Bible Study - Relationships Collide - Stand Doan - Geneisis 13:1-18 - October 27, 2013

Bible Study – Relationships Collide – Stand Down – October 27, 2013

This is lesson three in our series entitled “When Relationships Collide: Thriving in the Midst of Conflict.”

Our scripture is Genesis 13:1-18.                

Do we need to get our way to resolve a conflict? Conflict raises its head most often among siblings when their parent’s estate is settled. There is often some item or items that two or more desire. If there is enough to go around then that settles it but when there is one item or one set, it could be a problem. Some families have split apart because of haggling over sentimental or valuable items.

In our scripture a situation arose between Abram and his nephew Lot. Both had become very wealthy and had large herds or flocks of animals. Traveling together meant their livestock competed for the same grass, water and shade. Both had herdsmen who took care of their livestock. These herdsmen tried to get the best pasture for their animals. Abram saw that there was potential for trouble between their hired help which in turn could spill over into fracturing the relationship between Abram and Lot. Abram saw his relationship with Lot more valuable than fussing over grazing rights. So he came up with a proposal.

Abram was the leader and had seniority over Lot. Would Abram pull rank on Lot? What can we learn from this situation? How can it be applied to situations which come up in our lives?

Let’s read Genesis 13:1-18: (The Threat – Having it My Way)

1 Then Abram went up from Egypt to the • Negev —he, his wife, and all he had, and Lot with him. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. 3 He went by stages from the Negev to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been, 4 to the site where he had built the altar. And Abram called on the name of • Yahweh there. 5 Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents. 6 But the land was unable to support them as long as they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they could not stay together, 7 and there was quarreling between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land.

Abram, whose name was later changed by GOD to Abraham (Abraham means “father of a multitude”), means “the exalted father.” Abram was called by GOD to leave his home land of Ur to go to a land that GOD would show him. It took great faith in GOD for Abram to respond. Abram was born about 2160 B.C. His father was Terah who was a descendant of Shem, the son of Noah. It is interesting that GOD called Abram when he was 70 years old.

Abram left Ur with his wife, Sarah, his father, Terah, and his nephew, Lot. Abram went to Haran first and when Terah died, GOD renewed HIS call to Abram and he left for the land of Canaan. While in Canaan a famine occurred and Abram went to Egypt. In Egypt Abram attempted to deceive Pharaoh by saying that his wife Sarah was his sister. He did this because he was afraid that he might be killed because Sarah was so beautiful and in order for Sarah to become one of Pharaoh’s wives. This was not a blatant lie because Sarah was Abraham’s half sister. Once the deception was out in the open, Pharaoh gave things to Abram and sent him and his group away. So Abram and his entourage left Egypt and returned to Canaan. The scripture tells us that he returned in stages. It was like he was looking for the exact stop for him to settle down. He returned to Bethel area, which is near present day Jerusalem and is the place that he first settled, built an altar and worshipped GOD. Our scripture picks up at this point.

Abram and Lot left Egypt with much stuff or “to a great degree” bordering on an over abundance of material positions – cattle, flocks, gold and silver. As such, grazing became a bone of contention between Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen. Plus they were in the same area as the Canaanites and the Perizzites. Something or someone had to give.

Since Abram was the Patriarch he could have pulled rank and told Lot what he had to do. But getting our way is not always the best solution. GOD is the GOD of wisdom. When Abram returned he called upon the name of Yahweh. Yahweh is the personal covenant name of GOD. To call upon the name of GOD carries the idea of praise, acknowledging, proclaiming and worshipping. It confirms the reality of GOD in a person’s life.

When Abram first came to that area, he returned to the altar he had first built and worshipped GOD. It was like Abram had wandered but returned to recommit himself to GOD and GOD’S plan and purpose for his life. GOD leads HIS chosen to the exact place where HE wants them to worship and serve HIM. It is the spot where they can grow Spiritually and obediently serve HIM.

Christians search for the right church today and when they find it, there is a peace within. It does not necessarily mean that they will always remain in that location but that location will likely always have a special place in their hearts.

