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Genesis 13:14
Verse
Context
God Renews the Promise to Abram
13But the men of Sodom were wicked, sinning greatly against the LORD.14After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are, and look to the north and south and east and west, 15for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever.
Sermons
Chuck SmithChuck Smith
K.P. Yohannan
Don CourvilleChuck SmithSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The Lord said unto Abram - It is very likely that the angel of the covenant appeared to Abram in open day, when he could take a distinct view of the length and the breadth of this good land. The revelation made Gen 15:5, was evidently made in the night; for then he was called to number the stars, which could not be seen but in the night season: here he is called on to number the dust of the earth, Gen 13:16, which could not be seen but in the day-light.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
After Lot's departure, Jehovah repeated to Abram (by a mental, inward assurance, as we may infer from the fact that אמר "said" is not accompanied by ויּרא "he appeared") His promise that He would give the land to him and to his seed in its whole extent, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward, and would make his seed innumerable like the dust of the earth. From this we may see that the separation of Lot was in accordance with the will of God, as Lot had no share in the promise of God; though God afterwards saved him from destruction for Abram's sake. The possession of the land is promised עולם עד "for ever." The promise of God is unchangeable. As the seed of Abraham was to exist before God for ever, so Canaan was to be its everlasting possession. But this applied not to the lineal posterity of Abram, to his seed according to the flesh, but to the true spiritual seed, which embraced the promise in faith, and held it in a pure believing heart. The promise, therefore, neither precluded the expulsion of the unbelieving seed from the land of Canaan, nor guarantees to existing Jews a return to the earthly Palestine after their conversion to Christ. For as Calvin justly says, "quam terra in saeculum promittitur, non simpliciter notatur perpetuitas; sed quae finem accepit in Christo." Through Christ the promise has been exalted from its temporal form to its true essence; through Him the whole earth becomes Canaan (vid., Gen 17:8). That Abram might appropriate this renewed and now more fully expanded promise, Jehovah directed him to walk through the land in the length of it and the breadth of it. In doing this he came in his "tenting," i.e., his wandering through the land, to Hebron, where he settled by the terebinth of the Amorite Mamre (Gen 14:13), and built an altar to Jehovah. The term ישׁב (set himself, settled down, sat, dwelt) denotes that Abram made this place the central point of his subsequent stay in Canaan (cf. Gen 14:13; Gen 18:1, and Gen 23). On Hebron, see Gen 23:2.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Lift up now thine eyes . . . all the land which thou seest--So extensive a survey of the country, in all directions, can be obtained from no other point in the neighborhood; and those plains and hills, then lying desolate before the eyes of the solitary patriarch, were to be peopled with a mighty nation "like the dust of the earth in number," as they were in Solomon's time (Kg1 4:20).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him,.... The Lord appeared unto him as he had before, and with an articulate voice spoke unto him, to comfort him upon the separation of his kinsman from him, and to renew the grant of the land of Canaan to him and his seed, and to assure him, that though Lot had chosen the most delightful and fruitful part of the country, yet it should not be an inheritance to him and his posterity, but the whole land should be Abraham's and his seed's. Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art; being upon Mount Ephraim, between Bethel and Hai, see Gen 12:8; from whence his view of the land might be extended very far: northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; the north of the land of Canaan was Mount Lebanon, the south of it Edom or Idumea, the east the plain and river of Jordan, the west the Mediterranean sea; and the word for "westward" here is "to the sea" (c); northward of it was Babylon, southward Egypt, eastward Arabia, and westward the Mediterranean sea. (c) "et ad mare", Montanus, Schmidt.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have here an account of a gracious visit which God paid to Abram, to confirm the promise to him and his. Observe, I. When it was that God renewed and ratified the promise: After that Lot was separated from him, that is, 1. After the quarrel was over; for those are best prepared for the visits of divine grace whose spirits are calm and sedate, and not ruffled with any passion. 