis 12:1) but Abram did not fully obey, he took Lot (his nephew) with him. Who are you taking along with you that you should not be?
The extent of your vision is the boundary of your blessing: with God, all things are possible. As a Christian, your only limitation is your own vision. You can only go as far as you can see or as far as you can believe you can go.
Heirs of the promises of Abraham: God made to Abraham (previously known as Abram) and his offspring. Take note of these promises as you are Abraham’s offspring and therefore those promises are yours to behold.
Walk through the land: God told Abram to walk through the land He was giving him. We take hold of the blessings of God by walking in faith through the length and breadth of the lands He has promised to us. When God sends you somewhere, go forth with no doubt in your heart, don’t just sit there and wait for Him to push you or bring the land to you. When Abram got this word,he moved his tents to a new place and built an altar to the Lord (bringing his treasure along with him – keeping his eyes focused on God and not on the land at hand).

Reflection

Are you a person with a vision?
Do you believe it is God’s will that you be blessed in every area of your life including financially?
Is your heart focused on God or on your possessions?
How can you invite God into your decision making process?

Prayer

Dear Father, thank you for all your promises made to me and my offspring. I pray today that you guide me in all my decisions, so that I will always make the right choices. Thank you for giving me wisdom and for providing me counsel. In Jesus’ name, amen.