Genesis 13: Letting God Choose.  

Having failed miserably in going to Egypt, Abram turns back to Bethel, a sadder and a wiser man. This is the way of repentance- turning back. Going back to where we got out of the will of God. Confessing – agreeing with God we have sinned- God cleanses us of all unrighteousness as we come to the altar.  

Gen. 13:1-4- “ So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. From Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier and where he had built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord.”  

First let’s make some observations about Abram and his walk of faith. In NT terms, Abram is a saved man. Saved by grace through faith. It was as a saved man, Abram drifted into Egypt- the world. It was as a saved man- Abram looked to the world for a solution to his problem rather than to the Lord. It was as a saved man- Abram lied and deceived. It was as a saved man- Abram’s witness was compromised to not only the Pharaoh and the Egyptians but to his nephew Lot.  

But Abram has done the only thing we can do when we mess up.. when we mess up- we have to ‘fess up’.  We have to turn around from the direction we were headed in and go back to Bethel- the House of God.  

This a part of the spiritual journey of the Christian. We make wrong decisions- we disobey God, we sin- we lean to our own understanding and not trust the Lord with all our heart and in all of our ways acknowledge Him. But we serve a  God who is most often described as our Heavenly Father. A Father who has all knowledge- so He is truly the Father who knows best. One of the characteristics I love the most about Our Father is this one:  He is able to work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to HIS purpose. And His Purpose is to conform us to the image of His Son. We have been justified- we are on our way to being glorified – but in between we  are in the process of being sanctified.  

Abram went down into Egypt as a saved man. Now he has emerged a spiritual man. God will use this humiliating experience for good to conform Abram. Abram will become not only a saved man – but a spiritual man.  There are three things that characterize a spiritual person.

1. Separation:  If Egypt is a picture of the world, and Abram had drifted into the world- he must separate himself from the world. Thus Abram went up out of Egypt. As Christians we are to be separated from the world- the godless society and culture that lures us and wants to conform us. A spiritual person is in the world but not of the world. This is biblical separation. We cannot go and stay at the same time. Abram’s view of the world is symbolized by the fact he never lived in anything but a tent.
2. Sanctification.  The second characteristic of a spiritual person. Sanctification is the other side of the coin of separation. We are to be separated from the world- but separated or set apart for God. We will soon witness how these changes affect the way Abram resolves problems, and makes choices.
3. The third mark of the spiritual person is sacrifice. Notice when Abram came back to Bethel not only did he pitch his tent- which symbolized his separation from the world, he built an altar where sacrifices are made. His tent said I am not looking to settle down in this world, his altar said I am looking to the next world – to a city whose builder and architect is God. Also by confessing his sins- Abram was keeping the communication lines with God open.

So now having been given this information and Abram, no doubt, promising himself (as we all do) that he would never cross that line again- that he would never get out of the will of God again- let’s see how Abram reacts and responds to the next test. Because having learned a truth and principle- God will always bring into our lives a test to see if we learned the truth and principle and can apply it by faith.  

Watch what happens next as we bring the focus of the story back on Lot. Lot represents the carnal man- Abram represents the spiritual man.  

Lot is a picture of a carnal believer who depends upon the faith of those around them, in Lot’s case it was Uncle Abram. Remember what happened on 911?  Churches were filled on Wednesday night prayer service like it was Easter Sunday. On television- you were seeing national broadcasters asking Franklin Graham to pray for the nation and asking questions about God. Fearful circumstances led carnal believers to depend on those who were perceived as strong in faith to call upon God for help.  As soon as the urgency and panic of the situation left- the world returned to normal. God was put back behind the glass cage- that we, as a nation and a people could break again in case of emergency.  

Lot did not lean on the Lord- he leaned on Abram who was learning to lean on the Lord.  But as we have just read- leaning on anyone beside the Lord will sooner or later lead to a fall- because only the Lord will never fail us. Humans- no matter how mature and strong in their faith, will fail.  

Lot leaned on Abram in business.  Let’s see what happens next as their joint partnership begins to grow.  

In verse 6 &7- we read their possessions grew so  great they were not able to stay together. And quarrelling arose between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and the Perizzites were also living in the land. 

These verses reveal some important information:  Notice as their possessions grew as their wealth grew- they were unable to stay together.  Have you not seen and heard of marriages that fell apart as their wealth and possessions grew?  Huge, luxury homes a sign of wealth are up for sale sometimes represent a family no longer able to stay together under one roof.  Brothers and sisters divided- not speaking and suing one another over the division of wealth and property of  parents. It happens all the time.  