2. After Abram's humble self-denying condescensions to Lot for the preserving of peace. It was then that God came to him with this token of his favour. Note, God will abundantly make up in spiritual peace what we lose for the preservation of neighbourly peace. When Abram had willingly offered Lot one-half of his right, God came, and confirmed the whole to him. 3. After he had lost the comfortable society of his kinsman, by whose departure his hands were weakened and his heart was saddened, then God came to him with these good words and comfortable words. Note, Communion with God may, at any time, serve to make up the want of conversation with our friends; when our relations are separated from us, yet God is not. 4. After Lot had chosen that pleasant fruitful vale, and had gone to take possession of it, lest Abram should be tempted to envy him and to repent that he had given him the choice, God comes to him, and assures him that what he had should remain to him and his heirs for ever; so that, though Lot perhaps had the better land, yet Abram had the better title. Lot had the paradise, such as it was, but Abram had the promise; and the event soon made it appear that, however it seemed now, Abram had really the better part. See Job 22:20. God owned Abram after his strife with Lot, as the churches owned Paul after his strife with Barnabas, Act 15:39, Act 15:40. II. The promises themselves with which God now comforted and enriched Abram. Two things he assures him of - a good land, and a numerous issue to enjoy it. 1. Here is the grant of a good land, a land famous above all lands, for it was to be the holy land, and Immanuel's land; this is the land here spoken of. (1.) God here shows Abram the land, as he had promised (Gen 12:1), and afterwards he showed it to Moses from the top of Pisgah. Lot had lifted up his eyes and beheld the plain of Jordan (Gen 13:10), and he had gone to enjoy what he saw: "Come," says God to Abram, "now lift thou up thy eyes, and look, and see thy own." Note, That which God has to show us is infinitely better and more desirable than any thing that the world has to offer our view. The prospects of an eye of faith are much more rich and beautiful than those of an eye of sense. Those for whom the heavenly Canaan is designed in the other world have sometimes, by faith, a comfortable prospect of it in their present state; for we look at the things that are not seen, as real, though distant. (2.) He secures this land to him and his seed for ever (Gen 13:15): To thee will I give it; and again (Gen 13:17) I will give it unto thee; every repetition of the promise is a ratification of it. To thee and thy seed, not to Lot and his seed; they were not to have their inheritance in this land, and therefore Providence so ordered it that Lot should be separated from Abram first, and then the grant should be confirmed to him and his seed. Thus God often brings good out of evil, and makes men's sins and follies subservient to his own wise and holy counsels. To thee and thy seed - to thee to sojourn in as a stranger, to thy seed to dwell and rule in as proprietors. To thee, that is, to thy seed. The granting of it to him and his for ever intimates that it was typical of the heavenly Canaan, which is given to the spiritual seed of Abram for ever, Heb 11:14. (3.) He gives him livery and seisin of it, though it was a reversion: "Arise, walk through the land, Gen 13:17. Enter, and take possession, survey the parcels, and it will appear better than upon a distant prospect." Note, God is willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his covenant, and the inestimable worth of covenant blessings. Go, walk about Sion, Psa 48:12. 2. Here is the promise of a numerous issue to replenish this good land, so that it should never be lost for want of heirs (Gen 13:16): I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, that is, "They shall increase incredibly, and, take them altogether, they shall be such a great multitude as no man can number." They were so in Solomon's time, Kg1 4:20, Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude. This God here gives him the promise of. Note, The same God that provides the inheritance provides the heirs. He that has prepared the holy land prepares the holy seed; he that gives glory gives grace to make meet for glory. Lastly, We are told what Abram did when God had thus confirmed the promise to him, Gen 13:18. 1. He removed his tent. God bade him walk through the land, that is, "Do not think of fixing in it, but expect to be always unsettled, and walking through it to a better Canaan:" in compliance with God's will herein, he removes his tent, confirming himself to the condition of a pilgrim. 2. He built there an altar, in token of his thankfulness to God for the kind visit he had paid him. Note, When God meets us with gracious promises, he expects that we should attend him with our humble praises.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:14-17 Abram could give Lot the choice land because he believed in God’s promise. Abram waited for God to give him the land; Lot just took what he wanted.