The beauty of the Bible is that it tells it like it is. Abram was not perfect. In Egypt, he tried to hide the fact that Sarah was his sister. As stated earlier, that was not a blatant lie because Sarah was his half sister. But never-the-less he was trying to save his life using Sarah. Yet, GOD counted Abram’s faith in HIM as righteousness.

So what was Abram’s solution to the problem?

Let’s read Genesis 13:8-13: (The Solution – Agreeing to Your Way)

8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Please, let’s not have quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, since we are relatives. 9 Isn’t the whole land before you? Separate from me: if you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.” 10 Lot looked out and saw that the entire Jordan Valley as far as Zoar was well watered everywhere like the Lord’s garden and the land of Egypt. This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. 11 So Lot chose the entire Jordan Valley for himself. Then Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other. 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot lived in the cities of the valley and set up his tent near Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were evil, sinning greatly against the Lord.

Abram defined the problem and the solution. The solution was a choice and Abram gave Lot first choice. Abram regarded their relationship and family unity more important than getting his way. This reveals Abram’s heart. First, he trusted GOD to lead, guide, direct and provide for him regardless of the direction he went in. It also revealed Abram’s leadership and peacemaking abilities.

Lot chose the lush, well watered, fertile area of the Jordan valley. The Jordan Valley is a strip of fertile land three to fourteen miles wide and about seventy miles long. It runs from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea. Lot chose on the basis of appearance or possibly for selfish reasons. It is likely that Lot left feeling self sufficient and in his ability to outdo his Uncle Abram.

Abram went the other way depending upon GOD and HIS leadership to take care of him and his family. This reveals the faith Abram had in GOD but to me the greatest demonstration of his faith was yet to be tested when GOD told him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.  When you let the other person choose, when one choice appears to be better than the other, it reveals his or her heart. We know from later history that Lot was drawn to the life of glamour. He established his home near Sodom and Gomorrah before GOD destroyed them. Many of those who lived in Sodom pushed evil to the max.

America, we need to pay attention. When GOD’S tolerance and grace runs out and HE releases HIS wrath, it is catastrophic.

“Our life choices can move us toward either the wickedness of sin or the righteousness of the Lord.” - Quote from Herschel Hobbs Commentary, Fall 2013, page 96, LifeWay Press, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0175

Let’s read Genesis 13:14-18: (The Blessing – Trusting God’s Way)

14 After Lot had separated from him, the Lord said to Abram, “Look from the place where you are. Look north and south, east and west, 15 for I will give you and your • offspring forever all the land that you see. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Get up and walk around the land, through its length and width, for I will give it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his tent and went to live near the oaks of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the Lord.

After Lot left, GOD spoke to Abram. GOD made a covenant and HE did not make the covenant promise with Abram until Lot made his choice and left. GOD’S promised covenant to Abram was revealed.  Abram did not ask for it or expect it. GOD chose the moment and Abram was in the exact spot GOD wanted him to be in both physically and Spiritually. This was the third time GOD had told him the promise HE made to him.  GOD’S covenant to Abram was:

“Look from the place where you are. Look north and south, east and west, 15 for I will give you and your • offspring forever all the land that you see. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust of the earth, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Get up and walk around the land, through its length and width, for I will give it to you.”

Abram responded to GOD’S message by relocating his tent near the oaks of Mamre at Hebron. Mamre comes from a word that means “grazing land.” It was also an area known for a large number of oak trees. Notice Abram did not question GOD but he responded by worshipping GOD at the first altar he built when he arrived in the land to which GOD had led him. This revealed Abram’s heart of trust, commitment to GOD and willingness to be fully obedient to HIM.

Abram put his faith into action and GOD reconfirmed HIS promised covenant to HIM. Abram took GOD with him as he traveled and built an altar. GOD to Abram was not confined to one place but everywhere.

Christians are to obediently serve GOD through CHRIST where ever they are. We, as Christians, must keep in mind that we may be the only Bible others may be exposed to. We must put our relationship to GOD through CHRIST into action as we encounter life. We don’t have to get our way to solve a conflict. How we solve a conflict often reflects our Spiritual growth and maturity. Blessings!!!