Here is a partnership and a family business. When it was smaller- we read of no strife. As they become larger- there is arguments and strife over pasture land more than likely.  Conventional wisdom has always said the most difficult ship to keep afloat is a partner- ship.   

As Christians we should avoid being yoked in a business with a non-believer for the obvious reason we see the purpose of business from two different perspectives. But equally valid is the danger of a spiritual person in partnership with a carnal person- for they will have two different views.  

Abram as the more spiritual-the stronger in faith has a different reason for being in business- it is to bring Glory to God and to advance His work.  

Not so with Lot. Success and prosperity mean raising his standard of living- a bigger house- no tents for him; nicer things for the wife and daughters.  

One other important piece of information in this account- ‘ the Canaanites and Perizzites were living in the land also. Where ever strife looms  between believers- the enemies of the Lord are ready to take advantage.  

And who is our greatest enemy, next to Satan?  Our flesh- or old nature. Some of the most bitter fights are between Christians in the same church. Jealousy, envy, unforgiving spirits, bitterness and strife cause friendships to end- churches to split and it breaks the heart of God- not to mention how it weakens the fellowship and witness of the church. 

Here we see the more mature, spiritual believer- Abram takes the initiative. He takes action for two reasons- one is implied- we have enemies present and watching who will take advantage of our division and strife.  Secondly- let us not argue and fight between your herdsmen and mine- because we are family, kinsmen, brothers. What hurts one- hurts the other. We are a part of the same body. How can a house divided against itself stand?  

Abram also knows the power of a soft answer to turn away wrath. As the older of the two- as the one who has cared for Lot- Abram should have had first choice. But Abram surrenders his rights- he does not demand his rights. Like the Lord Jesus in the Garden- not my will but Thy Will Father.  

Abram says to Lot – you choose. If you go to the left- I will go to the right. And visa-versa.  In doing so- Abram is in essence letting God choose for him.  When we are willing to yield our rights- when we are willing to go last instead of first- the Lord tells us in the end the last will be first. Abram had learned how to sacrifice. Spurgeon said-“ It takes more grace than I can tell, to play the second fiddle well.”

The world would think Abram had the right as the senior of the two- he was probably more the reason for their success than Lot. But Abram was not thinking like the world- he was a tent dwelling- altar building man of God who was separated from the world and unto God.  

Observe and learn from Lot’s decision making process what NOT to do:  Lot looked up and saw the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt toward Zoar. Lot looks at the physical- the visual and makes a decision not on faith but by appearances. And even more telling – he likes the look of Sodom because it reminds him of Egypt, the world, which held great lure to Lot, the carnal man. What appeals to a carnal person?  Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life.  

Something else we observe in the life of Lot that is absent.  Abram had a tent – but he also had an altar. We read- ‘Now, Lot who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.’ No altar. No sacrifice, no devotion, no quiet time, no period of waiting and no record of Lot calling on the name of the Lord for anything, much less an important decision.  

We know from what we will read later on- Lot has a family- a wife and daughters. Does he consider in his choice - is this a good place to raise children?  His only considerations were wordly- it is well watered and it is like Egypt. Lot enjoyed his journey into the world.  

When you and I are weak in our devotions and time spent on our knees – we will end up worldly in our desires. And when we are both weak in our devotions and worldly in our desires – the result is going to be wrong decisions.  

Now here is the verse that is the most telling . 

“So Lot chose for himself and the two men parted company.”  He pitched his tent toward Sodom…sliding toward Sodom a place that represents the epitome of sin.  

Neither Abram nor Lot knew what was going to happen to Sodom and Gomorrah- but because Abram was keeping in touch with God – he was divinely kept from making the wrong decision.   Many is the time – when we do not know what to do – we wait on the Lord and in doing so we let God choose for us.  

Abram lived on the plains in the land of Canaan and Lot lived among the cities of the plain.  Abram maintains his simple life style away from the world- Lot moves right into the middle of it.   

Not only did God divinely restrain Abram from making a wrong choice; God reassures Abram that he has made the right choice.  

Whereas, Lot lifted his eyes and looked upon the lures of the world and chose for himself. As a carnal man, Lot had not learned that things are not what they seem. The things that are seen are temporary- but those things unseen are eternal. We are to put our eyes on the eternal and unseen- not the seen and temporary.  Now God lifts Abram’s eyes up and tells him to look to the north, the south, the east and the west. God tells Abram all he sees will be his and his offsprings’. Then God tells Abram to go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.  Good things come to those who wait on the Lord.  

Remember- symbolically the land of Canaan is the land of God’s promises. It represents the spirit filled life. God is telling Abram and us- that all of the spirit filled life is there for us by faith when we walk in the Spirit. This is the abundant life that Jesus spoke of in John 10:10.   