Genesis 13:14
God Renews the Promise to Abram
13But the men of Sodom were wicked, sinning greatly against the LORD.14After Lot had departed, the LORD said to Abram, “Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are, and look to the north and south and east and west, 15for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Through the Bible) Exodus 1-5
By Chuck Smith1.8K1:23:21ExpositionalGEN 50:26EXO 2:15EXO 4:1EXO 4:10In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is not just a passive observer of our struggles and suffering. He takes action to deliver His people from their hardships. The preacher also highlights the importance of not getting too attached to material possessions, as they can easily be taken away. Instead, our focus should be on the things of the Spirit and God's eternal kingdom. The sermon references the story of Moses and the Israelites in Egypt, where they faced oppression and hardship, but ultimately God delivered them.
Yosemite Bible Conference 1991-11 Posessing Your Possessions Gen 13:14
By William MacDonald1.2K29:23PossessionsGEN 13:14JOS 1:1PSA 37:4MAT 6:33ROM 8:1EPH 1:3HEB 10:14In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of possessing our possessions in the journey of faith. He starts by highlighting the vastness of God's promises and blessings available to us in the Bible. He references Genesis 13:14, where God tells Abram that all the land he sees is given to him and his descendants, but they must walk through it and make it their own. The speaker then moves on to Joshua 1:1-9, where God instructs Joshua to be strong and courageous in leading the people into the promised land. He emphasizes the need to meditate on God's word day and night and to observe and obey it in order to prosper and have success. The speaker concludes by reminding the audience that there is still much land to be possessed and challenges them to make these truths their own in practical, everyday living.
The Deed to the Land
By Chuck Smith1.1K48:01Christian LifeGEN 12:1GEN 13:14GEN 15:17DEU 32:49ISA 11:11ISA 60:10In this sermon, the speaker addresses the misconceptions and sensationalism surrounding the United States and Israel. He compares the portrayal of America in the media to the reality of the country, emphasizing that there are problems but also positive aspects that are often overlooked. The speaker then delves into the biblical basis for Israel's ownership of the land, referencing verses from Genesis and Deuteronomy. He also touches on the fear that arose after September 11th but encourages the audience to overcome it and seek a broader understanding of the situation.
Pursuing Your Treasure - Part 1
By K.P. Yohannan90613:29American DreamGEN 12:1GEN 13:9GEN 13:11GEN 13:14PSA 42:1PSA 73:25MAT 6:33In this sermon, Brother K. P. O'Hannon emphasizes the importance of pursuing Christ above all else. He references Psalm 42:1, where the Psalmist expresses a deep longing for God, highlighting the temporary nature of worldly pursuits. The speaker also shares the story of Abraham and Lot, illustrating the contrasting outcomes of their choices. While Lot pursued his own dreams and desires, Abraham chose to prioritize his relationship with God. The sermon concludes with a reminder that God has a plan for our lives, even after failures, and encourages listeners to seek Christ and His kingdom above all else.
Climbing Mountains
By Don Courville74827:12FaithGEN 13:14NUM 13:30NUM 14:24MAT 6:33In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Caleb from the Bible and his determination to conquer the mountain that God had promised him. The preacher highlights six reasons why Caleb did not fail in his mission. These reasons include Caleb's dependence on God rather than human wisdom, his lack of fear or discouragement in the face of giants, and his unwavering focus on the Lord. The preacher also emphasizes the importance of not doubting God's love and encourages believers to have a vision and pursue it with faith.
Abraham Friend of God - Back From Rebellion to Communion
By J. Glyn Owen39642:49AbrahamGEN 13:14In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Abram's return from rebellion and his desire to live in communion with God. Abram had previously gone down to Egypt out of fear of famine, but now he is returning to the land God had called him to. The preacher emphasizes the importance of removing any troublemakers or distractions from our lives in order to hear God's voice clearly. He also highlights the need for solitude in order to experience God's presence and guidance. The sermon references several Bible verses, including Genesis 13, which tells the story of Abram's return, and other passages that emphasize the forgiveness of sins and the invitation for communion with God.
Genesis 13:14
By Chuck Smith0God's PromisesFaithGEN 13:14PSA 121:1ISA 40:31MAT 6:33JHN 10:10ROM 8:182CO 4:17EPH 3:20PHP 4:19HEB 11:1Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of faith in the face of trials, as demonstrated by Abraham's experience after parting with Lot. He encourages believers to 'lift up their eyes' and look beyond their immediate circumstances, reminding them that God speaks even in difficult times. By looking from their current situation, they can see the abundant promises of God in all directions. Smith asserts that the 'look of faith' should lead to a 'walk of faith,' where believers claim the promises of God and live in the fullness of His glory.
