Gênesis 13
John Phillips · Citado em PreceptAustin
Gênesis 13
Phillips - Abram had skirted the world once. Now he put distance between himself and Egypt by getting back to Bethel, the house of God, and re-establishing his pilgrim character. He pitched his tent at Bethel and restored fellowship with God.....Years ago a woman wanted a new coachman. She advertised and before long had three applicants, to each of whom she put the same question. “You know that steep hill just outside town and that narrow spot where the road drops away to a gully? How close could you drive my coach to the edge without losing your nerve?” The first man said, “Madam, if the wheels of the coach came within six inches of the edge I would feel quite safe.” The second coachman said, “Madam, I reckon even if one of the wheels went clean over the edge I could hold those horses and recover the coach without harm.” It was the third coachman who secured the job. “Madam,” he said, “I would keep that coach as far away from that gully as I possibly could.” That is what sanctification is all about. It is not trying to get as close to the world as possible without losing one’s testimony, it is keeping as far away from it as we can by keeping close to Christ. (BORROW Exploring Genesis) John Henry Jowett - THE PERILS OF POSSESSIONS Genesis 13:1-9. THERE is nothing more divisive than wealth. As families grow rich their members frequently become alienated. It is rarely, indeed, that love increases with the increase of riches. Luxurious possessions appear to be a forcing-bed in which the seeds of sleeping vices waken into strength. For one thing, selfishness is often quickened with success. Plenty, as well as penury, can “freeze the genial currents of the soul.” And with selfishness comes a whole brood of mean and petty dispositions. Envy comes with it, and jealousy, and a morbid sensitiveness which readily leaps into strife. So do our possessions multiply our temptations. So does the bright day “bring forth the adder.” So do we need extra defences when “fortune smiles upon us.” But our God can make us proof against “the fiery darts” of success. Abram remained unscathed in “the garish day.” The Lord delivered him from “the destruction that wasteth at noonday.” His wealth increased, but it was not allowed to force itself between his soul and God. In the midst of all his prosperity, he dwelt in “the secret place of the Most High,” and he abode in “the shadow of the Almighty.” Adrian Rogers - The Cure for Faltering Faith (from his sermon on What to do When Your Faith Falters on page 550) Now, let me go, finally, to the third and final point of this message very quickly. What was the cure for his faltering faith? What did God do? Now, remember that God was patient with Abram. Abram was an old man physically, but was a young man in the faith. And so God didn’t flunk him out of the school of faith; God just re-enrolled him. God seems to keep giving the lessons so we can pass. So look in Genesis chapter 13, if you will. Three very quick things: A. Repentance First of all, there was repentance. Look in Genesis 13:1: “And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.” (Genesis 13:1) First of all, repentance. He got out of where he was and should not have been; he forsook Egypt. He could not have remained in Egypt and gotten right with God at the same time. And I’m glad he did forsake Egypt. I’ve told you perhaps a hundred times: The most miserable man in the world is not an unsaved man. The most miserable man in the world is a saved man out of fellowship with God. He forsook Egypt. That’s repentance. B. Remembrance But not only repentance; there was remembrance. Look, if you will, in Genesis 13:2-3: “And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai.” (Genesis 13:2–3) Hai means “a heap of ruins.” Bethel means “the house of God.” He pitched his tent there before the house of God, with a heap of ruins reminding him that this old world is a heap of ruins, but this is the house of God. And Abram had an altar and a tent reminding him one more time of his pilgrim character. And he goes back to Bethel, back to the house of God, back to where he was in the beginning. Now, my dear friend, if you’ve gotten away from God, I want to tell you where you are going to find Him. Are you listening? You’re going to find Him right where you left Him. About two or three weeks ago, Joyce and I—maybe a little longer than that now—had the joy of teaching the Bible on a Bible study cruise. We do that in January. You ought to come and go with us. We’d love to have you. We went on that Bible study cruise. We flew into Orlando, and took a bus over to Cape Canaveral to get on that ship. And we got on the ship, started to unpack, and I said, “Joyce, I left my suit bag. I must have left it there in the airport.” She said, “Well, honey, what are we going to do?” I said, “Well, there is nothing we can do now. We’re already on board, and the ship’s going out. I’ll just have to get along, and you’ll just have to get used to seeing me and smelling me like I am, and that’s just the way I’ll be.” So on that whole cruise, when we got off on the shore, I bought a few things. But I said, “Well, I’ll get my suit bag when I go back to Orlando.” So I went to Orlando, and I went there to the Delta office. I