A STUDY IN GENESIS
Take a moment and read chapter 13. This chapter has a few hidden treasures we need to dig into.
First, we come to an area of scripture that should settle an argument that we hear on a daily basis. I am not here to talk about the Roman Empire rule, the Ottoman Empire subjugation, the British Empire mandates, neither the United States international declarations. When it comes to Israel’s land, it was settled thousands of years ago. There are two unique lessons that need to be addressed. We will first start with the easier of the two. God gave the land to Abram and his children through Isaac and Jacob. Chapter 13 makes this very clear. We now enter a series of events that bring about more than just Abram but others in his family, Genesis 13:17 “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” God is not forced to listen to some unprincipled United Nations, nor is He held to any corrupt international criminal court. He is the God who makes nations and brings them down, and as for Israel, they are an eternal living example of God’s grace and mercy with you and I.
Now we come to the second aspect of the chapter that we need to study, Lot’s decision making and the historical comments made. First, let us examine what historical comments are made. Chapter 13 brings up topics to the reader with the idea that they would be very conscious of the interaction God would have had with those people and cities, Genesis 13:10 “Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere--this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah--like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar.” Moses, who is the author of Genesis, indicates something rather remarkable, the events of Sodom and Gomorrah were well known to the reader. This means the passive comments provide legitimacy to the upcoming accounts of what happen. This proves God’s Word is not only accurate, but in most cases literal.
Secondly, a close examination reveals the character of Abram and Lot. Abram is wanting peace, he is calling on the name of the Lord. Lot is looking at what places will make him “rich.” The decision making process is in error. Instead of shunning himself away from the sin, Lot decides to live in it. The result, as we will find out, is horrible. Examine Proverbs 7 and you can see that the foolish man is out walking in areas that the evil woman is known to be. He dances the line while not crossing into sin but entertains the idea, and with sudden stupidity he fails. This in theme/principle is what has happened to Lot. We should flee and run from sin, for it is what condemns men to an eternal separation from God.
I believe Genesis 13 helps establish something else we need to understand. Genesis 13 follows the mistakes of chapter 12. Abram had made a mistake, and was now following the Lord as he should be. Is this your story? Do you have moments that you fail and think God is done with you? Thankfully, Abram did not. In fact, when he failed he did the one thing you and I should do as well when we fail. Abram ran back to where he was with God. Genesis 13:3-4 “And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD.” We must do the same. When we fail, run back to the Lord. His promises will endure to us as well. He does not change. This chapter reveals a redemption story in itself. God forgives Abram and then blesses him. This blessing is still valid today. This does not mean that God will protect you from learning a hard lesson. There are two saved men in chapter 13. Abram does what is right, but Lot, who is also saved, chooses wrong. I think it can be safely said that as Christians, we need to be more like Abram who was not perfect, but acting out his faith and being centered on Christ and not as Lot who would later need an angelic evacuation.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
JL