7. THE SEPARATION OF ABRAM AND LOT

"Lo, the smoke of the country went up as a furnace."

Aim

To show that Abram was faithful and Lot was foolish.

Abram and Lot had travelled through the land of Canaan but because of famine they continued on to Egypt in the south. There they lived for a time (Genesis 12:10). On their return, they pitched their tents between Bethel and Hai. Both were now very rich in "cattle, silver and gold*. Genesis 13; 19:1-30 and 21; 2 Peter 2:6-8

ABRAM AND LOT DECIDE TO PART: Genesis 13:3-10

When Abram and Lot returned from Egypt, they faced real problems. Their herds and flock had increased and they needed more pasture but "the land was not able to bear them that they might dwell together " (v. 6). It was not long before the herdsmen of Abram and Lot quarrelled. Abram could see that the only thing for them to do was to go their separate ways. God had promised the land as a possession to Abram's children - "unto thy seed will I give this land" (12:7) € but he would not use this promise as a cause of quarrelling between him and Lot. So Abram gave Lot the opportunity to choose whichever part of the land he wanted to dwell in saying: "Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself I pray thee from me ... And Lot lifted up his eyes and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere" (w. 9-10). He saw the beautiful stretch of country before him and he was impressed. So Lot made his choice. It seemed so obvious to choose the green pastures near the Jordan. Life would surely be much easier down there. He said goodbye to Abram and set off to the east.

Abram was content. As a true pilgrim looking for the glorious Kingdom of God, he was satisfied with whatever God gave him. Everyday he called upon "the name of the LORD" (v. 4), knowing that He would provide for him.

Note how different Abram's attitude was from Lot's. Lot desired the things that appealed to the eyes, but Abram put his trust in God, who blessed him greatly. The Lord Jesus teaches us this lesson plainly: "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

THE CHOICE OF LOT AND THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM: Genesis 13:11-13; 19:1-29

Lot made his choice and finally went to live in the city of Sodom. "But the men of Sodom were sinners before the LORD exceedingly" (v. 13). It was unwise of him to choose to live among such evil people. No doubt he thought he could live separately from them and we know that he always hated their evil ways (2 Peter 2:7-8). But although Lot himself never behaved like the people of Sodom, they were a bad influence on his family. His wife and children soon became friendly with the people of Sodom. Some of his daughters even married men of Sodom. When, later on, the angels of God came to bring them out before God destroyed the whole place, none of Lot's family wanted to leave. They had grown to love the people and the way of life and had quite forgotten the great promises that Abram trusted in.

But God did punish all the wicked people in Sodom by destroying the city and its inhabitants with earthquake and fire. God "rained ... brimstone and fire from heaven" and the cities were "turned into ashes" (2 Peter 2:6). Two angels visited Abram and told him what God was going to do to Sodom. Abram was fearful for Lot and prayed for him and God was merciful. Lot's wife could also have been saved but they had been told not to look behind them as they ran from Sodom and she disobeyed. She found it hard to leave the worldly life of Sodom and the friends she had made there and she was punished by being turned into a pillar of salt. It is a very foolish thing to disregard what God says we ought to do. Those who treat God's Word lightly always end up being unhappy, but great happiness comes to those who obey.

THE CHOICE OF ABRAM: Genesis 13:14-17

God was pleased with the unselfishness and faith shown by Abram. Now He made a further wonderful promise to him. Read Genesis 13:14-17 "Lift up now thine eyes," said God, "and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: for all the land which thou seest to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever." Remember our last lesson. We found out then that Abram did not inherit any of this land while he lived. However the promise of God still stands. The land belongs to Abram and his seed for an everlasting possession (Romans 4:13). Abram is now dead. But Jesus (who is the seed of Abram) will return, and will raise the dead and reward the faithful. At that time Abram will receive his inheritance, together with all those who have shown the same faith as Abram (Galatians 3:29).

THE SON OF PROMISE - ISAAC: Genesis 17:15-22; 21:1-5

When Abram received this promise, he did not have any children. Both he and Sarai were growing old and because it seemed to Sarai that she was not going to have any children, she thought Abram might have a son if he married Hagar, her bondmaid. So Hagar was given to Abram as his wife, and eventually gave birth to a son, called Ishmael. He was not to be the promised seed of Abram, however, for God said Sarai would bear Abram a son, named Isaac, (which means "laugh ter", or "joy") (v. 19). Sarai's name would be changed to Sarah and Abram's name to Abraham € "for a father of many nations have I made thee" (w. 5,15). Abraham was 100 years old and Sarah ten years younger when at long last she gave birth to the promised son.

Many years had passed since leaving Ur before the promised son was born. The faith of Abraham and Sarah brushed aside the problems they met. To them God was real and He did not disappoint them. In the son born to them, they could see another step in the fulfilment of God's promise.

They knew that from Isaac would come the promised seed through whom all nations of the earth would be blessed (v.18).

LESSON FOR US

What a wonderful promise God has made! He has promised that people can become heirs with Abraham of eternal life upon this earth. Let us look forward to the great change which will take place upon the earth when the Lord Jesus Christ returns. Then Abraham and all those who have been baptised into Christ and have lived faithfully will inherit the world together with them.

Remember too Lot's mistake in choosing what looked easy and good to him, but was very evil, and nearly cost him his life. Evil companions turn us from the ways of God and make us evil (see Psalm 119:63). Rather let us be like Abraham, who trusted in God to care for him and provide what was necessary.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

THE SEED PROMISED

Consider the promises to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 and Genesis 13:14-17. They were made not only to Abraham but also to his SEED or son. God had promised Abraham a particular seed. Through a long line of descendants we can trace the family of Abraham to Jesus Christ many years later (Matthew 1:1). "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made: He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ" (Galatians 3:16). We can belong to Abraham's family by being joined to Jesus Christ through baptism. "For as many of you as have been baptised into Christ, have put on Christ ... and if ye be Christ's then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Galatians 3:29).

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

1. Why did the herdsmen of Abram and Lot quarrel?

2. Where did Lot choose to go?

3. Where did Abram choose to live?

4. Why was God pleased with Abram?

5. What were the men of Sodom like?

6. How did God punish the people of Sodom?

7. God promised Abram the land of Canaan. When will Abram live forever in the promised land?

8. Who is the seed promised to Abraham?

9. What does the name Abraham mean?

10.Who was the son promised to Abraham and Sarah and what does his name mean?

Detailed Answers

1. Why did Lot leave Abram to live in a different part of the land?

2. Lot went to live in Sodom after he separated from Abram. Tell what happened to him and to the rest of the people in the city. What lessons do we learn from this?

3. Abram pleased God and because of his faith, received great promises. What was the promise God made to Abram after he had separated from Lot?

4. Abraham had two sons. Which son of Abraham was the "son of promise" and why?

Additional Answers

5. God made Abram a great promise, when Lot separated from Abram and went to Sodom,. What was the promise? Explain how and when this will be fulfilled.

6. How can we share in the same promises made to Abram?