Gênesis 13
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Gênesis 13
Wiersbe - Abraham learned his lesson, repented, and “went up’’ out of Egypt (Ge 13:1). When you disobey the will of God, the only right thing to do is to go back to the place where you left Him and make a new beginning (1 John 1:9). No failure is permanent in “the school of faith.” Abraham went back to his tent and altar and the life of a “pilgrim and stranger.’’ A casual observer of this episode might conclude, “What happened to Abraham wasn’t all bad. Pharaoh gave Abraham a lot of wealth (Gen. 12:16; 13:2), and Sarah was given her own maid, Hagar (Ge 16:1). God forgave Abraham’s sin, and he started over again. So, what’s the big problem?’’ The “big problem’’ is that everything Abraham received in Egypt later caused trouble. Because of their great wealth, Abraham and Lot could not live together and had to separate (Ge 13:5–6). Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant, brought division and sorrow into the home (Gen. 16). Having had a taste of Egypt (the world), Lot started measuring everything by what he saw there (Ge 13:10–11), and this led to his downfall and the ruin of his family. There are no benefits from disobedience. The practical lesson from all of this is simply never abandon your altar. Stay in fellowship with the Lord no matter what the circumstances may be. If you have disobeyed and God is disciplining you, go back to the place where you left Him and make things right. Remember: “The victorious Christian life is a series of new beginnings.’’ That is not an excuse for sin, but it is an encouragement for repentance. Negev (05045) (negeb) is a masculine noun meaning the South, south. Negev often (36x) refers to the area around Beersheba and south of it (Ge 12:9; 13:1; 20:1). Negev also refers to the southern district of Judah and more specifically to indicate the area south of Judah (Jer. 13:19; 17:26), but these areas are not always precisely defined. It may indicate land south of Babylon or southern Palestine (Isa. 21:1). Gilbrant - The noun negev has a number of meanings. Its primary meaning is a geographic region. Because this region lay to the south of the rest of the Promised Land, the word became a synonym for dārôm, "south." The meaning "south" is easily understood as "toward the Negeb." That it can simply mean the cardinal direction "south" is attested in Dan. 8:9. Indeed, in Daniel the notion of south is extended to include Egypt (Dan. 11:15, 29). The noun also means "arid land" (cf. Middle Hebrew usage), a designation which denotes a number of regions, all of which happen to be in the south (perhaps begging the question of whether the noun does have this nuance at all, or are the authors simply referring to the Negeb; see Josh. 12:8). The region of the Negeb extends roughly from a line drawn from Gaza through the modern political boundary of the southern West Bank, extending south to the mountain ranges of the Sinai and through the Arabah to the Red Sea. Beer-Sheba and Arad, the two most significant sites in the region, are in the northern region. Agriculture is possible now, and archaeological research has established that the region currently suitable for agriculture was even more suitable in the past, as the rainfall patterns in the region did not become sparse until the Early Bronze period. As one progresses southward, rainfall lessens, until one reaches the desert regions bounding the Sinai and the Red Sea. Pastoralism played a major role throughout the region (e.g., the migrations of Abraham were centered in the northern reaches of this region). The southern part of the Negeb was long prized by Egypt on account of its copper mines. The area around Timna is renowned, and was not only the seat of Egyptian military outposts, but was in the cultural heartland of the Midianites as the Israelites entered the Promised Land. The Egyptians maintained waystations throughout the region. The Israelites, once in control of the region, likewise exploited the resource. The construction of the ports of Ezion-Geber and Elath (1 Ki. 9:26) was a direct infrastructural response to the mines. The area became a region for religious pilgrims, with the tradition of the mountain of Yahweh (Sinai/Horeb/Teman) in the vicinity. The remains of the village of Deir Alla and its shrine shed light on popular religion of