Genesis 13

Genesis 13:1

13:1-4 Underlying Abram’s return to Bethel . . . from Egypt was a return to fellowship with God. “Back to Bethel” is the rallying cry for all who have wandered from the Lord.

Genesis 13:5

3. Experiences with Lot and Abimelech (13:514:24)13:5-13 The herdsmen of Lot and Abram quarreled over pastureland for their flocks. In true courtesy, kindness, and unselfishness, Abram offered Lot his choice of all the land. In lowliness of mind, he esteemed others better than himself (Phi_2:3). Lot chose the lush pastures of the Jordan Valley, adjacent to the sin-cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Though a true believer (2Pe_2:7-8), Lot was a world-borderer. As someone has said, “he got grass for his cattle while Abram got grace for his children” (vv. 15, 16). The fact that the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD didn’t restrain Lot in his choice. Notice the steps in his plunge into worldliness: He (his men) experienced strife (v. 7); he saw (v. 10); he chose (v. 11); he pitched his tent toward (v. 12); he resided away from the place where God’s priest was (Gen_14:12); he sat in the gate, the place of political power (Gen_19:1). He became a local official in Sodom. 13:14-18 Abram renounced the choicest pastureland, but God gave all the land of Canaan to him and to his descendants forever. In addition, the Lord promised him an innumerable posterity. After settling in Hebron, Abram . . . built his third altar . . . to the LORDalways an altar for God, but never a house for himself! Notice that God instructed Abram to walk throughout the land and see his possession. So we are to appropriate God’s promises by faith.