said, “I left my suit bag here. Can I have it?” They looked, and they said, “Mister, we have no record of it.” I said, “Well, I left it here.” They said, “I’m sorry. We have no record whatsoever.” I said, “Oh boy, well, maybe I didn’t put it on the plane when I left Memphis.” So I went back to Memphis. I walked right in and told the man, I said, “Look, I lost a suit bag. You fellows, you know, you all mishandled it some way. You didn’t get it on here,” told him all about that. He said, “Well, Mr. Rogers, we’ll sure look for it. Give us all that information.” I thought, Oh boy, I just lost it all. Well, we went home, walked in the bedroom—there it was on the bed, right where I left it, hadn’t moved an inch, exactly right where I left it. I’m blaming everybody else about how they mishandled my bags. Now, my friend, I want to tell you something: You’re going to find God right where you left Him, and nobody else you’re going to blame. You can blame everybody else; you can blame circumstances and everything else. But you are going to find Him right where you left Him. Abram went right back there where he was in the beginning. Look at it. It’s so beautiful. And the Bible says, in verse 3, that he went “unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning”—“at the beginning.” (Genesis 13:3) That’s where God’s going to bring you, friend. C. Restoration Now, listen. If there was ever a time that you loved God more than you love Him right now, to that degree, you’re a backslider—you’re a backslider. Not only repentance and remembrance but also restoration. Look in Genesis 13, verse 4, and look at it here: “unto the place of the altar.” (Genesis 13:4) You know what the altar stands for? The Lord Jesus Christ. “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) Restoration: He’ll restore you when your faith falters. Conclusion Heads are bowed; eyes are closed. Father God, thank you so much for your Word today. Lord God, I just thank you that there is a cure for faltering faith. Lord God, help us that we’ll forsake Egypt, and Lord, that we’ll come clean out of Ur. Lord God, that we will obey you in spite of circumstances and in spite of consequences. Lord God, teach us. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Genesis 13:1-18 A String Of Bad Choices As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death. —Proverbs 11:19 The teenager expressed the view of many. Speaking of the wild parties he attended, the 16-year-old declared, “Without these parties, my life wouldn’t have any purpose.” Attitudes like this result from a string of bad choices that multiply until life loses its meaning. Examples of this “bad-choice string” can be seen all around us. Take the couple whose first bad choice is to be sexually active without being married. They soon follow that practice with other poor decisions that lead to spiritual, economic, and social problems. Or consider the business person who takes money from petty cash to line his pockets, only to follow that bad choice with many others just to cover it up. In Genesis 13 we read about the bad decisions Lot made when he and Abram decided to part ways. Given the pick of the land, Lot chose the best ground for himself, and then settled near a city known for its wickedness. Genesis 20 records the tragic result of one bad choice that led to others. The grip of habit can be so strong, You find it easy to choose the wrong; But let God's Spirit control within, And He will free you from binding sin. —Kasper True repentance rejects the wrong and returns to the right. James Smith - Handfuls of Purpose - The Restoration. “Abraham went up out of Egypt, and came unto the place of the altar which he had made at the first” (Ge 13:1–4). It has been said that “the man of God makes but a poor worldling.” Abraham built no altar in Egypt. There is no fellowship with God while we walk by sight and not by faith. The only remedy for backsliding is to come again to the place of the altar, the Cross of Christ. This is the place of sacrifice, forgiveness communion, and consecration. There was no happiness nor restoration for the prodigal until he came back to the place from whence he had wandered away (Luke 15). “Ye have forsaken ME,” saith the Lord. “Return unto ME, and I will heal your backslidings.” W H Griffith Thomas - The Restoration (Ge 13:1-4).Genesis 12:10-13:4 The Testing (If you are experiencing testing, read the Scriptures & the comment!) We can imagine Abraham's feelings as the caravan slowly wended its way out of Egypt, and as he came back to the land of Canaan. Note the phrase 'at the beginning' (Ge 13:3), and ' unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first' (Ge 13:4), and 'called on the name of the Lord' (Ge 13:4). We read of no such altar or prayer in Egypt. Abraham seems to have been out of communion there. Now, however, he does the only possible thing—he returns to where he had been at the commencement; he came back to the true surrender and simple worship of his earliest days in Canaan. Whenever we backslide there is nothing else to do but to come back by the old gateway of genuine repentance and simple faith (Ps 23:3+; 1 John 1:9+). A Believer's false step.—Abraham went aside out of the path of God's will; he was occupied with circumstances instead of with God. He only saw the famine, not the Divine faithfulness. 