A Tale of Two Choices: Abram and Lot

March 16, 2025
Pastor Jack

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Genesis 13

Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that was with him. And Lot went with him to the Negev. Now Abram was very wealthy in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he went according to his journey from the Negev, then to Bethel, to the place where his tent was at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the beginning. And Abram called on the name of Yahweh there. And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. And the land could not support them so as to live together, because their possessions were so many that they were not able to live together. And there was a quarrel between the herdsmen of the livestock of Abram and the herdsmen of the livestock of Lot. Now at that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land. Then Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there not be quarreling between me and you, and between my shepherds and your shepherds, for we men are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you want what is on the left, then I will go right; if you want what is on the right, I will go left.” And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw the whole plain of the Jordan, that all of it was well-watered land—this was before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of Yahweh, like the land of Egypt in the direction of Zoar. So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan. And Lot journeyed eastward, and so they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot settled in the cities of the plain. And he pitched his tent toward Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were extremely wicked sinners against Yahweh. And Yahweh said to Abram after Lot had separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are to the north, and to the south, and to the east and to the west, for all the land which you see I will give to you, and to your descendants, forever. I will make your descendants like the dust of the earth which, if anyone were able to count the dust of the earth, your descendants would be so counted. Arise, go through the length of the land and through its breadth, for I will give it to you.” So Abram pitched his tent, and he came and settled at the oaks of Mamre, which were at Hebron. And there he built an altar to Yahweh.

Genesis 13:

Main Themes: Faith vs. Sight, Humility and Selflessness, God’s Promise and Blessing, Separation for Growth, The Consequences of Selfish Choices

Introduction:

Genesis 13 highlights Abram and Lot’s separation, revealing key themes: faith vs. sight, humility vs. self-interest, and God’s promise vs. personal gain. Abram, trusting God, allows Lot to choose first, while Lot, driven by what looks good, selects the fertile Jordan Valley. This passage challenges us to trust God’s provision and walk by faith, not sight.

Genesis 13:1–7 Returning to Worship & Renewed Conflict

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.

Summary: Abram returns from Egypt to Bethel, where he first built an altar to the Lord, restoring his focus on worship. As his and Lot’s wealth grows, their herdsmen begin to quarrel over limited land resources. This conflict reveals the challenge of prosperity and the need for wise resolution.

Discussion Questions:

  • The same Hebrew adjective (kāvēd) used in verse 2 was used last week in 12:10 to describe the famine. It can mean “heavy” as in burdensome or oppressive. It can also mean “heavy” as in an abundance of wealth.
    • The same word describes both hardship and blessing—why do you think this is significant?
    • When do blessings (wealth, success, comfort) become a burden? How can we ensure that we handle prosperity with faith and not let it weigh us down spiritually?
    • What feels “heavy” in your life right now—challenges or blessings? How can you respond in faith, as Abram did in Genesis 13:4 (returning to worship)?
  • Why do you think Abram returned to Bethel to worship? What does this say about his priorities?
  • Jack mentioned that Abram’s problems were typically “domestic” in nature. What do you think he meant by that? (hint: Internal Struggles with Fear and Trust (Genesis 12:10-20), Relational Conflict with Lot (Genesis 13:5-13))
    • How do we sometimes create our own struggles by acting out of fear, impatience, or self-reliance?

Genesis 13:8–13 A Choice Made by Sight

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. 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.

Summary: Abram seeks peace and gives Lot the first choice of land. Lot, seeing the lush Jordan Valley, chooses the land near Sodom, prioritizing material gain over spiritual wisdom. This decision foreshadows future trouble.

Discussion Questions:

  • What does Abram’s willingness to let Lot choose first reveal about his faith and character?
  • How does Lot’s decision reflect a focus on worldly gain rather than seeking God’s guidance?
  • Jack mentioned God’s footnote. What did he mean by that?
  • In what ways do we sometimes make decisions based on what looks good rather than what is best spiritually?

Genesis 13:14–18 God’s Promise Confirmed

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 of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.

Summary: After Lot departs, God speaks to Abram, reaffirming His promise to give him and his descendants the land. Abram responds in faith by moving to Hebron and building an altar to worship God.

Discussion Questions:

  • Why do you think God reaffirmed His promise after Lot left?
  • Jack mentioned the word “Na” in Genesis 13:14. What did he tell us that meant?
    • It does not imply a command but rather a gentle urging or invitation—God is encouraging Abram to look and take in the promise.
    • This comes after Lot left, emphasizing that Abram’s true portion is what God provides, not what he chooses for himself.
    • Why do you think God waited until after Lot left to reaffirm His promise?
    • How does God’s gentle invitation (“Lift up your eyes now”) contrast with how Lot chose his land?
    • How does this encourage us when we are waiting for God’s promises to unfold?
  • Lot is gone; it’s just Abram and Sarai (and his hired hands) left. What is God telling Abram?
  • God tells Abram to take a walk to see the land. What does Abram’s response (building an altar) show about his relationship with God?
  • How can we learn to trust God’s promises even when our circumstances seem uncertain?

Wrap it

“God shows up for us when we are at our worst.”

Abram is a man of faith that occasionally gets distracted - like in Egypt. But he returned “home” to God.

God comes to us and says I know you are living in the now, in the pain, the struggles, the hard times. But. here’s my promise. Take my hand.

Do you trust Him?

He offers peace, eternity, security but He asks us to trust Him, He never forces us.

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