Background Scripture: Genesis 12-13
Lesson Context: Abraham-known as Abram in today’s lesson-is a hero of faith (Hebrews 11:8-12). He is described that way not because he was perfect or sinless, but because by faith, he left his home when called to do so by God (Genesis 12:1). God’s covenant with Abram included promises of land, progeny, and blessing. The conversations between God and Abram that begin in Genesis 12 are instrumental in revealing the developments of a personal relationship between the two. But the text under consideration for today deals with a distraction detailed in Genesis 13:1-7. Abram had decided to take his nephew Lot on the journey to Canaan (Genesis 12:5), a decision that resulted in problem after problem. One such problem is the immediate context of today’s lesson. Thus their respective herds came into competition for a fixed set of resources. To prevent ant strife that could have endangered their herds, Abram suggested resolution predicated on their shared kinship. (KJV 2024-2025 International Sunday School Lessons)
l. Abraham’s Offer (Genesis 13:8-9):
A. To Avoid Arguing (v. 8). 8. “And Abraham said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen, for we be brethren.” Abraham’s petition was very affectionate. Abram here shows himself to be a man. (1) of a cool spirit, that had the command of his passion, and knew how to turn away wrath with a soft answer. Those that would keep the peace must never render railing for railing. (2) His plea for peace was very cogent. “Let there be no strife between me and thee, who have lived together and loved one another so long.” (Matthew Henry Bible Commentary)
B. To Avoid Crowding (v. 9). 9. “Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me if thou wilt take the left land, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” (1) Abraham concludes that they must part, and is very desirous that they should part friends. Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: What could be expressed more affectionately? He does not expel him, and force him away, but humbly desires to withdraw. (2) Abraham offers him a sufficient share of the land they were in. Though God had promised Abram to give this land to his seed (ch. 12:7), and it does not appear that ever such promises was made to Lot, which Abram might have insisted on, to the total exclusion of Lot, yet he allows him to come in partner with him, and tenders an equal share to one that had not an equal right, and will not make God’s promise to patronize his quarrel, nor, under protection of that, put any hardship on his kinsman. (3) Abraham gives him his choice, and offers to take up his leavings. (Matthew Henry Bible Commentary)
ll. Lot’s Choice (Genesis 13:10-13):
A. His Inspection (v. 10). “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest untoZoar.”
B. His Selection (v. 11). 11. “Then Lot chose all the plain of the Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.” Lot made his choice purely based on what he could see with his eyes. He cared only for the material abundance of the land, and cared nothing for how it would impact him and his family spiritually. Abram walked by faith, Lot walked only by sight. (David E. Gutz Bible Commentary)
C. His Destination (v. 12). 12. “Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.” It was only this far for now, but later Lot became a leader of this sinful city. Vauling only the things that can be seen increased his wealth temporarily, but Lot would eventually lose it all. (David E. Gutz Bible Commentary)
D. His Environment (v. 13). 13. “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.” Though all are sinners, yet some are greater sinners than others. The men of Sodom were sinners of the first magnitude, sinners before the Lord, that is, impudent daring sinners, they were so to a proverb. Hence we read of those that declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Isa. 3:9
lll. God’s Promises (Genesis 13:14-16):
A. Of Land (vv. 14-15). 14-15. “And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, 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 for ever.” God wanted to talk to Abram alone after Lot left. This was a promise made to Abram, not to Abram’s nephew. God also wanted to remind Abram that even though Abram had been generous enough to grant some of the land to his nephew Lot. God said the land belonged to Abram. (David E. Gutz Bible Commentary)