Abram and Lot had been existing together, in close proximity.
But now their herds were too large, and conflict was happening between their herdsmen.
Genesis 13:8-9
8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren.
9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”
Abram is the elder, the uncle.
He could have chosen the land he wanted instead of deferring to Lot.
But Abram was generous and wanted peace.
He gave Lot the choice, to choose any land and Abram would go elsewhere.
Abram valued peace over personal gain.
In the following verses, Lot looks at the land and chooses what he thinks will be best.
We know that Lot makes a poor choice and ends up living in Sodom, a very wicked city.
Peter says that Lot was distressed by the sin there.
On the other hand, Abram trusted God.
He knew God was with him and would bless him.
He could afford to be generous to Lot, because God was on his side.
How are we making our decisions?
Do we base our decisions on our faith in the Lord?
Knowing that He is with us and blessing us?
Do we go to God in prayer and ask His guidance?
How are we dealing with others?
Are we humble and generous?
Do we defer to others to be good to them?
We should be trusting God.
Praying to the Lord and studying His word to know the correct action in each circumstance.
Don't make big decisions without God.
They will almost certainly go wrong, just as they did for Lot.
Comentários