Bible Study - Walking in Confidence (3) - Confidence in the Midst of Conflict - Genesis 13:5-11, 14-18 - October 31, 2021October

 

Bible Study – Walking in Confidence (3) -Confidence in the Midst of Conflict – October 31, 2021

This is lesson three in our series entitled, “Walking in Confidence.”

Our focus scripture is Genesis 13:5-11, 14-18.

Trust GOD when conflict disrupts your relationship.

GOD had chosen Abram and Abram had accepted GOD’S call. GOD was building the right relationship with Abram. In lesson one, we studied GOD’S call to Abram to travel to a land that GOD would show him and give to him and his descendants. After GOD had revealed to Abram the physical land that would belong to him and his descendants, he built an altar to YAWEH.

Abram, his family and those following along with Abram faced a food shortage and Abram made a decision to go to Egypt to find food. There is no evidence that Abram consulted GOD. He leaned upon his own understanding and told Sarai, his wife, to tell the Egyptians that she was his sister. Sarai was a beautiful woman and if the Egyptians knew Sarai was his wife, they would kill him and present Sarai to Pharaoh. Abram did not ask Sarai to tell a bold face lie because she was his half-sister. Both Abram and Sarai had the same father, Terah, but different mothers.

When we take matters into our own hands it often leads to complications. In last week’s study, we learned that Pharaoh gave Abram food, cattle and salves for him and his group to get out of Egypt. Why? Because GOD showed Abram and Pharaoh that HE was in charge of Abram and HE sent a plague that infected the Egyptians and not Abram’s group. Abram witnessed GOD’S protective hand over his group. (A learning experience, was Hagar one of the slaves Pharaoh gave to Abram’s group? Ponder this thought.)

When Abram returned to the land GOD promised to Abram and his descendants, Abram worshipped GOD. This reveals that Abram recognized and acknowledged that GOD was watching over him and his group.

As time goes along, both Abram and Lot’s earthly possessions, which included animals, grew to the point that their workers began quarreling over the grazing areas. Abram saw this as an issue that would lead to family members getting involved and causing problems between each other. When we observe a potential issue, it is best to nip it in the bud or early before it becomes an issue.  

This reveals Abram’s heart and the trust he had in GOD in the manner in which he handled the issue. Abram trusted GOD to take care of him and his group regardless of how he chose where to live and earn a living. This trust in GOD is reflected in Abram giving Lot first choice. The choices appeared to be no brainers as to which land would be the best for farming and raising animals. Let’s explore!

Let’s read Genesis 13:5-8:

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. This is an interesting insert. Often, when those who seek to divide and conquer see descensions, they use it as an opportunity to take control. In that day, it was vital that strong groups stick together as we will read later on.)

⁸ So 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. 

Abram saw harmony within the family to be a greater issue than keeping the family together. But maintaining the family bond was vital. Family ties are vital and offer the strongest bond when trouble comes along. This shows wisdom on Abram’s part.

Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from GOD. Wisdom is knowledge applied to GOD’S plan.

So, what was Abram’s solution? Let’s read on -----

Let’s read Genesis 13:9-11:

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 plain^[a] of the Jordan 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 plain of the Jordan for himself. Then Lot journeyed eastward, and they separated from each other.

Abram showed the land to Lot and asked Lot to choose. What does this reveal about Abram? Do you think Abram had built the right relationship with GOD such that Abram trusted GOD to meet his and his family’s needs, regardless of the condition of the land Lot chose for him and his family unit? Abram went over the options with Lot regarding the available land. Lot knew which land would be best for him and his family and group.

Lot’s choice also reveals the heart of Lot. Was Lot depending upon his skills as a farmer and herdsman to grow his business and feed his group? Plus, did Lot see the glitter and draw of the city, Sodom? 

Where we live can reflect our heart and Satan knows that and he uses that knowledge to entice us and lure us closer to that which will entangle us in sin.

Let’s read Genesis 13:12-18:

¹² Abram lived in the land of Canaan, but Lot lived in the cities on the plain and set up his tent near Sodom. ¹³ (Now the men of Sodom were evil, sinning immensely^[b] against the Lord.)

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^[c] 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.

GOD was pleased with the manner in which Abram handled the issue with Lot. Abram trusted GOD with his future. GOD made a promise to Abram. GOD saw that Abram was building trust in HIM and not depending upon his own ability or understanding.

GOD works in our lives the same way. But most often it is as we grow Spiritually through faith in JESUS. The Spirit-born life is a journey of allowing GOD, through the indwelling Holy Spirit lead, guide, and teach us to learn to trust GOD.

Yes, we will stump our toes as we walk but GOD allows us to do that to measure where we are on the trust curve.

JESUS taught HIS disciples on different occasions when they faced various issues in their walk with HIM. What did they learn when they were in a fierce storm in a boat? JESUS was asleep or walking on the water. Or when JESUS and HIS disciples approached a village as recorded in Luke 9:51-56:

⁵¹ When the days were coming to a close for him to be taken up, he determined^[m] to journey to Jerusalem. ⁵² He sent messengers ahead of himself, and on the way, they entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for him. ⁵³ But they did not welcome him, because he determined to journey to Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” ^[n]

⁵⁵ But he turned and rebuked them,^[o] 56 and they went to another village.

As Spirit-born people, the power GOD gives to us must be used responsibly and that comes with Spiritual maturity and being guided by the Holy Spirit. GOD has HIS plans and HIS chosen must stay in-step with HIM and HIS plans. We, as Spirit-born people are on a Spiritual learning curve and GOD knows that. What do we learn from our Spiritual mistakes? Do they draw us closer to GOD or shut us down? Satan desires for us to be shut down but GOD desires for us to learn from them and seek HIS guidance. May we learn from every experience, positive or negative.

Our journey with GOD through faith in JESUS is no different than Abram’s. We do have more to draw from than Abram did or the disciples of JESUS. The key is to never, ever give up but to seek and you will find. Why? It is because GOD never, ever gives up on you and neither did HE give up on Abram.

Blessings!!!