Genesis 13 - Abram and Lot

For this chapter I want to share this resource I found in https://www.casualenglishbible.com/genesis-13/

After I've written my observations/reflections yesterday, today I've read a great study of Genesis 13 here, "Abram and Lot - A Contrast in Character": https://www.slideshare.net/DavidTurner28/abraham-and-lot-a-contrast-in-character-genesis-13

Summary https://marksbiblejourney.blogspot.com/2019/10/genesis.html
"After being sent away from Egypt, Abram and his house return to the Negev.  Abram goes back to where he had built the altar, and he worships the Lord again.  Both Abram and his nephew, Lot, were rich at this time with large herds, flocks, and tents.  The land could not support both of them.  Also, there was conflict between their herdsmen.    Before matters got worse, Abram comes up with a resolution to go separate ways and settle in different lands.  Lot chooses to settle in the Jordan Valley as there was water there and the land flourished.  Lot sets up his tent near Sodom, an evil city.  Abram stayed in the land of Canaan, most likely near the Negev.  God tells Abram that all the land he sees in every direction will one day belong to his offspring.  Also, Abram's offspring will be as numerous as the sands of the earth."

Reading from the Amplified Bible (AMP) version..

• "Now Abram was extremely rich in livestock and in silver and in gold. He journeyed on from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, where he had first built an altar; and there Abram called on the name of the Lord [in prayer]." v.2-4

• "But Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. Now the land was not able to support them [that is, sustain all their grazing and water needs] while they lived near one another, for their possessions were too great for them to stay together. And there was strife and quarreling between the herdsmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle." v.5-7

• "So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife and disagreement between you and me, nor between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, because we are relatives. Is not the entire land before you? Please separate [yourself] from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or if you choose the right, then I will go to the left.” v.8-9

• "Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot settled in the cities of the valley and camped as far as Sodom and lived there. But the men of Sodom were extremely wicked and sinful against the Lord [unashamed in their open sin before Him]." v.12-13

• "The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had left him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are standing, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see I will give to you and to your descendants forever. I will make your descendants [as numerous] as the dust of the earth, so that if a man could count the [grains of] dust of the earth, then your descendants could also be counted. Arise, walk (make a thorough reconnaissance) around in the land, through its length and its width, for I will give it to you.” v.14-17

My personal observations and reflections...

• OUT OF EGYPT, BACK TO GOD. In the beginning of the Chapter, we were given a little throwback, "He journeyed on from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, where he had first built an altar; and there Abram called on the name of the Lord [in prayer]." (v.3-4) 

We don't know how much time have passed since Abram and family had stayed in the land of Egypt up to this point, but EGYPT somehow represents something here. It is a wealthy land with a leader called Pharaoh, but it is pagan (believes there was not just one god but a number of gods and goddesses). It has a different culture. Surely, living there even for a short time will impact and influence someone.

• SIN CITY. As time goes by, flocks are growing, and another conflict ensued, this time between Abram and his nephew Lot. I wonder why Lot came with Abram, in the first place? Maybe because he is also looking for a better future outside his home country, to raise his descendants, or to support Abram's journey, whom he may consider also a father to him (maybe).. but for some reason, the resources are not enough for both Abram and Lot's crew. As if this journey was really meant to be taken only by Abram in the first place.. But anyhow, Abram dealt with it in a very mature and humble manner! I'm amazed that he even let his nephew Lot choose first..wow.. those are godly characteristics of a peacemaker or mediator/leader.. 

Lot chose a land which seems to be a "greener pasture", but will later be proved "deadly"..because the land is near a sin city.. you just can't go near sin and not be bitten by it..

• I wonder if this is a picture of how we can be more vulnerable to sin if we live in too much comfort, luxury, etc. "So Lot LOOKED and SAW that the valley of the Jordan was well watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah; [it was all] like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar [at the south end of the Dead Sea]." Behind the beauty and abundance, there is a darkness that is lurking.. "Lot settled in the cities of the valley and camped as far as Sodom and lived there. But the men of Sodom were extremely wicked and sinful against the Lord [unashamed in their open sin before Him]." (v.12-13)

• COVENANT. Notice how after Lot left, God spoke again to Abram and recounted, reaffirmed his everlasting covenant to Abram and his descendants... Personally, I would rather be "where" Abram is, having God provide for all my needs, just content and grateful with what I have, trusting God for directions in my life, rather than where Lot is, who chose for himself a seemingly greater land or life, but is near sin and temptations.

Read the Bible here:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+13&version=AMP