the day (ninth century b.c.). The region was divided among the tribes of Simeon and Judah, though Judah came to dominate the entirety of the land (Josh. 15:20-62; 19:1-7). The area was mainly home to military outposts and forts during the monarchy. Forts were built in the eleventh and tenth centuries b.c. Villages thinned in the ninth and eighth centuries. The Assyrian kings Sargon II (720 b.c.) and Sennacherib (701 b.c.) destroyed most of the villages as well as the military installations. They were rebuilt in the seventh century b.c., as protection against the Edomites and, later, the Babylonians. A number of significant events transpired in the Negeb. Many of the Patriarchal narratives were set in this region. Moses (Num. 14:44), Saul (1 Sam. 14) and David (1 Sam. 30) all fought wars here against the Amalekites. Jeremiah prophesied restoration, that both agricultural land (32:44) and flocks (33:13) would again be in the hands of their rightful Israelite owners throughout Judah, including in the Negeb. Negeb - Negev(36), South(11), south(45), south side(2), south*(3), southeast*(1), southern(2), southward(9). Gen. 12:9; Gen. 13:1; Gen. 13:3; Gen. 13:14; Gen. 20:1; Gen. 24:62; Gen. 28:14; Exod. 27:9; Exod. 36:23; Exod. 38:9; Exod. 40:24; Num. 13:17; Num. 13:22; Num. 13:29; Num. 21:1; Num. 33:40; Num. 34:3; Num. 34:4; Num. 35:5; Deut. 1:7; Deut. 34:3; Jos. 10:40; Jos. 11:2; Jos. 11:16; Jos. 12:8; Jos. 15:1; Jos. 15:2; Jos. 15:3; Jos. 15:4; Jos. 15:7; Jos. 15:8; Jos. 15:19; Jos. 15:21; Jos. 17:9; Jos. 17:10; Jos. 18:5; Jos. 18:13; Jos. 18:14; Jos. 18:15; Jos. 18:16; Jos. 18:19; Jos. 19:34; Jdg. 1:9; Jdg. 1:15; Jdg. 1:16; Jdg. 21:19; 1 Sam. 14:5; 1 Sam. 20:41; 1 Sam. 27:10; 1 Sam. 30:1; 1 Sam. 30:14; 2 Sam. 24:7; 1 Ki. 7:25; 1 Ki. 7:39; 1 Chr. 9:24; 1 Chr. 26:15; 1 Chr. 26:17; 2 Chr. 4:4; 2 Chr. 4:10; 2 Chr. 28:18; Ps. 126:4; Isa. 21:1; Isa. 30:6; Jer. 13:19; Jer. 17:26; Jer. 32:44; Jer. 33:13; Ezek. 20:46; Ezek. 20:47; Ezek. 21:4; Ezek. 40:2; Ezek. 46:9; Ezek. 47:1; Ezek. 47:19; Ezek. 48:10; Ezek. 48:16; Ezek. 48:17; Ezek. 48:28; Ezek. 48:33; Dan. 8:4; Dan. 8:9; Dan. 11:5; Dan. 11:6; Dan. 11:9; Dan. 11:11; Dan. 11:14; Dan. 11:15; Dan. 11:25; Dan. 11:29; Dan. 11:40; Obad. 1:19; Obad. 1:20; Zech. 7:7; Zech. 14:4; Zech. 14:10 John
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Wiersbe has an interesting analysis of Lot's mindset - Lot had a tent but no altar (Gen. 13:5), which meant he did not call on the Lord for wisdom in making decisions (James 1:5). Instead of lifting up his eyes to heaven, Lot lifted up his eyes to the plain of Jordan (Gen. 13:10) and stopped there. The eyes see what the heart loves. Abraham had taken Lot out of Egypt, but he could not take Egypt out of Lot. Outlook helps to determine outcome. Abraham’s eyes were on the Holy City of God (Heb. 11:13–16), and he went on to walk with the Lord and inherit blessing. Lot’s eyes were on the sinful cities of men, and he went on to worldly success, spiritual failure, and a shameful end. W H Griffith Thomas - A Serious Problem (Ge 13:5, 6). Genesis 13:5-18 The Separation —Abraham and Lot were rich. The accessions which came to them in Egypt had increased their flocks and herds. This is the first instance of riches in the Bible (Ge 13:2), and we also have here the interesting problem of wealth connected with the believer's life. What is the teaching of Scripture about wealth as possessed by a child of God? A careful study of the entire Bible seems to show that there is no sin in being wealthy provided the riches have been honourably obtained, are regarded as belonging to God, and are being constantly used as in the sight of God. At the same time, wealth very seriously increases the responsibility of a believer, and his riches will soon become a sin if they are not used properly and with a sense of stewardship, not of ownership. Another experience of human life is seen in this story—the danger of quarrels between relatives on account of wealth. How often this deplorable fact has been experienced since Abraham's day! The possession of such flocks and herds prevented the uncle and nephew from continuing to dwell together. The need of increasing pasturage, together with the need of water, must have been very acute, and the problem was intensified by the presence of the Canaanites with their pastoral requirements. James Smith - Handfuls of