Daily Devotional Monday 12th August 2024

by William Moody

Genesis 13

Abram and Lot Separate

13:1 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.

Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the LORD. And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.

Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.1 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.

14 The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks2 of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.

Footnotes

[1] 13:8 Hebrew we are men, brothers
[2] 13:18 Or terebinths

(ESV)

Abram and his nephew Lot both had large herds and flocks of animals. The land was struggling to sustain them both (v6) and this led to disputes between their workers (v7).

They decide to separate (v8-9). Sometimes separation among God’s people, while not desirable can be unavoidable (see Acts 15 v36-40). Separation is better than ongoing conflict between God’s people.

In choosing which way to go, Lot made his decision on what would be materially the best (v10-11). Any spiritual considerations were at best secondary and this brought Lot into the dangerous vicinity of the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (v13).

Are there decisions you take because in regards to pleasure, financial or material things it appears good, but spiritually it has a negative impact on your soul? Do you put your needs of the soul first day by day?

God again confirms His promises to Abraham (v14-17).  When we are faithful God will be faithful to us and through His Word God delights to reassure His people of His love, provision and presence with them.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®),
copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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