Abram + Lot: Two Views of the World | Bob Wriedt | Genesis 13:1-18
What can a land dispute from 4,000 years ago teach us today? This week at Grace, we’re looking at Genesis 13—a chapter that’s easy to skip over but surprisingly relevant. When a conflict arises between Abram and Lot, Abram chooses humility and relationship over personal advantage. Lot, on the other hand, chooses by sight instead of faith. Sound familiar? As we explore this passage, we’ll see timeless lessons on leadership, decision-making, and the faithfulness of God. Join us as we hear the gospel through the quiet wisdom of Abram’s choices.
👉 Want to get more involved? Explore some of the ways you can connect with our community here: https://linktr.ee/gracesealbeach
Genesis 13:1-18 | Abram and Lot Separate
1 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.
2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. 5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, 6 so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, 7 and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.
8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.[a] 9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.
14 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks[b] of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord
REFLECTION
Lot makes the decision of which land he will take and where he will settle based upon what will help him accrue the most wealth rather than what is best for his soul. Evaluate your own life and circumstances, where is your life or who is your life intertwined with that is shaping your soul? Ask yourself as you evaluate, what kind of person will I be in five years as a result of my involvement with this community or situation?