Purpose - ABRAHAM, THE SEPARATED ONE Genesis 13:5–18 Abraham and Lot are types of two classes of Christians. Lot was a righteous man, but, living by sight and sense, he sought only his own pleasure and profit. He is the type of an unconsecrated Christian. Abraham lives by faith on the promise of God. He may fail, but not like Lot, who never could do anything to help Abraham. Lot builded no altar. The unconsecrated life can live without worship. The well-watered plains have more attraction for the worldly believer. The “higher Christian life” just means higher motives in living. I. The Impossible Relationship. “The land was not able to bear them” (Ge 13:6). The conditions of the country would not permit of Abram and Lot dwelling together. Even the Land of Promise is not able to sustain such an unequal yoke as the life of faith in God and the life of sense and worldly wisdom. This is a strife that often takes place in the heart of the believer, a conflict between the fleshly life and the spiritual. As long as the strife goes on the Land of Promise seems to yield no blessing (see Rom. 7). Worldly Christians, like Lot, set no value on the promises of God. II. The Generosity of Faith. “Abram said to Lot, The whole land is before thee; separate thyself” (Ge 13:8,9). The friend of God can easily afford to let others have the first choice. Either hand will do for the man of God. The servant of God must not strive. We can show our trust in God by standing back from the strife of tongues, and by allowing others to occupy the chief seats. Let us stand up for God, and God will stand up for our rights. All our rights are in Him. III. The Selfishness of the Worldly-Minded. “Lot lifted up his eyes” (Ge 13:10–13). He looked for the best, and chose it, and never said “Thank you.” He separated himself from the man of faith with a light heart. Worldly Christians do not set much value on the fellowship of a holy man. His mind was set on earthly prosperity, not on heavenly things. How much did he gam by it? He pitched his tent (no altar) toward Sodom, and was burned out of it himself, saved as by fire. IV. The Privilege of the Separated. “The Lord said unto Abram, after Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes” (Ge 13:14). After the separation comes the message of comfort, “Come out from among them, … and I will receive you” (2 Cor. 6:17). Greed and covetousness constrained Lot to lift up his eyes. Abram lifted up his eyes at the invitation of the Lord. Herein lies the great distinction between the worldly Christian and the faithful one. The one is moved by self-interest, the other by the Word of God. “Looking up” is the abiding attitude of every separated one. Lot goes leaning on his own understanding. Abram goes leaning on the promise of God (see Gal. 2:20). V. The Altar of Testimony. “Abram came to the plain of Mamre and built there an altar unto the Lord” (Ge 13:18). Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom; Abram pitched his toward God. The self-seeking Christian bears no testimony for God. When he does attempt it, it looks like mockery (Gen. 19:14). The just shall live by faith. Live to the will of God (1 Peter 4:1, 2). Genesis 13:6 And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together. Ge 36:6,7 Ec 5:10,11 Lu 12:17,18 1Ti 6:9 Genesis 13 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries ABRAM AND LOT RUN OUT OF ROOM And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together ("living side by side"), for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together - There is simply not a lot of room for Lot's possessions and Abram's possessions. Who would have caused them both to be so blessed? That's rhetorical of course, for clearly God had blessed both of them. It would seem that God's goal was to produce a situation in which Abram had to separate from Lot which is of course what transpired. Bob Utley on the land could not sustain them - The land in southern Canaan did not get enough annual rainfall to allow the native grasses to flourish. It took many acres to support a flock. Usually April through September was wet enough for grasses to grow, but in October through March the herds had to be moved to higher pastures. John
