Background
In the years since God called Abram to leave his home in Ur of the Chaldees, and begin living a nomadic life in the promised land of Canaan both Abram and his nephew, Lot, had accumulated wealth, possessions and a large amount of livestock.
Part of this prosperity was due to a sojourn in Egypt (Genesis 12:10-13:1). The time in Egypt is a good reminder that Abram had great faith but was not a perfect man. Abram withheld information from Pharaoh and allowed Sarai to be taken into Pharaoh’s harem for his own protection. God preserved Sarai and despite Abram’s behavior God kept his promise and protected and blessed him. Because of God’s blessings Abram and Lot’s wealth and entourage seem to have increased greatly by the time they returned back to Canaan, after the famine.
This was not the first time Abram had been in Bethel which is north-west of the Dead Sea. Shechem and Bethel had been early stops years before when Abram begun his journey (Genesis 12:8). He had previously set up camp near Bethel and worshiped there by building an altar to God.
Quarreling Between the Herdsmen
The family set up tents in the area near the city of Hebron. Abram and his nephew, Lot, were very wealthy. They each had large flocks and herds, many herdsmen, households, servants, and tents. Every day the men in charge of the herds would lead them to places where they could eat grass and drink water.
But there was a problem. There was not enough grass and water for all of the animals. It was just too crowded. Abram’s herdsmen thought that Abram should have the best grass-land. Lot’s herdsmen thought that Lot should have the best grass-land. The herdsmen began to quarrel with one another. And, as if that wasn’t enough there were also other people living in the area too. Everyone wanted the best.
Abraham and his Generosity
Abram became worried that all of the quarrelling might lead to fighting. He decided that there was only one thing to do. He and Lot would have to live in separate places. Someone was going to have to choose another place to live. Abram was the older man and was the one who had led them out of their home country. It would have been all right for him to have whichever land he wanted. He could have chosen first and let Lot have whatever was left. But Abram did not choose first. Instead, Abram decided to let Lot choose first.
Lot Lifted up His Eyes
Lot saw that the plain of Jordan was well watered and parted ways with Abraham. Lot chose the direction toward Sodom, and pitched his tent near there.
God has Abraham to Lift up His Eyes
Abraham was content to stay in the land of Canaan. Faithfully waiting upon the Lord. Here is where God tells Abraham to life up his eyes and look all around because what was seen would be given to him and his descendants. God promises to make his ‘seed’ innumerable. Afterwards, Abraham moved his tent to the plain of Mamre (Hebron) and built an altar unto the Lord.
Glimpses into the Future
It is obvious that Lot was motivated to take the choice land for himself and throwing caution to the wind by pitching his tent near Sodom. It was a compromise in his faith to walk to closely to wickedness. When we compromise, it becomes easier and easier to excuse dangling in the midst of something we should have no part of.
By chapter 14, Lot is “living in Sodom.” It’s not completely clear why he has moved. Perhaps he has tired of tent life. Maybe he has seen the benefits of closer neighbors, or he seeks the ease of creating a thriving business.
By chapter 19, Lot is found “sitting in the gateway of the city.” Now this may seem like a trivial detail, but it isn’t. In Bible times, the gateway of a city served as an important meeting place. This was where significant business was transacted, court was convened, public announcements were made, and leaders could be found.
If Lot was at the gate, he was a leader. He was engaged in the business of the day, and he possibly held a civic position. So, Lot was not only in the city; he helped run it.
Lot’s movements weren’t merely physical, but also reflected his thought processes. Lot had become a “plain thinker.”
The Lord and two angels visited Abraham and revealed plans to destroy Sodom. Abraham bartered the Lord down to save the city if 10 righteous people could be found. Sodom was destroyed with the exception of Lot, his wife, and two daughters. But Lot’s wife looked back and turned to salt. Creeping compromise had devastating effects. There will be more detailed studies in the following chapters and this serves as a prelude to the coming narrative.
Commentary – By: Mark Finely
Genesis 13 begins with Abraham worshipping at an altar (verse 3) and it ends with Abraham worshipping at an altar.(verse 18) Although Abraham, in his humanness, exhibited a lack of faith when he was in Egypt, he did not give up his faith. He remained loyal to God. He had frailties like each one of us but his heart was committed to God. His mistakes did not discourage him to give up his faith and neither should ours. Abraham’s unbelief in Egypt led him to deeper dependence upon God at Bethel.
When a conflict arose over land and water rights, Abraham said to his nephew, Lot, “Please let there be no strife between me and you.” (Verse 8) He then graciously gave Lot the choice of the land he desired. Abraham unselfishly disadvantaged himself for the sake of peace. Lot chose what he believed was the best land bordering the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and it proved a disaster for his family. Abraham’s kind, giving spirit prepared him to receive God’s abundance. Heaven’s richest blessings flow to giving hearts.
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2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” AND 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”