Verse 1/4: Getting out of the trough - regaining the original faith
After Abram experienced the incident in Egypt, he left Egypt with everything and returned to Bethel and Ai A place in the middle of the city, where they live. He experienced an underestimation of faith in Egypt, but with God's protection, he experienced God's grace. When he came back, he built an altar to get close to God (altars were the main way to get close to God during the patriarchal period) and restored his faith. So when facing what happens next, let us see Abram's confidence.
Faith requires us to continually experience God’s grace, making us stronger and more dependent on God. However, many times, when people enter a trough or weakness, they often get lost and fall into weakness. Because people focus on the surrounding environment and ignore the God who is more powerful than the environment. Because God is with you.
Verse 5/13: The choice of lust—towards destruction
Abram and Lot’s inheritance was very large. Even when they were tending livestock, they both The servants of men fight against each other. Not only that, but where they lived there were also Canaanites and Perizzites (descendants of Canaan) living there. Therefore, Abram and Lot's servants began to quarrel and fight over the livestock.
At this time, Abram took the initiative to reconcile the relationship with Lot, because they were only close relatives, that is, Abram valued family harmony far more than wealth. So Abram's decision was to let Lot leave him. Genesis 13:9. Is not all the earth before your eyes? Please leave me: if you turn to the left, I will turn to the right; if you turn to the right, I will turn to the left. "For the sake of harmonious relations, Abram humbled himself in front of his nephew and let Lot choose the land first. It also shows us that Abram has faith in God.
At this time, Lot Lot began to look around, and chose the Jordan River plain to the east. The Bible describes the beauty of the plain, and it was fertile land. There were cities in that place and the economy was developed. Genesis 13:10. Lot raised his eyes and saw the entire Jordan River. The plain was moist as far as Zoar. The land was like the garden of the Lord before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, and it was like the land of Egypt. Lot's choice seemed very good, but it was for himself. The future will bring great troubles, even catastrophic. The Bible shows us that the east is a place of sin (for example, Cain left for the east, and the result was great sin and destruction). The same is true for Lot's choice, because deep within the place he chose were the sinful places of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18/19), which also foreshadowed man's rebellion and desire to return to Egypt and get there. Good things, just get the blessings in front of you. So Lot and Abram separated.
Verse 14/18: The perspective of faith - seeing God’s blessings
When Lot. After leaving, God spoke to Abram, and God actively invited Abram to look and see the place God had prepared for him (15. Lift up your eyes...see, 17. Get up... ..go). Only those who truly rely on and look up to God will have God reveal His blessings in front of him. Therefore, the place where God blessed Abram will be revealed in front of him, and this land is also God’s. The land reserved for his descendants was fully revealed to Abram. God promised Abram's descendants here Genesis 13:16, "I will also make your descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth, if anyone can." Only by counting the dust of the earth can you number your descendants. The descendants here refer to the descendants of flesh and blood, and the other is the descendants of faith. Abram fully believed in God's promise and set out in accordance with God's command. He came. Near the oak tree of Mamre in Hebron, where to live, build an altar, and give thanks to God
Summary:
Choice is something we constantly have to experience today, but how to choose is very important. Important. Many times we choose the same thing as Lot. We choose whatever we think is good. We need to know that when Abraham was experiencing the trough of faith, Lot was also experiencing God’s blessing and grace. Lot was there when Abram was establishing a relationship with God and seeking God. However, Lot was not affected in any way. Instead, he was self-centered and focused on his own interests. Abram suffered a loss and did not choose the best land, but God's blessings are great and eternal. He gave greater blessings and grace to Abram.
Today God still has greater blessings and grace. Let us choose the path of eternal life in the future or the path of destruction in the future? What source do we choose to rely on? May we build an altar and seek God’s will through the Bible. With my eyes, I can see the even greater glory in the future, living for the Lord.