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Wiersbe adds "When Christians have disputes, it hurts the testimony of the Lord. In my pastoral ministry, I frequently visited the unsaved relatives and friends of church members, seeking to interest them in spiritual things, only to discover that they knew about every “church fight’’ in town. No wonder our Lord prayed that His people might be one, that the world might believe (John 17:20–23). Christian unity is fragrant and fruitful (Ps. 133), but disunity turns that fragrance into a stench and the garden into a desert." NET NOTE on the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling - This parenthetical clause, introduced with the vav (ו) disjunctive (translated “now”), again provides critical information. It tells in part why the land cannot sustain these two bedouins, and it also hints of the danger of weakening the family by inner strife. Warren Wiersbe - Abraham may have failed the first two tests, but he passed this third test with great success. The test was not an easy one, for it involved land and wealth, but Abraham is the example of what every believer should do when there are disputes about material things. Abraham determined to be a peacemaker and not a troublemaker. The problem between Abraham and Lot was not caused by the land, the famine, their wealth (both of them were rich), or even their herdsmen (Ge 13:7). The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart. Lot’s heart was centered on wealth and worldly achievement, while Abraham wanted only to please the Lord. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?’’ (Amos 3:3). W H Griffith Thomas - A Deplorable Strife (Ge 13:7) Genesis 13:5-18 The Separation —The quarrel originated with the servants, and was limited to them. Doubtless each herdman endeavoured to gain the best locality for his own flocks. Very significantly we read that 'The Canaanite and Perizzite dwelled then in the land.' This statement suggests not only the circumstance that accentuated the difficulty of obtaining pasturage, but also the fact that the heathen around must have seen and overheard this quarrel between the servants of God's children. Herein lay one of the saddest elements of the matter. Strife (07379) riyb from riyb = to strive or contend) is a masculine noun which means a strife, contention or dispute and in other contexts refers to lawsuits. When riyb/rib is used with in the context of a legal-judicial setting, usually with God as subject (the "Attorney"). Riyb is used of conflicts among men (Ge 13:7, Dt 19:17, 21:5, 25:1, Pr 20:3). David uses it of attacks directed at him Ps 55:9). Riyb - 61 verses - Gen. 13:7; Exod. 17:7; Exod. 23:2; Exod. 23:3; Exod. 23:6; Deut. 1:12; Deut. 17:8; Deut. 19:17; Deut. 21:5; Deut. 25:1; Jdg. 12:2; 1 Sam. 24:15; 1 Sam. 25:39; 2 Sam. 15:2; 2 Sam. 15:4; 2 Sam. 22:44; 2 Chr. 19:8; 2 Chr. 19:10; Job 13:6; Job 29:16; Job 31:13; Job 31:35; Job 33:19; Ps. 18:43; Ps. 31:20; Ps. 35:23; Ps. 43:1; Ps. 55:9; Ps. 74:22; Ps. 119:154; Prov. 15:18; Prov. 17:1; Prov. 17:14; Prov. 18:6; Prov. 18:17; Prov. 20:3; Prov. 22:23; Prov. 23:11; Prov. 25:9; Prov. 26:17; Prov. 26:21; Prov. 30:33; Isa. 1:23; Isa. 34:8; Isa. 41:11; Isa. 41:21; Isa. 58:4; Jer. 11:20; Jer. 15:10; Jer. 20:12; Jer. 25:31; Jer. 50:34; Jer. 51:36; Lam. 3:36; Lam. 3:58; Ezek. 44:24; Hos. 4:1; Hos. 12:2; Mic. 6:2; Mic. 7:9; Hab. 1:3 Genesis 13:8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. Let: Pr 15:1 Mt 5:9 1Co 6:6,7 Php 2:14 Heb 12:14 Jas 3:17,18 brethren: Ge 11:27-31 45:24 Ex 2:13 Ps 133:1 Ac 7:26 Ro 12:10 Eph 4:2,3 1Th 4:9 Heb 13:1 1Pe 1:22 2:17 3:8 4:8 2Pe 1:7 1Jn 2:9-11 1Jn 3:14-19 4:7,20,21 Genesis 13 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries Related Passages: Proverbs 15:1+ A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. ABRAM THE PEACEMAKER So - A term of conclusion. Based on the eruption of strife between their herdsmen due to the size of the flocks of Abram and Lot, Abram intervenes. Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife (meribah; Lxx - mache - fighting, quarrels, disputes)(Qal JUSSIVE ~ like a command) between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen - Abram pursues peace which reminds me of Hebrews 12:14 "Pursue (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) peace with all men, and the sanctification (HOLINESS) without which no one will see the Lord." For - Term of explanation. Abram is explaining why there should be no strife and instead pursue peace. As Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Mt 5:9+) Indeed, Abram was a "son of God!" We are brothers - NET renders it "we are close relatives," for Abram was Lot's uncle. But even more important, they were spiritual brothers. Spiritual brothers should be united in oneness because they worship the same LORD. 