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Genesis 13a:

 Lot leaves Abram

The story of the man of God which has been written “for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” continues.  1 Corinthians 10:11.

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Genesis 13:

1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south [of Canaan].

2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journeys from the south [of Canaan, called the Negev] even to Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; 4 to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.  

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Money is the gift of God to men, to be used with faithfulness in His service.  God blessed Abraham, and made him rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold because He could trust him to use it wisely.  And the Bible states, as an evidence of divine favour, that God gave David, Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah, very much riches and honour.  Again, because it was useful in fulfilling their commission. 

However, like other gifts of God, the possession of wealth brings its increase of responsibility, and its peculiar temptations.  Many who have in adversity remained true to God, have fallen under the glittering allurements of prosperity.  And as Jesus said,  “If you have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.”  Luke 16:12-13. Often with the possession of wealth, the ruling passion of a selfish nature is revealed and the money becomes “the saviour” in place of the Son of God.  The world is cursed today by the miserly greed and the self-indulgent vices of the worshippers of mammon. 

Although the “love of money [aka power]” is considered by God to be the root of all evil, this did not affect Abram. 1 Timothy 6:10.  He was able to bear the burden of riches and use them as a good steward of his LORD.  But the mere possession of them caused a problem springing from the jealousy of others.

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Genesis 13:

5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.  

6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.  8 And Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife, I pray you, between me and you, and between my herdmen and your herdmen; for we be brothers [in Christ].”

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Riches in those days consisted of people and animals as well as money. Abram and Lot soon found that these increased possessions brought increased trouble. In the midst of hardships and trials they had dwelt together in harmony, but now in their prosperity there was danger of strife between them, for it appeared that the land was not sufficient for the flocks and herds of both.  The frequent disputes among the herdsmen, fuelled by the selfish example of the heathen who lived around them, were brought for settlement to their masters. It was evident to human nature that they must separate, yet by God’s promise there was enough for all of them, and more!

Lateral thought:

There are those among professed Christians who are under the reproof of the word of God because of the way they acquired their property.  They are using it, acting as if they owned it, and created it, without an eye to the glory of God, and without earnest prayer to direct them.  They are grasping at a serpent, which will sting them as an adder one day.

Of God's people the Spirit says, “Her merchandise [goods] and her hire [bank accounts] shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up.”  Isaiah 23:18. But many who profess to believe the truth do not want God in their thoughts, any more than did the antediluvians or Sodomites.  One sensible thought of God, awakened by the Holy Spirit, would spoil all their schemes.  Self, self, self, has been their god, their alpha and their omega.

We are safe only in acquiring money as God directs, and using it in channels which He can bless.  God wants us to use His goods with an eye single to His glory, to bless ourselves that we may bless others.  Those who have adopted the world's maxim, and discarded God's specifications, who grasp all they can obtain of wages or goods, are poor, poor indeed, because the frown of God is upon them.  They walk in paths of their own choosing, and do dishonour to God, to truth, to His goodness, to His mercy, His character.

Now, in probationary time, we are all on test and trial.  Satan is working with his deceiving enchantments and bribes (for he gives riches too), and some will think that by their schemes they have made a wonderful profit.  But lo, as they thought they were rising securely, and were carrying themselves loftily in selfishness, they will learn that God can scatter faster than they can gather.

Says Jesus, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.”  Matthew 6:19. Treasures are those things which engross the mind, and absorb the attention, to the exclusion of God and the truth. 

Abram showed that he had the right attitude.

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Genesis 13:

9 [He said to Lot], “Is not the whole land before you?  Separate yourself, I pray you, from me: if you will take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as you come to Zoar.

11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east [he left the land of promise]: and they separated themselves the one from the other.  

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Abraham was Lot's senior in years, and his superior in the family, in wealth, and in position; yet he was the first to propose plans for preserving peace.  Although the whole land had been given to him by God Himself, he courteously waived this right and asked Lot to choose.  Although this was out of rank, it was a good thing in light of the character Lot displayed.  Given the chance he chose the best for himself!

But here the noble, unselfish spirit of Abraham was also displayed, for this is what the contest is all about. Who will show Christian “love” and who earthly?  How many under similar circumstances would, at all hazards, cling to their individual rights and preferences! How many households have thus been torn apart in divorce! How many churches have been divided, making the cause of truth a byword and a reproach among the wicked!

Abram and Lot, both in the same church, typified the contest between Christ and Satan.

