But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
Job 16:5 (NIV)
| Whose
the Enemy? by Cathy Vinson |
As enemies lurk around, Abram(ham) and Lot are realizing they have a difficulty...it is with each other! Looking back, Lot had left his homeland next to Abram without even the call being directed to him. With Abram he had relocated, faced a famine, endured risks in Egypt. Together they had worshipped God. Thoroughly bonded, Abram expressed "...we are brothers" (Gen 13:6). Because of inner tension arising among themselves, something must be done. In light of the fact that they were brothers, they would both need to cooperate to preserve the priority of their relationship. Wisely this would mean separation in order to keep honoring one another. They would still defend each other as Abram did later. In recollection, Gordon MacDonald has said that separation is better than hatred. These two brethren believed this to be so. Any other encouragements toward unity? "The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land." How could they possibly have a front before the REAL enemy when they were at odds with each other? Inward decay while enemies loomed made it expedient to begin solving the inner conflict. "Judgment begins in the house of God." "A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand." Do we see the "Canaanites and Perizzites"? Be quick to say "we are brothers" and find the necessary means of resolution. May it not be said one day that our lives were spent in battle, but never with the real enemy. |
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| "The
Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time."
(Gen 13:7) |
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