'He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool' (Pr 28:26). 'A crust with God is better than a feast without Him.' 2. A Believer's definite backsliding.—The possibilities of a true child of God wandering into sin and unfaithfulness are very clear from Scripture. This is one of the saddest and most mysterious facts of spiritual experience. In Abraham's case it manifested itself first in fear due to forgetfulness of God, then in selfishness, and lastly in hypocrisy and deceit. There is nothing more solemn than the well-known fact that through sin a believer can be out of touch with God for a long time. (See discussion of Backsliding) 3. A Believers sad experience.—One part of this was the knowledge that his wrongdoing had brought ill effects on others. Both Sarai and Pharaoh's house suffered through Abraham's sin. Another element in his bitter cup was the plain rebuke from the heathen Pharaoh. We have truly touched the depths of spiritual unfaithfulness when a believer has to be openly rebuked by the ungodly. 4. A Believer's only safeguard.—This preservative is twofold—trust and truth every moment. Abraham was taught three lessons about God in relation to trust: (1) That God was essential to his every step, and that nothing can be done apart from Him (John 15:5+); (2) that God was able—notwithstanding the famine God could have provided for Abraham; (3) that God was faithful: He had not forgotten His promise to His servant (Ge 12:1-3+). Thus Abraham came back with a deepened idea of God and a louder call for simple, absolute, continual trust. He was also taught the lesson of truth. The child of God is to be straightforward in all his attitude, and to go straight forward in all his actions. The end does not justify the means, whatever men may say. Even though our objects may be perfectly right, our means to attain those objects must be without blemish. This has special application to methods of Church work, ideas of social status, aspects of family life, and objects of personal ambition. Not only must the end we seek be true, the means we use must also be true. Rod Mattoon - Outlines That Teach Genesis Chapter 13 The Return Back Home Ge 13:1 Abram leaves Egypt and heads homeward. The Riches of Abram Ge 13:2 He had cattle, silver, and gold. The Rededication of Abram Ge 13:3, 4 Abram returns to the place where he spiritually left the Lord and calls upon the Lord. The Relative of Abram Ge 13:5 His nephew, Lot, had great wealth. The Resentment in the Clan Ge 13:6, 7 The huge size of the flocks caused strife as they competed for water and grazing area. The Reasoning of Abram Ge 13:8, 9 Abram provides a solution and suggests that they separate their families. He gives Lot first choice of the land he desires. Abram considered their love for one another more important than their investments. The Resolution of Lot. Ge 13:10, 11 Lot chooses all the plain of Jordan for his home. The Residence of Abram Ge 13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan. The Reproach of the Men of Sodom Ge 13:13 The men of Sodom were wicked sinners before the Lord. The Requirements for Blessing Ge 13:14-17 Lift up your eyes. Land was to be explored. The Reverence for God Ge 13:18 Abram goes to Hebron and builds an altar unto the Lord. (Mattoon's Treasures from Genesis - hardbound copies are scarce - here is the very affordable digital version - this is an excellent resource for lay readers, Sunday School teachers, etc) Oswald Chambers - Not Knowing Where - Unperplexed Genesis 13 Yea, this in him was the peculiar grace (Hearten our chorus!) That before living he’d learn how to live— No end to learning: Earn the means first—God surely will contrive Use for our earning. Others mistrust and say, “But time escapes: Live now or never!” He said, “What’s time? Leave Now for dogs and apes! Man has Forever.” Browning . . . unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. Genesis 13:4 When we come to study the lives of the saints, the confusing thing is that from one standpoint they are a jumble of inconsistencies, whilst from another standpoint they are an exhibition of the boundless consistency of God. This needs to be heeded, because if we study the life of a saint in order to find out what God is like, we shall finish up in the dumps and say—It is enough; whereas if we study God Himself, we shall find that He manifests His amazing consistency in the weakest and feeblest saint. At one time we find Abraham in a blank and sordid muddle; at another, we find him unperplexed and noble. The point is that God remains the same whether Abraham is unperplexed or muddled. 