Oneness With God in a Crisis Regarding the Natural Man
By T. Austin-Sparks0Spiritual PilgrimageConflict with the Natural ManGEN 12:1GEN 13:14EXO 12:38EXO 15:13ISA 41:8ROM 6:6GAL 2:20T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the spiritual pilgrimage of the Christian life, illustrating that the journey begins with a decisive separation from the world and progresses into a deeper conflict with the natural man within. He highlights Abraham's journey, where the initial call to leave his homeland leads to a new battle against the remnants of the old life, represented by Lot. The sermon stresses that true oneness with God requires not only leaving the world behind but also confronting and overcoming the natural self that clings to us. Sparks uses the story of Lot to illustrate the dangers of allowing the natural man to hinder spiritual progress, ultimately calling for a crisis of separation to fully embrace God's purpose. The message concludes with a call for self-examination and surrender to God’s will.
God Delights to Give
By C.H. Spurgeon0PeaceGod's BlessingsGEN 13:14C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that God delights in giving blessings to those who pursue peace, as demonstrated by Abram's generous actions towards Lot. By resolving family disputes and seeking harmony, Abram received God's promise of land and blessings for himself and his descendants. Spurgeon encourages believers to deny themselves for the sake of peace, assuring them that God will abundantly reward such sacrifices. He highlights that through faith, we can claim the boundless blessings that belong to us as heirs of God's covenant. Ultimately, when we align ourselves with God's ways, we can see all things as ours in Christ.
Abraham's Altar
By Keith Malcomson0GEN 12:7GEN 13:6GEN 13:10GEN 13:14ROM 4:12ROM 6:6EPH 4:22COL 3:92PE 2:7Keith Malcomson preaches on the significance of the altar in the life of Abraham, emphasizing the importance of personal consecration, prayer, and obedience to God's call. The altar symbolizes a life of prayer and seeking after God, as seen in Abraham's journey of faith and separation from the world. Through Abraham's example, believers are encouraged to make decisions, face trials, and live a separated life guided by prayer and dependence on God.
A New Year Meditation
By Andrew Murray0Listening to GodRenewalGEN 13:14PRO 3:5JAS 1:5Andrew Murray emphasizes the significance of starting the New Year with a renewed commitment to God, drawing lessons from Abram's life. He encourages believers to listen attentively for God's voice, recognizing that true consecration involves a humble acknowledgment of our need for divine guidance. Murray warns against the common failure of Christians who neglect to seek God's direction, urging them to cultivate an open heart and mind for revelation. The sermon highlights that genuine dedication to God leads to a deeper understanding of His will and a reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
The Lust of the Eye
By John Henry Jowett0GEN 13:10GEN 13:14PSA 37:4PRO 16:7MAT 6:33John Henry Jowett contrasts the choices of Lot and Abram in Genesis 13:10-18, highlighting Lot's worldly perspective focused on material gain and self-interest, leading him to overlook the sinful city of Sodom, which ultimately brought his downfall. In contrast, Abram's calm and God-centered approach prioritized peace and fellowship over personal gain, leading him to experience God's blessings and companionship along the unselfish path.
A Pilgrimage to Secure Boundaries
By Jack Hayford0GEN 13:14PSA 113:1PSA 119:165EZK 37:9ZEC 12:10ZEC 14:16MAT 9:37JHN 8:32EPH 6:181TH 5:16Jack Hayford shares about a pilgrimage to Israel where a prayer team engaged in prophetic prayer, building altars at the North, South, East, and West boundaries of the nation. Each altar represented key issues to be proclaimed over the land, applicable to all believers. The Altar of TRUTH in the South focused on honoring the Word and seeking freedom through truth. The Altar of LIFE in the East prayed for an outpouring of the Spirit and revelation of Jesus. The Altar of WORSHIP in the North interceded for true worship to invoke grace and break spiritual drought, while the Altar of PRAISE in the West praised for breakthrough and expansion of God's mission.