“Let there be no strife between me and you,” said Abram, “for we be brothers;” not only by natural relationship, but as worshippers of the true God.  The children of God the world over are one family, and the same spirit of love and conciliation should govern them.  “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another”, is the teaching of our Saviour. Romans 12:10.

The cultivation of courtesy, a willingness to do to others as we would wish them to do to us, if carried out would annihilate half the problems of life. 

The spirit of self-absorption is the spirit of Satan; but the heart in which the love of Christ is cherished, will possess that love which seeks not her own.

1 Corinthians 13:5.  Such will heed the divine ruling, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Philippians 2:4. 

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Genesis 13:

12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.  

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Although Lot owed his prosperity to his connection with Abram, he showed no gratitude to his benefactor for he did not recognise that fact.  In like manner, the people of the world do not realise what they owe to those who obey God.

Courtesy dictated that Lot yield the choice to Abram as his elder, but instead of this he selfishly endeavoured to grasp all its advantages. The most fertile region in all Palestine at that time was the Jordan Valley, reminding the beholders of the lost Paradise and equalling the beauty and productiveness of the Nile-enriched plains they had so lately left.  But there were cities also, wealthy and beautiful, inviting to profitable traffic in their crowded markets.  Dazzled with visions of worldly gain, Lot overlooked the moral and spiritual evils that would be encountered there. 

The inhabitants of the plain were “sinners before the Lord exceedingly;” but of this he was ignorant, or, knowing, gave it but little weight.  He “chose him all the plain of Jordan,” and “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” How little did he foresee the terrible results of that selfish choice! 

The first thirty years of Christ's life were passed in a quiet place.  Ministering angels waited upon the LORD of life as He walked side by side with the peasants and laborers among the hills of Nazareth, unrecognized and unhonoured.  His noble example should teach us to avoid evil influences and to shun the society of those who do not live right.  We should not flatter ourselves that we are too strong for any such influences to affect us, but we should in humility guard ourselves from danger.

Ancient Israel were especially directed by God to be and remain a people separate from all nations.  See Deuteronomy 33:28.  They were not to witness the idolatry of those about them, lest their own hearts should be corrupted, lest familiarity with ungodly practices should make them appear less wicked in their eyes.  Few realize their own weakness and that the natural sinfulness of the human heart too often paralyzes their noblest endeavours. 

The malevolent influence of sin poisons the life of professed Christians.  Our only safety is in separation from those who live in its darkness.  The LORD has enjoined upon us to “come out from among them and be separate, and to touch not the unclean thing, and He will receive us and will be a Father to us, and we shall be His sons and daughters.”  See 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.  If we wish to be adopted into the family of God, to become children of the heavenly King, we must comply with His conditions; we must come out from the world and stand as a peculiar people before the LORD, obeying His precepts and serving Him.

Lot chose Sodom for his home because he saw that there were advantages to be gained there from a worldly point of view.  But after he had established himself, and grown rich in earthly treasure, he became increasingly convinced that he had made a mistake in not taking into consideration the moral standing of the community in which he had made his home.

The dwellers in Sodom were corrupt; vile conversation and wicked behaviour greeted his ears daily, and his righteous heart was vexed by the violence and crime he was powerless to prevent.  His children were becoming like these wicked people, for association with them had perverted their morals.  Taking all these things into consideration, the worldly riches he had gained seemed small and not worth the price he had paid for them.  His family connections among the heathen were extensive, his children having married among the Sodomites.  But when he did leave, it was too late for them. Genesis 19:14.

Back next week, God willing.

Ron

Some of the comments in these readings are adapted from books in my library.  No recognition is given because they are not intended as authorities, but are used because they express my understanding clearly. All the ideas expressed in these readings, right or wrong, are my own.

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Deuteronomy 33:

27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and He shall thrust out the enemy from before you [by His Spirit, Deuteronomy 7:20-23]; and shall say, “Destroy them.” 28 Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also His heavens shall drop down dew.

Numbers 23:

[Balaam said] 9 “For from the top of the rocks I see him [Israel], and from the hills I behold him: lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations [they’ll be different]. 10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!”  Back

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Genesis 19:

14 And Lot went out, and spoke to his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, “Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city.”  But he seemed as one that mocked to his sons in law.  Back

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Deuteronomy 7:

20 Moreover the LORD your God will send the Hornet [the Holy Spirit] among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from you, be [self] destroyed.

21 You shall not be affrighted at them: for the LORD your God is among you, a mighty God and terrible. 22 And the LORD your God will put out those nations before you by little and little: you may not consume them [or take over their land] at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon you. 23 But the LORD your God shall deliver them to you, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed.  Back

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