1. The Tryst of Sacramental Identification (Genesis 13:1-4) Abraham went with God, and Lot “went with Abraham.” Lot went down to Egypt with Abraham, and came back with Abraham, and the abundance of their possessions nearly brought about strife. A life of faithfulness is devotion to a servant or handmaid of God; a life of faith is devotion to God. Lot continually went to pieces; Abraham never did. The Way. We have to keep tryst with God in contact with the peculiar ways of everyone, and this can only be done by sacramental identification. The one thing Our Lord heeded was His tryst with God in connection with everyone, whether it was Judas or Peter or John; He took no account of the evil. We get huffed in no time—“No, they did not treat me rightly”;—they did not consider that I ought to have been considered.” Will I keep my tryst with God in contact with the blackguard or the traitor or the saint? Whoever it is, is nothing to do with me. I have not to fit other people into my ideas, but to keep tryst with God in relation to them. I am not to ignore them, but to refuse to look at them from my idea of what they ought to be, and to look at them only as facts in relation to my tryst with God. The Wealth. Abraham came back exceedingly wealthy, but he kept tryst with God over his possessions. Beware of not keeping tryst with God over your possessions, whether they be material or not. It is perilously possible not to, but to make your spiritual life depend on the abundance of things you possess. If God has given you the wealth of Divine healing for your body, keep tryst with Him over it. When you are learning to trust God, He gives you at first certain things you lean on; then He withdraws, and you say it is the devil. No, it is the chastening of the Lord because He sees that you are possessing those things. You can only possess your possessions by being detached from them to God Who is the Source. If you are drawing your life from God and begin to take a wrong line, God will withdraw His life. This is also true with regard to money. We have only one Source, and that is God. One of the biggest snares is the idea that God is sure to lead us to success. The Worship. All commentators notice one interesting point in Abraham’s life, viz. the times he erected an altar and the times he did not; whenever he neglected to erect an altar, he went astray. This fact is one of great significance because worship is the tryst of sacramental identification. In worship I deliberately give back to God the best He has given me that I may be identified with Him in it. If Abraham had erected an altar, he would not have gone down to Egypt, but would have identified himself with God over the famine in the land of promise. Selfishness in spiritual matters produces delusion rapidly. If in every case of blank astonishment, we go back to the place where we first built an altar to God, we will be delivered from the delusion of obtuse independent certainty. Worship is the sacramental element in the saint’s life. 2. The Test of Self Interest (Genesis 13:5-13) As surely as we begin our life of faith with God, fascinating, luxurious and rich prospects will open to us, which are ours by right, but if we are living the life of faith we will exercise the right to waive our rights and give them away, letting God choose for us. It is the discipline of transforming the natural into the spiritual by obedience to God’s voice. In the life of faith God allows us to get into a place of testing where the consideration of our own welfare would be the right and proper thing if we were not living the life of faith; but if we are living the life of faith, we will heartily waive our own rights in favour of those whose right it is not, and leave God to choose for us. Whenever we make “right” our guidance, we blunt our spiritual insight. The greatest enemy of the life with God is not sin, but the good that is not good enough. It would seem the wisest thing in the world for Abraham to choose, it was his right, and the people round him would consider him a fool for not choosing. Many of us do not go on in our spiritual life because we prefer to choose what is our right instead of relying upon God to choose for us. We have to learn to walk according to the standard that has its eye on God. The Tax of Riches (vv. 5-7). Abraham’s riches were in a great measure a tax to him. Every possession is tainted with a want; in this case the want was for sufficient pasturage. When Jesus Christ came He possessed nothing; the only symbol for our Lord is the symbol of poverty (Luke 9:58; 2 Corinthians 8:9) and this is true of the saint—“having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” Every possession produces an appetite that clings. The Touch of Rectitude. Lot forgot the place of communion, he thought only of the world. But Abraham, unperplexed, instantly exhibited forbearance as the result of his tryst with God, he walked in the moral atmosphere of the Sermon on the Mount. Abraham’s rectitude was not the rectitude of honour, but of holiness. This rectitude is exhibited in the life of Jesus Christ, of Whom it is recorded that He “pleased not Himself.” This gives the deathblow to subjectivity, that is, to the subjective experiences based on what is pleasing to my holy self; of the holiest Being Who ever trod this earth it is recorded that He pleased not Himself. The Tarnish of Reasonableness (vv. 10-13). Lot chose what he considered the best for his possessions. This is the tarnish of reasonableness of a mind that has neglected its tryst with God. 3. The Type of Supreme Integrity (Genesis 13:14-18) We must distinguish between the times when God revealed Himself to Abraham and the times when He concealed Himself. In the former, Abraham’s faith is elevated; in the latter it sinks. The Manifestation of God (v. 14). The first manifestation of God to Abraham was in his migration to Canaan; the first concealing when he went down to Egypt. Abraham