Genesis 13 – Abram and
Lot Separate
Choices
Abram
went from Egypt to Negev with his wife and his possessions and his nephew, Lot. From Negev Abram went to the place where he
had earlier built an altar and there he called on the name of the Lord. Abram faced another life challenge with
Lot. There was not enough grass for both
Abram and Lot’s large herds so the land could not support them both. The herdsmen became frustrated and began to
quarrel. Since Abram was the elder and
leader of this journey, he was ready to sacrifice his own right by letting Lot
choose where to settle. Abram showed
growth from his last choice. He showed a
different priority. He chose peace and
called Lot a brother. (Gen. 13:8) He realized life with God was worth trusting
at all costs. He knew it would be
stressful, but yields his rights to Lot.
“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.” – Gen. 13:9.
These
verses show a very big different in each of the men’s character. Abram made a sacrifice by letting Lot choose
first. Abram kept unity and comprised. He was generous, humble, patient and kept
unity with Lot. He sought God’s
wisdom. Lot didn’t consult the
Lord. He chose his land selfishly by
taking the most fertile land with only thoughts of himself.
Are
you an Abram or a Lot?
During
the famine when Abram was in Egypt, he took matters into his own hands. He knew he had made a mess of things. He learned that true prosperity is living
right with God. Abram was right with
God. He stayed
away from arguments with Lot. Few things
turn away the non-believer like a quarrelling Christian.
Since
choices often result in eternal significant consequences, we must choose in
line with God’s principles. Abram’s
attitudes and actions are examples for how Christians who disagree with one
another should act.
Gen. 15:5-13 – We are to compromise
and work out our differences.
1 Cor. 6:1-8 – We are not to bring
lawsuits against another believer.
Eph. 4:1-3 – We are to be
completely humble, gentle, patient and keep unity.
Eph. 4:31-5:2 – We are to get rid of
bitterness, rage, anger. We are to be
kind, compassionate and forgiving.
How
are you trying to manage people or out comes?
How
is God calling you to let go of what you think you deserve?
Is
your squabbling impacting your witness?
Do
others see that you as a believer handle things differently or the same as an
unbeliever?
Do
you let practicable problems grow into spiritual problems?
How
will you let God lead you today in your problems?
Lot
chose the Jordan plain because was well watered, like the garden of the Lord
and like the land of Egypt. (Gen. 13:10)
It was near the town of Sodom which was famous for its wickedness. Lot was what we call a carnal Christian. He lived on the edge of God’s will and not
spiritually mature. There is no mention
of him building an altar or calling on the name of the Lord for guidance. However 2
Peter 2:7 tells us that Lot was a righteous man. We will learn more of Lot in Genesis 19. It’s easy to be like Lot. He let his eyes make his choices. He chose by sight not by faith.
Lot
became wealthy while staying with Abram in Egypt, but showed no gratitude. Wealth can be a blessing but can be a
dangerous blessing. It can result and
used in either evil or for good. To whom
much is given, much shall be required (Luke
12:48). When your income increases,
so does your accountability to God.
Abram
stayed in Canaan while Lot lived near the city of Sodom. Sodom was very wicked, but Lot was not
concerned on how it would impact his family.
By his choice he lost his property, his wife and his daughters to this
sinful place and as we know God eventually destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. His choice showed the priority of his heart.
Would
others say you are spiritually immature?
How
can you resist the world’s ways?
What
does your choice reveal about your heart?
Do
you feel short changed, hurt, afraid, need control, and not sure you trust God?
What
do your choices teach you about you?
Are
you like Lot thinking you could have the best of both worlds?
God Reassures Abram
Abram
was probably disappointed and sadden that he was taken advantage of by
Lot. God said “Lift
up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. All the
land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever….” – Gen. 13:14-15. He’s saying look where you are; God is still
on the throne and is still in charge.
Lot looked at the land and saw what seemed to be good now. Abram was down in the dumps, but God says not
to worry. What He will give him is much
better. Abram doesn’t just say I
believe, he gets up and acts. He moved
his tents and built an altar to the Lord. (Gen.
13:18)
Do
you have a Lot in our life?
Is
their choice concerning you? You know
you have to let them go and look up right where you are.
Do
you have a wayward child, a financial problem, a job loss?
Will
you respond like Abram?
Do
you respond through God’s Word and through worship?
How
do you make his Word and worship a daily priority? The world will not help you.
Principle: Focusing on God’s Word and worship will
strengthen us to move forward on our journey of faith.
Genesis 14 – Abram Rescues
Lot
War
This
chapter reveals Abram’s love for family, his willingness to take risks for the
right cause, his leadership capabilities, his humility in victory and his
motives for going to war.
4
kings knows as Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Kedorlaomer
king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim went to war against Bera king of Sodom,
Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeloiim, and
the king of Bela or Zoar. For 12 years
the latter 5 kings had been subjects to the king of Elam, Kedorlaomer. They had enough and decided they would not
pay tribute anymore so they rebelled. Elam today is known as Iran and Shinar is
known as Iraq. During this war they
seized all the good of Sodom and Gomorrah and captured Abram’s nephew Lot and
his possessions (Gen. 14:1-12).
Lot had chosen to live in Sodom. It was a wicked place, but he didn’t seem to
be concerned or how it would affect his family.