Receive All He Has for You
By Charles E. Cowman0GEN 13:14PSA 37:4LUK 22:13EPH 3:20PHP 4:19Charles E. Cowman preaches about the power of faith and vision, using the example of Abraham being promised all the land he could see. He emphasizes that all that we long to be and do for God is within the realm of faith and God's promises. By opening our souls to the Holy Spirit and embracing His presence, we can claim all the provisions of God's grace and fulfill the desires He places in our hearts.
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
The Lord said unto Abram - It is very likely that the angel of the covenant appeared to Abram in open day, when he could take a distinct view of the length and the breadth of this good land. The revelation made Gen 15:5, was evidently made in the night; for then he was called to number the stars, which could not be seen but in the night season: here he is called on to number the dust of the earth, Gen 13:16, which could not be seen but in the day-light.
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
After Lot's departure, Jehovah repeated to Abram (by a mental, inward assurance, as we may infer from the fact that אמר "said" is not accompanied by ויּרא "he appeared") His promise that He would give the land to him and to his seed in its whole extent, northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward, and would make his seed innumerable like the dust of the earth. From this we may see that the separation of Lot was in accordance with the will of God, as Lot had no share in the promise of God; though God afterwards saved him from destruction for Abram's sake. The possession of the land is promised עולם עד "for ever." The promise of God is unchangeable. As the seed of Abraham was to exist before God for ever, so Canaan was to be its everlasting possession. But this applied not to the lineal posterity of Abram, to his seed according to the flesh, but to the true spiritual seed, which embraced the promise in faith, and held it in a pure believing heart. The promise, therefore, neither precluded the expulsion of the unbelieving seed from the land of Canaan, nor guarantees to existing Jews a return to the earthly Palestine after their conversion to Christ. For as Calvin justly says, "quam terra in saeculum promittitur, non simpliciter notatur perpetuitas; sed quae finem accepit in Christo." Through Christ the promise has been exalted from its temporal form to its true essence; through Him the whole earth becomes Canaan (vid., Gen 17:8). That Abram might appropriate this renewed and now more fully expanded promise, Jehovah directed him to walk through the land in the length of it and the breadth of it. In doing this he came in his "tenting," i.e., his wandering through the land, to Hebron, where he settled by the terebinth of the Amorite Mamre (Gen 14:13), and built an altar to Jehovah. The term ישׁב (set himself, settled down, sat, dwelt) denotes that Abram made this place the central point of his subsequent stay in Canaan (cf. Gen 14:13; Gen 18:1, and Gen 23). On Hebron, see Gen 23:2.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Lift up now thine eyes . . . all the land which thou seest--So extensive a survey of the country, in all directions, can be obtained from no other point in the neighborhood; and those plains and hills, then lying desolate before the eyes of the solitary patriarch, were to be peopled with a mighty nation "like the dust of the earth in number," as they were in Solomon's time (Kg1 4:20).