did not have another manifestation of God until after his noble act of faith toward Lot. The Message of God (vv. 15-16). The promises of God correspond to the acts and conduct of faith in Abraham. Only when Abraham acts in accordance with his real faith in God, does God speak to him. There is a connection throughout between the providence of God and the conduct of Abraham. The Man of God (v. 18). Paul takes Abraham as a type of the life of faith, not as the type of a saint, but of a tried faith built on a real God. The sanctification of our faith, as distinct from the sanctification of our heart, is the unfathomable, supernatural blessing from God. Genesis 13:2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold. Ge 24:35 26:12,13 De 8:18 1Sa 2:7 Job 1:3,10 22:21-25 Ps 112:1-3 Pr 3:9,10 10:22 Mt 6:33 1Ti 4:8 Genesis 13 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries Related Passages: Genesis 12:5 Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. Genesis 12:16 Therefore he treated Abram well for her sake; and gave him sheep and oxen and donkeys and male and female servants and female donkeys and camels. A PARENTHETICAL EXPLANATION Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold - Moses adds this parenthetical statement to help us understand the subsequent strife which would arise with Lot, who also has a lot of livestock. Note how God has blessed Abram not only with livestock but precious metals. Abram's wealth was from his time in Haran (Ge 12:5) and was also from the Pharaoh’s gifts in Ge 12:15-16. 🙏 THOUGHT - In the Old Testament obedience would often result in material blessing. In the New Testament obedience most significantly results in spiritual blessings. To be rich spiritually (cf Eph 1:3+) is far more precious than to be rich materially (cf Eph 3:20+). The former endures forever, while the latter only lasts a lifetime. May God's Spirit enable each of us to obey Jesus' command to "seek (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Mt 6:33+) Bob
Gênesis 13
Phillips - Some number of years ago my father was greatly exercised about selling his business and going into full-time service for the Lord. There were some worrying circumstances connected with the proposed change. He asked Stephen Olford for advice. Having listened to the story and weighed the issues, Stephen said: “Len, my advice is simply this—if you don’t know what to do, don’t do it!”Abram, confronted with worrying circumstances, circumstances that seemed to be clamoring for immediate action, simply waited. He was assured that God would soon make his way clear. So, he did nothing. (BORROW Exploring Genesis) Genesis 13:7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land. a strife: Ge 21:25 26:20 Ex 2:17 1Co 3:3 Ga 5:20 Tit 3:3 Jas 3:16 4:1 Canaanite: Ge 10:19 12:6 15:18-21 34:30 Ne 5:9 Php 2:14,15 Col 4:5 1Th 4:12 1Pe 2:12 dwelled: i.e., They were there when Abram and Lot came to pitch their tents in the land. Genesis 13 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries STRIFE BETWEEN ABRAM AND LOT'S MEN And there was strife (riyb) between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock - Strife is translated in the Lxx with mache which can refer to physical combat but in the present context probably is more figuratively, describing "word battles!" Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land - Here is another parenthetical statement by Moses. Why would the Spirit inspire this fact in the present context? Clearly these pagan groups had possessions (including flocks), so that would add even more stress to the competition for the land. Another point to make is that these were pagans watching the strife between believers! What kind of witness did these pagans receive? That's rhetorical of course. 🙏 THOUGHT - Beloved, are you currently experiencing strife with a brother or sister in the Lord? Are the pagans aware of it and watching how you handle the strife? You can rest assured if they know about it, they are watching you like a hawk! They are often looking for any chink in your spiritual armor so that they can be critical of Christianity! What kind of impression will you leave with the watching lost souls who desperately need Jesus Christ to save them from eternal "strife" (so to speak) in hell? Paul gives us our modus operandi to praictice before the watching world in this "simple" command "Do (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) all things without grumbling or disputing; so that (TERM OF PURPOSE) you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,." (Php 2:14-15+) In context, obeying this command to "do all (not some) things" is one way we obey the command to "Work out (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) your salvation in fear and trembling." (Php 2:12+). Fortunately, Paul follows that command with a "term of explanation" for (explaining how it is even possible to continually work out our salvation! The answer is by depending continually on the Holy Spirit, Paul explaining "FOR God (His Spirit) is (continually) working in you, (continually) giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him." (Php 2:13NLT+). There is simply no other way to "Do all things without grumbling or disputing (which is what was at play with the men of Abram and Lot)!