Lot’s choices contributed to his being taken captive. He chose wealth. He chose to settle where the land was rich
and fertile. He chose worldly values,
did not consider the consequences, and did not ask God for guidance.
Abram
was aware of the turmoil of the region and had formed allies. He showed great wisdom by having trained 318
men and was prepared for war at any time.
One man escaped and reported to Abram that Lot had been captured. Abram called on his 318 men for help. Why does scripture say 318? I’m not sure, but it doesn’t matter. They represent 318 lives and 318 men who were
ready and willing when needed. It shows
that every person matters to God. Abram used
proper tactics for the situation. During
the night Abram divided his men to attack and pursued the armies driving them
north of Damascus. Abram shows us the
proper attitude and action we ought to have and take when the stakes are high
but the cause righteous. Abram was willing to take risks.
How
do you define victory?
What
does it mean to win?
Are
you willing to take risks as you live a godly life?
What is your battle – fear,
family, health, lost hope? Jesus is your high priest and is praying for
you. He knows what you need.
What does your victory look like? Life with God is the ultimate
victory.
Is it victory when it turns out
the way you wanted or when God is glorified? When the true God is worshipped,
that is victory.
How can your battle be a worship
to God?
What do you need to do to say no
to what the world offers?
The
Christian life can be filled with times that are risky. (2 Cor. 11:23-28) The salvation
of men is the highest cause. Abram is a great example of boldness in the face
of danger, when the cause is right. Lot
was not prepared. He was caught up in
the world, but God got his attention.
Is God trying to get your attention? All
believers live in a war against evil. We
can stand against the devil’s schemes by putting on the full armor of God. The weapons Christians are to use against
spiritual enemies are found in Eph. 6:10-18 –
“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that
when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you
have done everything, to stand. Stand
firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the
breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the
readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and
requests. With this in mind, be alert
and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
I
think God is trying to get our attention today with this covid19, with all the
forest fires, and with all the unrest we see in our world. He’s speaking to us. Are you listening? We don’t know what tomorrow brings or even if
we will be here. Are you prepared to
meet God’s judgment?
Do you consider yourself prepared
for attack against evil? Living outside God’s will is a form of
capture. The biggest battle you face in
life is for your soul.
What are some of your spiritual
battles you face?
Is your battle to trust God?
Is your battle to obey and surrender
control to God?
Is your battle to give or serve,
when you think you can’t?
Is your battle fear, pride, or
jealousy?
God’s Word helps us see it’s a
battle and how to respond. The world
entices us to believe what we think we need and don’t have. Abram could have said to Lot, “You made your
bed now you have to lie in it” or “I hope someone will talk some sense into
him” or “I have my own life and demands and I don’t have time.” But Abram’s heart showed no anger or
resentment.
How will you get involved with
those held captive in the world? There are those who are in pain,
have quilt from the past, heartbroken, disparate, in habitual sin, etc. How will you help? We have become desensitized to the pain and
evil in our world. How will you
surrender your heart to God and get involved?
Living prepared means go when God
says go. Ask God to show you how to set
a captive free. It may take a lot of
your time and a lot of prayer. Are
you willing to invest in God’s redeeming work of great cost? We will never understand what Jesus gave up
to save us. Abram believed God would
guide him. He shows us the heart of
Jesus. Jesus rescued us and paid the price on the cross for our sins, when we
didn’t deserve it.
Principle: Living prepared and willing to obey God wins
spiritual battles.
Worship
After Abram defeated Kedorlaomer and the kings
allied with him. Melchizedek king of
Salem brought bread and wine and blessed Abram.
Melchizedek was the priest of God Most High. (Gen 14:18-20) Melchizedek
was a picture of the coming Christ and His work. They were alike in that both Jesus and
Melchizedek were kings and high priests forever. There is no mention of Melchizedek’s birth or
death. This is a symbol of Jesus, both
are from God. Hebrews 7 tells us that
Jesus is a high priest like Melchizedek.
Melchizedek came to give Abram strength after the battle. Abram was probably very tired and he reminded him that the victory belonged to God. Abram's response was to worship God and give a 10th of everything. This was Abram's way of acknowledging that the victory belonged to God.
Do you give a tithe to your local church each week.
Are there other gifts that you give the Lord to celebrate your appreciation toward God?
What to say about Christ as Priest that will help others:
To a discouraged Christian - Jesus is always there for us. He always listens and answers our prayers. He always forgives, if you repent. He will never forsake you.
To a tempted Christian - Jesus was tempted in every way and He knows what you're going through. He resisted temptation and you can to. Just ask Him to help you. Read the Word and don't stop praying.
To yourself - He always listens when I pray and always answers my prayers. It may not be what I want, but it is always in my best interest. He loves me and wants the best for me. We are all discouraged at times and tempted daily. I just need to keep praying and trusting.
Do you have Abram's love for family?
Do you have his willingness to take risks for the right cause?
Do you exercise the kind of leadership that he did?
Are you prepared for future evils?
Is there someone or situation the Lord has set on your heart for you to respond to?
Principle: True victory is the worship and glory of God in an ungodly world.
Join
me here next time as we continue our study in Genesis. -- I encourage you to trust in and have faith
in Jesus.
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