Genesis Chapter 13: Abram and Lot

Last chapter Abram left Egypt with his wife, belongings, Lot (his nephew) and great wealth.  Abram and Lot were so wealthy at this point with livestock, silver, and gold that they had to split up. Later, the scripture tells us that there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot.  This is when Abram offered Lot a choice of the land of his choosing.

Genesis 13:6 “And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together.”

Genesis 13:9 “Is not the whole land before you?  Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or to the right, then I will go to the left.”

Lot had spotted valley of the Jordan where it was well watered and a great spot for his herds.  So Lot went eastward and Abram settled in the land of Canaan.  Once Lot left, God spoke to Abram.

Genesis 13:14-15 “The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.”

What spoke to me in this chapter is Abram’s attitude.  So far he has gone where God wanted him to go and has been blessed tremendously!  Even when Abram and Lot’s holdings caused them to split.  The scripture talks about Lot choosing an area that I imagine to be lush, green, and teaming with resources presumably near a water source (River Jordan).  Lot took what seemed to be the best land for himself.  I like the fact that Abram accepted his decision, avoided strife, and above all built an alter to God.