Notes THE SEPARATION OF ABRAHAM FROM LOT GENESIS CHAPTER THIRTEEN. For we walk by faith, not by sight: -2 Corinthians 5:7

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1 THE SEPARATION OF ABRAHAM FROM LOT GENESIS CHAPTER THIRTEEN Verses Key For we walk by faith, not by sight: -2 Corinthians 5:7 I. The Return (vs. 1-4) A. Abram and his family leaves the Land of Egypt at Pharaoh s Command (v.1) B. Abram is now a man of great wealth. NOTE: This is the first time in the Word of God that you find the word rich, and notice that the riches mentioned here will become a source of trouble for Abram. It is not a sin to be rich, but with riches comes trouble. (I Timothy 6:6-10) The root of the problem is not riches themselves but the love of those riches that cause destruction. Lot s decision was one of financial gain not spiritual worth. C. Abram returns to the place (the mountain on the east of Bethel which is called Mt. Ephraim) where he was before his lapse of faith. (See 13:8) NOTE: It s always good to return to the place of worship, thanksgiving, and obedience. II. The Ruckus (vs. 5-13) A. Riches Have Caused Much Misery/Dissention between Brethren (vs. 5-7). 1

2 1. The Strife was due to increased wealth -- Not even the Promised Land can bear the unequaled yoke of flesh and spirit. 2. The Strife was between the Herdsmen and over their possessions. 3. Strife between Christians is a poor Testimony to the unsaved. Ps 133:1 «A Song of degrees of David.» Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Galatians 5:14, 15 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Pr 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling. Pr 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat. I Corinthians 3: 1-4, And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For 2

3 while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? B. Lot s Fatal, Worldly Choice and Move to Sodom (vs. 8-13). 1. Abram gives Lot first choice (vs. 8-9). Abram forfeits his own right and gives Lot his choice. 2. Lot s Choice (by sight) and Departure from Abram (vs ). a. The well-watered plains of Sodom may have been a good place to raise cattle, but a mighty poor place to raise children. b. This is basically Lot s downfall. So far, his association with God s man has been a blessing and his separation proves a curse. QUOTE: James Smith from Eerdsman s 1947 Handfuls on Purpose writes this about the incident: He [Lot] looked for the best and chose it, and never said Thank you. He separated himself from the man of faith with a light heart. Worldly Christians do not set much value on the fellowship of a holy man. His mind was set on earthly prosperity, not on heavenly things. He pitched his tent (no altar) toward Sodom, and was burned out of it himself, saved as by fire. c. Lot s choice based on sight rather than faith. 1) Notice that the Bible says that Lot lifted up his eyes. 2) Lot chose what looked good. 3

4 3) Lot saw and desired and this caused him to make a foolish choice. This choice seemed to be a wise business deal to the carnal man, but it proved to be the decision that would cost him everything 4) This is why it is important to always look at things through the eyes of faith before you make a decision. Because the decisions me make may cost you more than what you are willing to pay. NOTE: It is through our eyes, many times, that Satan tempts. (1 John 2:16) 1. The Woman SAW and desired before she sinned (Genesis 3:6) 2. Achan SAW the spoils before he took them (Joshua 7:21) 3. Lot SAW and desired before he wrongfully chose the way of the ungodly. d. Lot s choice was selfish - took the best and left the rest. Also, he took all the well watered plain. Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. NOTE: How did Lot know that the plain of Sodom resembled the land of Egypt? He had been there! Who took him there? 4

5 Abram! Often an older Christian leads a younger one into worldly circles that give him a taste for a life of compromise. III. The Reassurance (vs ) A. God s Promise to Abram (vs ). (Lot s choice was limited while Abram s was in every direction: NORTH, SOUTH, EAST AND WEST). B. Abram s Earthly Seed as the Dust of the Ground (v. 16) They would be IN-NUMBERABLE (see 15:5, the Stars of Heaven, the Spiritual Seed). C. The Walk of Faith (v. 17) for I will give it unto thee. Future Tense D. Abram Moves to Hebron and Builds an Altar unto the Lord (v. 18). (1) The Best Business deal may not be so in the end. (2) The well watered plains of Jordan may imitate the good of this world -- yet, it isn t for the Christian. (3) When we allow God to choose for us, our portion is not only greater but also more secure. (4) God s Promises are sure. AMEN! NOTE: Abraham is quite the altar builder. In just two chapters he has built 3 altars: 1. In the plain of Moreh (Genesis 12:7) 2. Between Bethel & Hai (Genesis 12:8) o Abram returns back to this altar in Genesis 13:3, Hebron on the plain of Mamre (Genesis 13:18) 5

6 Abram understood how important his walk with the Lord was! While Lot put the emphasis on the physical, Abram put the emphasis on the spiritual. 6