Genesis 13 The Choice
Abram and company are back from Egypt. His nephew is with him, as are ALL their herds. Too much for one place. Abram gives Lot the choice as to where he wants to live. Abram will take what Lot doesn’t choose.
God was certainly blessing Abram. Lot was being blessed too though. Lot was not a babe in arms when they left Haran. He was a young man. While in Canaan and Egypt, Abram made sure that Lot was acquiring flocks, herds, servants, and wealth too. Abram wasn’t keeping everything for himself. BOTH men were VERY well off in possessions. Too many for one area to support them all.
As the elder, Abram could have insisted that Lot do as he told him. But Abram was gracious and gave Lot the choice of where he wanted to go. Over the next few days, we will see how Lot’s choice impacted him; and Abram.
Let’s rejoin Abram’s company and see what today has to offer us.
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Abram is glad to be back in the land of Canaan. He felt very ill at ease in the land of Egypt. Other than being afraid that he would be killed so another could have his wife, he was not sure where the uneasiness was coming from. He didn’t try to figure it out. He simply accepted that this land felt like “home.” It felt as if even the trees and the bushes welcomed him and provided him with a little extra shade as a way to demonstrate that welcome.
The drought is officially a thing of the past and the fields are surging with life. Abram’s own flocks are surging with life too as it feels like there is a new life added to them every day. Abram’s nephew Lot is also having great success with his flocks and herds.
When Abram, Sari, Lot and their company left Haran, Abram was tasked with teaching Lot how to manage and build his own household. This included training him in managing his flocks, servants, and money. Lot has listened attentively to his uncle and learned much over the last years. He has also prospered under his uncle’s hand. Abram ensured that Lot’s herds grew but dedicating a portion of his increase to his nephew’s livestock. Abram also appointed some of his trusted servants to be Lot’s men.
A few months after returning from Egypt, Abram decided it was time to make a clear distinction between the two households. He divided the herds and herdsmen. They worked well together when the resources were short from the drought. Abram was pleased by the way the two companies looked out for one another.
Both companies were happy to leave the hills once the valleys had fully recovered. Their numbers were making were trying their patients. Abram leads his company and Lot follows. They make their way back to the first place they had stayed for more than just a few nights. They came back to the hills outside of Bethel and Ai. It is filled with lush vegetation for the animals.
After two months in the new/old area, tensions begin to mount. Lot and Abram’s herdsmen are quarreling over who is allowed to water their flocks first and who will graze on which hill. The size of the companies have become so great that there isn’t really enough for both to meet all their needs.
“You had the east hill two days in a row. It’s out turn” demands Lot’s chief herdsman.
“You’ve nearly grazed the western slopes to the ground! You are supposed to move them throughout the day. Not let them stand round and destroy the grasses” admonishes Abram’s chief herdsman.
“Are you trying to tell me that I don’t know how to care for my own flocks?!”
“You don’t! If you did, we wouldn’t be in this predicament.”
“You are the one keeping the choicest fields to yourself. I wouldn’t have to overgraze if you would share.”
“Like you share the water? Always bringing your herds in first and letting them drink their fill, then fouling the stream by not moving them back to pasture. It’s a wonder any of the animals are still alive with that kind of management!”
This argument nearly comes to blows but they notice the onlookers. They are supposed to be the ones setting a good example for those under their command.
“You can have the western hill today, but we get to water our flock first” proposes Abram’s chief herdsman.
“Fine” says Lot’s herdsman. He steps a little closer and with venom in his words, whispers; “This isn’t over yet” to his counterpart.
All he gets in return is an angry glare and the back of Abram’s chief shepherd as he walks away. Their conflict though has set the tone for the rest of the interactions between the two groups. One claiming the other is ‘hoarding’, ‘spoiling’, or ‘wasting’ resources while the other is claiming ‘ineptitude’, ‘inexperience’ or ‘stupidity’ on the part of the other shepherds.
Afte a week of this, Abram has had enough. The chief herdsmen have been reporting their ‘concerns’ to their respective masters. He knows that this valley is not large enough to support both growing herds. He also knows that things will come to blows if he doesn’t do something about it; soon! The time has come to let Lot stand on his own two feet.
Abram goes to find Lot one evening. Since dividing the herds, Lot moved his tent closer to where his herdsmen were. He seldom dines at Abram’s table anymore. Abram finds Lot out in the field.
“Walk with me please” requests Abram.
Lot truly loves his uncle and would do anything for him, even though his camp seems to be warring with Abram’s. The two of them set off alone. In companiable silence, Abram leads Lot to a place where they both can see the land all around them.
“Lot, it is not good for our herdsmen to fight and argue.”
“No it’s not. But I don’t know how to stop it.”
“One thing is for certain. The land cannot support us both. Our herds are too large. ‘Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen’ (verse 8).”
“Where will I go uncle” asks Lot with trepidation in his voice.
“Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand then I will go to the right, of if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left” (verse 10).
Lot is hesitant to pick at first but Abram patiently waits him out. Lot looks around at the scene before him.
“I would like to go there” Lot points towards the valley with the towns in it. He likes the idea of having town near enough that he can get supplies as well as seeing how lush it is. “My flocks will have plenty of room” thinks Lot.
“Then it is settled” replies Abram. “We will pack tonight and see you safely on your way in the morning. We will move from this place in the opposite direction as well in a few days. We have done enough damage to this section.”
“Agreed” agrees Lot.
Abram’s servants helped Lot’s servants pack the household for travel. Even the two groups of herdsmen got along well enough to ensure that both herds were fully separated and in the right hands.
Lot share a final morning meal with Abram and Sari before setting off in the direction he chose. Sari and Abram stand on the same high place as Abram and Lot occupied the night before. They watch as Lot moves out with his company. Sari tires of this after a short while.
“I’m going to return to our tent my husband. I’m feeling fatigued.”
“I want to stay here a little longer. I will join you later my love” offers Abram.
Sari turns and heads back to the tent while Abram continues to watch Lot. He will be visible from this spot even when he reaches the place where he chooses to pitch his tents. In a few days, when Abram moves out too, Lot will finally be on his own.
As Abram looks on, the angel of the Lord appears beside him again.
“Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for ALL the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, you offspring also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you” (verses 14b-17).
Abram is awed by the words of the Lord. To think, even the portion Lot had just chosen was promised to him and his offspring. “My God KEEPS promising me offspring in VAST numbers. I would settle for one right now” thinks Abram. His heart desperately wants to cry out “WHEN” to the Lord, but he is afraid of angering Him. As HARD as it is, Abram has no choice but to wait for God’s promise to come true.
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God has given Abram the same promise at least three times so far. We don’t see Abram actually question God, not even on the timing of the answer. I can hear Abram thinking, “It better bee soon, because it’s almost too late. I’m no spring chicken!”
God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect. Abram had some more growing to do before he was ready for God’s promise to be fulfilled. As hard as it is at times, we often have to wait too. I have never been good at waiting. Right now I’m waiting on parts for my heat/air conditioner and for a lift system for my husband. I’m counting the days! I’m also checking in with those who have control over the timing of my pieces. I think I should ask the One who has ultimate timing for a hand here!
Father God, thank You for letting me come into Your story again today. Thank You for applying it to my life too. You know how waiting frustrates me. You also know how ‘counting down’ is part of my makeup. Help me wait. Also, help those whom I’m waiting on to find a ‘burst of speed for getting my items to me a little faster.