Paul prayed in Ephesians 3- that we could grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know(experience) this love that surpasses knowledge that we might be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. ( note the word – fullness) 

Abram moved his tents to a place near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron. Do you know what Mamre means?  Fatness. A soul that is filled full with the fullness of God. The fullness of His supply and provision that His Son, the Lord Jesus came to give us- life and life more abundantly.  

Hebron means fellowship. It is in fellowship with God where we experience fullness. An altar of sacrifice and obedience is always a part of the fellowship.  

SUMMARY.  

Our lesson today in the journey of faith involves making right decisions. Learning how to depend of God- Jehovah Jireh, who has promised to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. How do we choose right?  Often the choice is black and white…we know right from wrong. Lying, adultery, stealing, murder, etc.  Shouldn’t be a question there- what about other areas that are not as clear- are not as black and white? How can I go about making right decisions? We can base our decisions on the Word of God, on His promises, principles and truths.  

First you must be familiar with them- study to show thyself approved. Let me give you some scripture and a question you can ask yourself that will help guide you in your decision making process. 

Ephesians 5: 15-17 tells us:  “Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of God is.” 

So here is the question to ask :   What is the wise thing to do? 

What is the wise thing to do in light of my past experience?

What is the wise thing to do in light of my present circumstances?

What is the wise thing to do in light of my future goals?  

Look what Abram did- based on his past experience- leaning to his own understanding he had compromised his witness and ended up in a mess. In light of his present circumstances- trouble between Lot and himself which could further compromise his witness and in light of his future goal- which was to trust God to provide- he waited on the Lord and put Lot’s interest before his own.   ( My experience 1977.) 

The questions we sometimes ask when making choices are not ‘what is the wise thing’ but more of a variety of – is there anything wrong with this?’  Kind of like asking how far can I go before it is officially sin or illegal.  

You might be thinking I am not under the law,right?  All my sins, past, present and future are forgiven right?  This reasoning usually leads to rationalization I can do this- because of my forgiven state and the grace of God. However, we know there are consequences to sin- even though those sins are forgiven.  

If anyone understood grace and forgiveness and the law it was the Apostle Paul. Listen to his approach- but first understand what is meant by the law in the Bible.  

There are three areas of Law mentioned in the OT 

Ceremonial law- done away and fulfilled in the sacrifice of Lord Jesus. Not under ceremonial law which dealt with temple sacrifices, diet and special days.

Civil law- the law that governs men in their actions toward one another. Usually finds its basis in the Ten Commandments. Enforced by government. Subject to change as man changes his value system to reflect an increasingly godless society.(Abortion.) ( Eagle’s egg) Break the civil law and you risk penalties imposed by the government.

Moral law- Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, soul, mind with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself. On this all the commandments ( 10 Commandments are based) 

Moral laws were given by God to guide our behavior to show us how we ought to live. But none can gain salvation by keeping the moral laws- because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. They serve as a measuring stick to show we are unable to attain salvation by keeping the law. The Lord Jesus is the only one who lived without sin- and became sin for us. By faith in His Finished Work at Calvary- God imputes His righteousness to all who believe.  

One other area to discuss- is some of the laws we read in the OT seem harsh- they condone stoning of adulterers, etc. What are we to make of those?  These are difficult to understand- but these are the laws of Theocratic Government. A theocracy ( a word coined by Josephus) is a government whose head is God. A perfect God who has all wisdom and is just can administer that type of punishment- but we are not under a theocracy- we are not a nation under the law of God. Israel rejected the rule of God’s law and asked for a king to rule over them. Then when Jesus came and presented himself as the Messiah-he was rejected by Israel- thus the laws under a theocracy cannot be enforced by man only by a just God- which we see in the Millenium- the Lord Jesus will rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords and he will reign with a rod of iron- justice and judgment will be swift and sure.  

So here is what Paul writes: 

“ Everything is permissible for me- but not everything is beneficial.” (I Cor.6:12) As a forgiven sinner- I can sin and not lose my salvation.  But is it beneficial ?there will be negative consequences ( sowing and reaping principle); will it become habit forming?- is it harmful to your body?- will it damage your witness? will it cause a weaker brother to fall? Is it constructive? Will it become my master? 
 

Many a person have robbed themselves of their preferred future by unwise decisions made in the present or past- when they did not consider what is the wise thing to do in light of :

My past experiences.

My present circumstances

My future goals.  

Have you not noticed something? You don’t have to sit around looking for reasons to do the right thing, do you?  It is the bad decisions that require creative reasoning.