John Gill Bible Commentary
And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him,.... The Lord appeared unto him as he had before, and with an articulate voice spoke unto him, to comfort him upon the separation of his kinsman from him, and to renew the grant of the land of Canaan to him and his seed, and to assure him, that though Lot had chosen the most delightful and fruitful part of the country, yet it should not be an inheritance to him and his posterity, but the whole land should be Abraham's and his seed's. Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art; being upon Mount Ephraim, between Bethel and Hai, see Gen 12:8; from whence his view of the land might be extended very far: northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward; the north of the land of Canaan was Mount Lebanon, the south of it Edom or Idumea, the east the plain and river of Jordan, the west the Mediterranean sea; and the word for "westward" here is "to the sea" (c); northward of it was Babylon, southward Egypt, eastward Arabia, and westward the Mediterranean sea. (c) "et ad mare", Montanus, Schmidt.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
We have here an account of a gracious visit which God paid to Abram, to confirm the promise to him and his. Observe, I. When it was that God renewed and ratified the promise: After that Lot was separated from him, that is, 1. After the quarrel was over; for those are best prepared for the visits of divine grace whose spirits are calm and sedate, and not ruffled with any passion. 2. After Abram's humble self-denying condescensions to Lot for the preserving of peace. It was then that God came to him with this token of his favour. Note, God will abundantly make up in spiritual peace what we lose for the preservation of neighbourly peace. When Abram had willingly offered Lot one-half of his right, God came, and confirmed the whole to him. 3. After he had lost the comfortable society of his kinsman, by whose departure his hands were weakened and his heart was saddened, then God came to him with these good words and comfortable words. Note, Communion with God may, at any time, serve to make up the want of conversation with our friends; when our relations are separated from us, yet God is not. 4. After Lot had chosen that pleasant fruitful vale, and had gone to take possession of it, lest Abram should be tempted to envy him and to repent that he had given him the choice, God comes to him, and assures him that what he had should remain to him and his heirs for ever; so that, though Lot perhaps had the better land, yet Abram had the better title. Lot had the paradise, such as it was, but Abram had the promise; and the event soon made it appear that, however it seemed now, Abram had really the better part. See Job 22:20. God owned Abram after his strife with Lot, as the churches owned Paul after his strife with Barnabas, Act 15:39, Act 15:40. II. The promises themselves with which God now comforted and enriched Abram. Two things he assures him of - a good land, and a numerous issue to enjoy it. 1. Here is the grant of a good land, a land famous above all lands, for it was to be the holy land, and Immanuel's land; this is the land here spoken of. (1.) God here shows Abram the land, as he had promised (Gen 12:1), and afterwards he showed it to Moses from the top of Pisgah. Lot had lifted up his eyes and beheld the plain of Jordan (Gen 13:10), and he had gone to enjoy what he saw: "Come," says God to Abram, "now lift thou up thy eyes, and look, and see thy own." Note, That which God has to show us is infinitely better and more desirable than any thing that the world has to offer our view. The prospects of an eye of faith are much more rich and beautiful than those of an eye of sense. Those for whom the heavenly Canaan is designed in the other world have sometimes, by faith, a comfortable prospect of it in their present state; for we look at the things that are not seen, as real, though distant. (2.) He secures this land to him and his seed for ever (Gen 13:15): To thee will I give it; and again (Gen 13:17) I will give it unto thee; every repetition of the promise is a ratification of it. To thee and thy seed, not to Lot and his seed; they were not to have their inheritance in this land, and therefore Providence so ordered it that Lot should be separated from Abram first, and then the grant should be confirmed to him and his seed. Thus God often brings good out of evil, and makes men's sins and follies subservient to his own wise and holy counsels. To thee and thy seed - to thee to sojourn in as a stranger, to thy seed to dwell and rule in as proprietors. To thee, that is, to thy seed. The granting of it to him and his for ever intimates that it was typical of the heavenly Canaan, which is given to the spiritual seed of Abram for ever, Heb 11:14. (3.) He gives him livery and seisin of it, though it was a reversion: "Arise, walk through the land, Gen 13:17. Enter, and take possession, survey the parcels, and it will appear better than upon a distant prospect." Note, God is willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his covenant, and the inestimable worth of covenant blessings. Go, walk about Sion, Psa 48:12. 2. Here is the promise of a numerous issue to replenish this good land, so that it should never be lost for want of heirs (Gen 13:16): I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth, that is, "They shall increase incredibly, and, take them altogether, they shall be such a great multitude as no man can number." They were so in Solomon's time, Kg1 4:20, Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude. This God here gives him the promise of. Note, The same God that provides the inheritance provides the heirs. He that has prepared the holy land prepares the holy seed; he that gives glory gives grace to make meet for glory. Lastly, We are told what Abram did when God had thus confirmed the promise to him, Gen 13:18. 1. He removed his tent. God bade him walk through the land, that is, "Do not think of fixing in it, but expect to be always unsettled, and walking through it to a better Canaan:" in compliance with God's will herein, he removes his tent, confirming himself to the condition of a pilgrim. 2. He built there an altar, in token of his thankfulness to God for the kind visit he had paid him. Note, When God meets us with gracious promises, he expects that we should attend him with our humble praises.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
13:14-17 Abram could give Lot the choice land because he believed in God’s promise. Abram waited for God to give him the land; Lot just took what he wanted.