Beginnings #8
Lot’s Choice
Genesis 13:5 – 14:24 (NKJV)
Conflict
Genesis 13:5-9 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. 6 Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.
8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I
will go to the left.” NKJV
Abram resolved the conflict when:
- He did not abuse his power and position
- He used words of grace in order to reduce tension and come up with a peaceful solution
- He was unselfish and allowed Lot the choice of land
- He gave up his right for the sake of harmony
- Trusted God for the result
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. NKJV
Choice
Genesis 13:10-13 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. NKJV
Motivations
Lot by sight and greed – Abram by faith and generosity.
Genesis 13:14-18 And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. 16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 17 Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” 18 Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord. NKJV
Results of Lot’s Choice:
Lot was influenced by the wickedness of Sodom
Genesis 13:12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. NKJV
Genesis 14:12 They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. NKJV
Genesis 19:1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom … NKJV
Lot’s family was affected by the choices that Lot made
Genesis 19:15-16 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” 16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. NKJV
Genesis 19:26 But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. NKJV
Champion
Genesis 14:14-16 Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16 So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people. NKJV
Genesis 14:18-24 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all. 21 Now the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High,
the Possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’—24 except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me:
Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.” NKJV
What made Abram a hero?
- He was unselfish
- He was not driven by greed
Lessons to learn from the story:
- Adjust your vision: Look beyond yourself
- Adjust your values: Prioritize what is truly important
- Choose wisely: With proper vision and values, wise choices will follow
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. NKJV
