Tuesday: Abraham and Lot
Read Genesis 13:1-18. What does this story teach us about the importance of character?
Abram returns to where he was before, as if his trip to Egypt were a mere unfortunate detour. God’s history with Abram starts again, where it had stopped since his first trip to the Promised Land. Abram’s first station is Bethel (Genesis 13:3), just as in his first trip to the land (Genesis 12:3-6). Abram has repented and is back to “himself”: Abram, the man of faith.
Image © Suzana Tomovska from GoodSalt.com
Abram’s reconnection with God shows already in his relationship with people, in the way that he handles the problem with Lot, his nephew, concerning the use of the land. However, it is Abram himself who proposes a peaceful agreement and allows Lot to choose first (Genesis 13:9-10), an act of generosity and kindness, indicative of the kind of man Abram was.
The fact that Lot chose the easiest and best part for himself, the well-watered plain (Genesis 13:10-11), without any concern about the wickedness of his future neighbors (Genesis 13:13) reveals something about his greediness and character. The phrase “for himself” reminds us of the antediluvians, who also chose “for themselves” (see Genesis 6:2).
In contrast, Abram’s move was an act of faith. Abram did not choose the land; it was given to him by God’s grace. Unlike Lot, Abram looked at the land only at God’s injunction (Genesis 13:14-15). It is only when Abram separates from Lot that God speaks to him again . In fact, this is the first recorded time in the Bible that God speaks to Abram since his call at Ur. “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are — northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever” (Genesis 13:14-15, , NKJV). God, then, invites Abram to “walk” on this land as an act of appropriation. “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you” (Genesis 13:17, NKJV).
The Lord, though, makes it very clear that He, God, is giving it to Abram. It is a gift, a gift of grace, which Abram must appropriate by faith, a faith that leads to obedience. It is the work of God alone that will bring about all that He has promised to Abram here (see Genesis 13:14-17).
| How can we learn to be kind and generous to others, even when they aren’t that way to us? |
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I have been blessed from reading ABOUT Abram and Lot. I see more clearly the importance of having a Christ-Like character. After all its the only thing that a Christian will take with him or her to heaven. Praise be to God for the desire to read, pray and study His Holy Word!!!
I was about 10 when I was given a small box of lollies for Christmas. In fact my siblings were given them too. It was about the only time of the year we got lollies. They were mostly toffees of the type you can no longer buy these days. One of them was coated in chocolate and I was saving that till last. My parents let us have one lolly per day after tea (supper for those who speak a different dialect). I was down to the last two lollies when my cousin came to visit. He stayed for tea and I had a big decision to make. Should I share my lollies with my cousin? How could I manipulate it so that he did not get the chocolate one? After tea, my siblings took out their lolly boxes and I tried to tell my parents that I did not really want one that evening. I lost the battle and I had to offer my cousin the choice of the two lollies left in the box. Of course, he chose the chocolate one that I had been saving till last, and I had to take the other one. I can remember feeling very unhappy about it at the time and thinking that cousins were not a very good idea. I survived though and I hold no ill feelings against my cousin, who I still see from time-to-time 65 years later.
Abram and Lot: Abram had a somewhat similar situation but with a lot more at stake than a chocolate coated toffee. I had the benefit of parental guidance at the time of my decision although I somewhat grudgingly accepted it then. I wonder if Abram's generous act was the result of divine guidance? Possession in not always the best result, even in the secular world.
Steve Jobs said:
Christianity has never been about ownership, but about relationships. I have to ask the question of myself: How is my relationship with God, and how does that guide my relationship with people? Or am I still smarting because I did not get the chocolate-coated toffee?
More and more I see the truth that "Christianity is about relationships." In fact, it seems to me that sin is a breach in relationship - focusing on advancing self rather than others and God's Kingdom.
But then, sometimes, choosing to do what's best for the other person may not always *look* loving to that person - especially if that person is a child being disciplined. But we need to be clear in our own minds regarding our motivation for what we do - is it because it's good for the Kingdom of God, or is it because it's good for me?
Amen ....God sees our motivations.... It's the core that causes Sin, or righteousness.
James 1:14-18. Matthew 5:19-37
Keeping or not keeping the commandments starts with our motivations. That's were we need the Holy Spirit to overcome !
Shalom
🙏
Abram waived his own rights for the sake of peace and being a good witness to the surrounding nations. Abram's words in Genesis 13:8 stand out to me: "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee....for we be brethren." How much does continuous discord among believing brethren hinder God's plans to show the world His character? Satan has a goal to create discord and separation in families, including or maybe especially, in the family of God. The SDA Conference is hosting a "40 Days of Prayer", May 3 - June 11. You can go to 247unitedprayer.org to find out more. Please join me in praying with our whole hearts for greater unity as members of Christ's Body, that we will let Him be the Head, that we will show true humility to one another and generosity of Spirit to the whole world. In prayer, may we "lift up our eyes and behold" all that God dreams of through us (Gen. 13:14-17), God's seed as numerous as the dust of the earth.
In the recent past, the SDA church had a great study on the letter to the Hebrews. It definitely made an impact on my mind in interpreting the Hebrew Scriptures as shadows, in the light of the realities in the Christian Greek scriptures.
