Genesis 13

Abraham was scheming to escape his problems, which left himself with a set of new problems

 Abram’s unbelief took him from his place of worship; it led him into sin, and it caused him to lead others into sin. His unbelief displayed greater confidence in his ability to lie than in the protecting power of God. It even broke apart his family for a while. Even an ungodly king rightly rebuked Abram.

His faith was tested with the famine and he failed the test

His unbelief took him from a place of worship to a place of sin

He was rebuked by Pharaoh and I wonder what his wife thought of him trying to save his own skin

Some might say, Abram received wealth and a maid servant Hagar, it wasn’t all that bad

But we know that Hagar would bring division and sorrow into the home

1. (V3) He journey back Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning

a) He journey back to where the tent had been at the beginning

Wasted time?

You might say, If only he would of stayed he would have been that much further along

God doesn’t wast anything in our lives, even the mistakes, the failures

Racing dirt bikes, I would more from the days where I made mistakes

I think its the same in our walk with the Lord, our mistakes help us grow and mature

In the same way, God uses our mistakes in our walk with Him. When we humble ourselves, repent, and keep walking, those failures become tools for growth.

They deepen our dependence on Christ, sharpen our discernment, and move us toward maturity.

1.2 (V4) Abram called on the name of the Lord

a) He called on the name of the Lord

Instead of agonizing over his past sin, he did what he needed to do: living with the tent as a pilgrim and the altar as a worshipper, calling on the name of the Lord.

b) Run to God, not away from Him

In times of sin, the temptation is to run way from God

To think that we are forsaken

Adam and Eve, hid from God in the garden

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

2. (V5-7) There was strife between Abram and Lott’s heardsmen

a) The consequence of sin was strife between Abram and Lott

God commanded Abram to leave his family behind when he came to Canaan (Genesis 12:1), but Abram brought his nephew Lot with him. This kind of trouble was the result.

God allowed strife to separate the two

b) Strife because there possessions were great

They were a poor witness because of their strife

The people in the land were watching them

c) Where does war and fights come from?

James 4:1 “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?”

James 3:15–16 “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”

2.1 (V8-9) Lot seeks peace

a) Let there be no strife

Abram was working to keep unity

Ephesians 4:3 “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

b) God gave Abram all the land, but he let Lot choose

He generously gave Lot his pick

Abram put his fait into the hands of God

c) He is trusting God through the process

He’s walking in faith

Willing to yield

2.2 (V10-11) Lot lifted his eyes and saw the plain of Jordan

a) He was walking by sight

Lot thought only about the things he could see

We find no evidence he prayed, he simply chose based on physical appearance

1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”

3. (V15) God confirms His promise to Abram

Dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron:

Mamre means, vision. 

Hebron means communion.

Abram once again walked in the Lord’s vision for him and in communion with the Lord.