Abraham and Lot

Abram and Lot have an interesting relationship and we see that relationship tested and pushed to it's limits. Four things I want us to notice to night 1.) The Return 1-4 2.) The Wrestle 5-7 3.) The Resolve 8-13 4.) The Renewal 14-18

The Return - 1-4

When we last left Abram he was down in Egypt getting into trouble with the Pharoah over his Wife Sarai. One commentator has compared Abram's experience in Egypt to that of the prodigal son, who went into a far country and there wasted his substance. It was only when he was so hungry that he was eating pigs' food that he came to his senses. The point is this: "Swine-husks are often the hors d'oeuvres before the fatted calf. The only way to get back into the will of God is to go back to the very cause of the departure, confess it, forsake it, and return to the place of fellowship."[1]

James Montgomery Boice, An Expositional Commentary – Genesis, Volume 2: A New Beginning (Genesis 12-36), Paperback ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2006), WORDsearchCROSS e-book, 480.

On the momentous day when he left Ur, he had rested everything on the bare word of God. He obeyed and went out, though he had no idea where he was going. He believed God's promise that great blessing would come both upon him and through him. Then, in Canaan, he believed God when God said, "To your offspring I will give this land" (Genesis 12:7). But in Egypt he exhibited a distrust that was not consonant with the faith in his heart of hearts.

R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word – Genesis: Beginning and Blessing, (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2004), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 197.

He was expelled or at least asked to leave so picking up his belongings he heads south to Bethel 13:3. This is the second time he has been here, and he returns to where he has built an altar. and called on God. It's interesting that, "Not once while he was in Egypt did Abram either erect monuments to or invoke his deity."Victor P. Hamilton, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament – The Book of Genesis Chapters 1-17, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 390.

The Wrestle 5-7

Not only are we introduced to the family problems of Lot and Abram we are also introduced to a new group of pagan people 13:7 we see the Canaanites and the Perizzites. While no one really knows who the Perizzites were it is thought that perhaps they were more rural people while the Canaanites were city dwellers. Lot, Abram's nephew was also traveling with them, and for the next few chapters we will follow more of the events of his life. Up to this point he has been somewhat of a third wheel, just tagging along, the silent guest. Abram's wealth according to 13:2 was cattle, silver and gold Lot's wealth according to 13:5 was flocks, herds, and tents.

While lot was wealthy, but Abram was very rich 13:2 Lot and Abram seem to be friendly to one another, but their herdsmen were frustrating one another. "Domestic conundrums of unbelievable complexity are never far from Abram. The tension now shifts from husband and wife to uncle and nephew. "Victor P. Hamilton, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament – The Book of Genesis Chapters 1-17, (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1976), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 390. It is interesting that while all of this wealth they were so close to one another that it was impossible to get along.

The Resolve 8-13

One has to wonder at the response of Abram in this situation compared to the one in Egypt. Perhaps it was Abram going to the Lord again. His time spent with God that brought the change of attitude. Abraham's separation from Lot also carries on the theme of the "promise in jeopardy." As the story reads, Abraham is on the verge of giving the Promised Land to Lot ("If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left," v.9). What is particularly striking about Abraham's offer is that in the subsequent narrative (19:37-38) Lot is shown to be the father of the Ammonites and the Moabites. Abraham is about to hand the Promised Land over to the same people who, in the author's own day (e.g., Num 22-25) and throughout Israel's subsequent history (Deut 23:3-6; Ezra 9:1), were the primary obstacle to the fulfillment of the promise. Thanks to Abraham the promise seems to teeter on the whim of the father of the Moabites. But, as the narrative shows, Lot "chose" (wayyibhar) to go "east" (miqqedem v.11); so Abraham remained in the land (v.12). Thus God's promise was secure, in spite of Abraham's passivity."Frank E. Gaebelein, ed., The Expositor's Bible Commentary – Volume 2: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1990), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 118. Lot's Choice - The Plains of Sodom -

The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart. Lot's heart was centered on wealth and worldly achievement, while Abraham wanted only to please the Lord. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3) Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary – Pentateuch, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2001), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 73.

The Renewal - 14-18

Look in all directions North, south, East, West

All you see, it's yours and your seed forever. Your seed will be as the dust of the earth.

Lot missed the fact that when Abram looked east he actually saw what Lot had already chosen. This meant that Lot's temporary acquisition of the whole plain of Jordan had no impact on Abram's ultimate ownership! Notice also the word forever.

Kenneth O. Gangel and Stephen J. Bramer, Holman Old Testament Commentary – Genesis, ed. Max Anders, (Nashville, TN: Broadman Holman, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 124.

Go walk in your land Abram

Walking the length and breadth of it was a sign of ownership. Abram moves to Mamre (Hebron) and worships God there