Gênesis 13
Phillips - Saintly old George Mueller used to say that the stops as well as the steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord. Abram was wonderfully restrained by God from choosing the Jordan valley. God was about to destroy the cities of the plain in fire and brimstone in one dreadful night of fear and flame. We say, “But Lot did not know that!” That is the very point, for neither did Abram. But God did, and because Abram kept in touch with God he was divinely restrained from making the wrong choice. (BORROW Exploring Genesis) Genesis 13:13 A Good Reason to Scream ".the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord." Gen. 13:13 There’s an old story about a man who tried to save the city of Sodom from destruction by warning the citizens. But the people ignored him. One day someone asked, “Why bother everyone? You can’t change them.” “Maybe I can’t,” the man replied, “but I still shout and scream to prevent them from changing me!” Lot was a righteous man (2 Peter 2:7) who should have done some screaming. The record of his life reminds us of how our sense of moral indignation can be dulled by the world. Lot chose to dwell in cities where there was great wickedness (Gen. 13:12, 13). When Sodom was invaded by hostile kings, he was captured. Even after Abraham rescued Lot, he was still drawn back to that wicked city (Gen. 19:1). And the last chapter of his story is an account of heartache and shame (Gen. 19). What a contrast—this nephew and his uncle! Abraham trusted God, prayed for the righteous, and lived a moral life. But Lot was “oppressed with the filthy conduct of the wicked” (2 Peter 2:7). Although the sin of his day bothered him, he apparently said little about it. If we would love what’s good and right, We must be pure within; But if we compromise the truth, We lose our sense of sin. - D. J. De Haan The man who cannot be angry at evil lacks enthusiasm for good. Genesis 13:14 The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; had separated from: Ge 13:11 Lift: Ge 13:10 Isa 49:18 60:4 northward: Ge 28:14 De 3:27 Genesis 13 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries LORD COMMANDS ABRAM TO LOOK ALL DIRECTIONS In Genesis 13:14-18 God confirms His promise to Abram. In short, Abram's faith was rewarded. The LORD (Jehovah/ Yahweh; Lxx = theos) said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward - Notice that God does not come on the scene until Lot has separated. In Ge 13:10 Lot had lifted his eyes and chosen, but now God in essence tells Abram to lift his eyes and see what God had chosen for him! Here we see God reassure Abram regarding the covenant He had made with him in Genesis 12:1-3+ and Ge 12:7+. And it was exceeding abundantly beyond all Abram could ask or think! (cf Eph 3:20+). Why do I say that? Think about where God tells Abram to look. This would include the verdant well watered valley of the Jordan! That is the land eastward where Lot had settled! And yet it had been promised by God to Abram (Ge 12:7+). Lot had selfishly sought it, but here God clearly says He will overrule Lot's willful choice in favor of Abram, ultimately because His covenant with Abram was immutable and everlasting (Ge 13:15). One is reminded of the words of Jesus to those who chose to follow her (and lose their life - Mk 8:34,35+) Who promised that "everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life." (Mt 19:29). Lot's descendants would not inherit land in the promised land but his sons Moab and Ben-ammi (Ge 19:37-38) would become the founders of Moab and Ammon, nations east of the promised land. Wenstrom writes that "The phrase “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward” reflected a legal practice in the days of Abram of transferring property rights by sight and intention. The Lord invited Moses to do the same in Deuteronomy 34:1-4 before he died and Joshua led Israel into the land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. In both instances, with Moses in Deuteronomy 34:1-4 and Abram in Genesis 13:14-17, the divine invitation to view the land is given to confirm the promise even though they both did not participate in the dispossessing of the Canaanites. Both Abram and Moses did “not” receive the promise but they will receive it in their resurrection bodies during the millennial reign of Christ." (Genesis Verse by Verse) In Ge 13:10 it was Lot who lifted up his eyes to look, but here it is Jehovah telling Abram to lift up his eyes and look. Lot's look was motivated by flesh and not in the will of God, while Abram's is motivated by a desire to do the will of God and please Him with obedience. Lot was living for the possible, but Abraham was trusting God for the impossible. --Warren Wiersbe Bob