For example, when I read about Abraham now, or any charachter that God our Father communicated with, I look to find a witness to Christ as mentioned in revelation 19, that all Hebrew Scriptures pointed to him.
Case in point: Abraham: Father of many nations.
Galatians 3:2-14. Isaiah 9:6
If all Christians followed that criteria, the light would be Truth, as he is the Truth, and not our own interpretation !
Food for thought !
Shallow 🙏
I see the point here that Abraham let Lot make a first choice due to Abrahams love and humbleness towards his nephew. Is this why God had rewarded him with abundant land and blessings?
Sometimes in life it is imperative to make a choice when there is no middle ground. When I think about what Joshua said: „Joshua 24:16
Choose ye this day whom you will serve, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.“
He meant that his decision to love and serve the Lord and to be faithfully committed to Him was independent of whatever they decided.
Are we to assume that Lot made the wrong choice initially by deciding for a rich land seeming promising in his eyes yet leading to his doom way in the future?
Amen ...
I had that same thought this morning, that Abraham had faith in God, that whatever land lot, Lot picked (pun) God would bless Abraham, and in heinsight we see Abram's family was blessed and Lot's family came to ruin.
Thank You 🙏
Today's lesson concludes with the question "How can we learn to be kind and generous to others, even when they aren’t that way to us?"
Here is something practical you can try every day for a month and see what happens. If you agree with the following statement, print it out and thoughtfully read it to yourself at least 3 times a day. You can personalise/customise it to suit yourself if you wish.
If you want to strengthen the effect of this exercise, you can tell God your answer each time.
Phil,
are you talking about life on earth or eternal life?
if it is life on earth why do so many who reject the LORD continue living and even prosper.
Why do so many good people suffer?
Hi Shirley
Thanks for requesting clarification. By 'life' I am referring to true life or abundant life (as per John 10:10) that is life within the Kingdom of God. It commences on this earth and carries through to eternity. While people consider themselves to be 'alive' apart from the Kingdom of God in this world for now, the actual state is more like 'dead man walking'. Paul refers to this concept in Ephesians 2:1. So, yes, people can be materially prosperous dead men/women walking (Mark 8:36).
True/abundant life in eternity will not involve suffering. Unfortunately, while we are on earth in the period prior to mortality putting on immortality at the second coming, suffering is part of true/abundant life as per John 16:33; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 4:13; experience of Job, etc.
Let me know if you need further clarification.
Thanks Phil, what is true life? Is that another way of saying one is either saved or lost? One is either a child of the LORD or of the devil 1John 3:1-10
One has been conformed to the image of Jesus Rom 8:29 and transformed by the renewing of your mind to know God's will Rom 12:2
Is true life the fact that the LORD has given us the Holy Spirit as a pledge/deposit of eternal life 2Cor 5:1-10, 2Cor 1:22, Rom 8:16, Eph 1:14
Hi Shirley
In answer to your questions, yes.
Does abundant life mean one is saved and that Jesus died for us so we could be saved? That one will have eternal life?
Or does it meant one will have a good, happy, successful life on earth?
I have met quite a few Christians who believe abundant life should mean having a good, happy and successful life on earth. They are especially disappointed or frustrated when this isn't their experience. Unfortunate 'victims' of the 'prosperity gospel'. Although the particularly expression of prosperity differs across cultures, the same basis notion is promoted - sign up for material success, networking opportunities or a trouble-free life.
Thank you for your challenge, Phil. You really made clear that there are only two ways to live the life on this planet - the way of Christ, which is the way self-renouncing love and the way of self, which is also expressed in the "survival of the fittest" philosophy. Each day we have the opportunity to choose one way or the other.
I'd like to combine that with Shirley's comments, because, no matter how hard we try to respond in the manner of Christ, we will always fail because self gets in the way, and the strong-willed feel they have succeeded. Christ is the only "door" to salvation, and He gives the power to act on choices to live life *His* way.
To put things back into practical perspective, I can do no better than to quote from one of my favorite books:
Wow, now that quote answers my question - what does true life mean.
Submit my will to the LORD and He will transform me to be like Him. To have a character like Him 1John 3:1-2.
"through constant surrender to God you will be enabled to live the new life, even the life of faith"
One of my favourite passages 2Peter 1:1-13 to partake of His Divine Nature. In addition to Rom 8:29 and Rom 12:2
Maurice, your story reminds me of the following anecdote: One Sabbath morning I noticed that one of the SS members was wearing a pair of sandals. I asked him why, and he responded that there was a fire in his home that destroyed everytghing. I asked him about the size of his shoes and it matched mine. I told him I had two pairs of shoes that were brand new. I offered him one of them as a gift. One of them was my favorite and he chose that one. As I look back, I am glad I offered him the chance of choosing the one he liked the best.
Did the SS church help him and his family in the need of accommodation ?
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends" John 15 vs 13.
Abram shows Christ like character of giving up the best so that lot may have something great, and further he also demonstrats the faith he had in GOD, he too had livestock, the land that remaind was not as nourishing as the one lot took. But because he had faith in GOD he gave the best to lot, someone who was younger than him