1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. 2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Beth–el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth–el and Hai; 4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the Lord.
We see Abram and his caravan returning to the Promised Land. Pharaoh sent Abram away with a great deal of riches, in the form of “sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.” Gen. 12:15 These gifts were given to Abram by Pharoah when he was entreating for Sarai. In the above passage, we read that Abram also came away with much gold and silver. Even in backsliding – God’s people are blessed.
Abram has “turned back,” and offered sacrifice. True repentance involves a turning, an identifiable change from the sinful path, back to the straight path. Without the “turning,” or repentance – there can be no fellowship with God.
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. 6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
Abram lays out to Lot, a choice, similar to the choices that every believer must make in their lives. Do we take the hard road, full of resistance and challenges? Or do we take the easy road that will give ease and comfort to our flesh?
Abram and Lot represent the two kinds of Christians. Lot – the Carnal believer, and Abram – the Spiritual believer.
10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.
Lot’s worldly vision – only has eyes for the well-watered plain of Jordan. In his eyes, it is even like the Garden of Eden, and the lush land of Egypt. In his covetousness – he blocks out the reality of the depraved moral condition of the men of Sodom. His desire has overruled his faith.
14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. 18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord. Genesis 13: 1-18
This is likely the view that Abram had of the Promised land. Not in any way like the lush, well-watered plain of Sodom that Lot chose. Abram remained in the rocky, stubble filled mountains.
Lot – the carnal believer chose the selfish way, the worldly way. He chose not to separate himself from evil and its influence, rather, he chose to live alongside it; in the same fashion that the post modern Christian does; thereby inviting disaster. Like Lot, when disaster comes, the carnal Christian will fail to see it as a warning from God.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 John 2: 15-17
Great teaching, Sage! I don’t want to get ahead of the lesson, but, I foresee a lot of lively discussion as this lesson develops! LOL
Me too! LOL But – I feel fairly certain, that I’ve heard the “discussions” before. That’s OK – I have my “sword” ready.
Sage, thank you for this Bible lesson, I enjoyed it very much. Your ability to explain the meaning of the scripture quoted and include historical information makes for a more richer understanding of the subject.
You are very welcome, melthemean. It blesses me to know it has helped you. Thank you.
Sage, I like how you time these Bible study posts for Saturday. They are food for our souls — for us to ponder and reflect as we prepare ourselves for Sunday worship!
Uh -oh! You found me out!
Are the “greater Israel” folks wrong in thinking that all the land belongs to them since Abram’s seed also included Muslims? Thanks, Bill
Bill – the “Promised Land” was only promised to the line of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, the covenant being renewed with each of them – which we will covering very soon. The families still fight over it though. As you say – all the seed of Abram. Even “Christians” try to claim it, being the “spiritual seed” of Abraham. The concept of “greater Israel” is not in the Bible.
When Nehemiah was challenged by Arabs about rebuilding the wall he responded thus -
“19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.” Nehemiah 2:19-20
How exciting….I couldn’t wait to see your answer! Thanks!
Sage, How is it possible that Nehemiah being a man can negate a promise that God made to all of Abram’s seed? Doesn’t the Palestinian family of today deserve much better than what they receive from the current government of Israel?
Nehemiah did not negate anything. He merely stated what was, and he was appointed by God to rebuild the wall. We will examine this in detail, but it’s going to take several weeks to cover all of it.
But I repeat – Nehemiah was God’s appointed one, to rebuild the wall. Only the ungodly would try to stop that. The people that call themselves “Palestinians” only began calling themselves that when Israel was reborn in 1948. They are Arabs – Jordanians, Greeks. . .There is no such thing as a “Palestinian.” Ask Walid Shoebat (former Palestinian terrorist)
http://www.shoebat.com/
I wish their own governments, the governments of Jordan, and Egypt, and Saudi Arabia would treat them better. The fact is – Israelis treat peaceful Muslims dwelling in Israel very well. It’s just the ones trying to wipe them off the face of the earth that they take issue with.
http://www.wnd.com/2001/04/8985/
Sage, Operation Cast Lead would prove you wrong as most of the victims were women and children. Many of the younger Israelis are demonstrating for a more just policy toward Palestine. For a country that killed our sailors on the US Liberty and has not signed the non-proliferation treaty Israel is treated way to well by America. We are enabling them if not actively encouraging them to act like they do. There has to be a middle ground.
Well. Bill. I am not relying on my own opinion. Strictly from the Bible, which I know to be the perfect, inspired Word of God. I do not hold the same opinion of Amnesty International.
This is the last response I’m giving here today. If you care to follow along the unfolding majesty of God’s plan of salvation – from Genesis onwards, that’s what will be happening in the weekly devotional. And yes – the Jews feature very, very heavily in it. If that makes you uncomfortable, don’t follow.
https://fellowshipofminds.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/can-the-bible-be-trusted/
Bill in Texas,
Sage has been courteous and gracious, answering your questions. Like all the writers here on FOTM, Sage gives her time and energy at $0 pay. This means we simply do not have the time or energy to expend on endless arguing. If you persist in being argumentative for the sake of being argumentative, your comments will no longer be published.
~Eowyn
Owner/administrator
FOTM
I respect Sage and she is indeed courteous. I became a Christian in 1987 because of faith in Jesus as God’s son. I was 42 at the time. My faith has never shifted and never will. As far as believing all of the bible is inerrant that will never happen. I serve Jesus and my question will always be “What would Jesus do” when faced with a moral decision.