🙏 THOUGHT - Are you currently at strife with a spiritual brother? Then follow the pattern of Abram, and enabled by the Holy Spirit, be willing to lay down your rights for the greater good of the greatest God! W H Griffith Thomas - A Generous Proposal (Ge 13:8, 9). Genesis 13:5-18 The Separation —Abraham takes the initiative, and begs that there shall be no strife. The quarrel might easily rise above the servants to the masters, and Abraham speaks in time to prevent this, urging as the great reason, 'We are brethren.' Notice his large-hearted suggestion. Although he is older than Lot and chief of the tribe or clan, and although the land had been promised by God to him, he allows his nephew the first choice. 'The servant of God must not strive' (2 Tim. 2:24). How beautifully Abraham had recovered from his fall in Egypt! While there he had learned the great lesson that no one needs to descend to deceit in order to obtain his160 desires. The true child of God can afford to be magnanimous, simply because he is a child of God. Strife (04808)(meribah from rib = to strive) feminine noun indicating strife, contention. It is used of a state of quarreling or wrangling over something, a condition of hostility (Gen. 13:8; Num. 27:14). The name Meribah means striving, strife (Num. 27:14; Ps. 95:8; 106:32; Ezek. 47:19; 48:28). This word meribah is found only in Ge 13:8 and Nu 27:14. H A
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Wiersbe - While in Egypt, Abraham thought first about himself (Gen. 12:12–13), but when he returned to his altar in Canaan, he put God first and others next....When God is first in your life, it makes no difference who is second or last.
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Wiersbe - Covetousness—an insatiable appetite for more things—leads to all kinds of evil (1 Tim. 6:10). In order to get more money, people will lie (Prov. 21:6), mistreat people (Pr 22:16), cheat (Pr 28:8), and even trouble their own families (Pr 15:27). “Covetousness is both the beginning and the end of the devil’s alphabet,’’ wrote Robert South, “the first vice in corrupt nature that moves, and the last which dies.’’ His (LOT'S) heart was really in Egypt (Gen. 13:10). Bob
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Wiersbe - Lot looked toward Sodom (Gen. 13:10); then he moved toward Sodom (Ge 13:11–12); and finally, he moved into Sodom (Ge 14:12). Instead of being a pilgrim who made progress, Lot regressed into the world and away from God’s blessing (Ps. 1:1). He “journeyed east’’ (Ge 13:11) and turned his back on Bethel (“house of God’’) and toward Ai (“ruins’’; see Ge 12:8). Thus they separated from each other - This final physical separation from Abram would have spiritual consequences in the life of Lot. 🙏 THOUGHT- Separation from a godly influence (a godly leader, a godly church, etc) will invariably reap a harvest of negative consequences, if we refuse to repent and return. Rod Mattoon - Lot reveals his selfish nature as he fails to honor Abram by going ahead and taking first pick of the land. His decision to go to the plains of Jordan reveals his desire for satisfaction instead of the safety of his family. How fooled we are in thinking if we get our own way we will be happy. Some of the most miserable people I have met are selfish people who have gotten their own way. They are miserable because what they thought would make them happy did not. They are left empty and miserable. (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) Genesis 13:12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. Lot dwelled: Ge 19:29 moved his tents: Ge 14:12 19:1 Ps 26:5 1Co 15:33 2Pe 2:7,8 Genesis 13 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries SETTLEMENTS CONTRASTED Abram settled in the land of Canaan - Indeed was this not exactly where God had called him to settle when He called him out of Ur of the Chaldees (cf Ge 11:31+)? The answer is "yes." while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom - The verb settled (yashab, Lxx = katoikeo = to settle down) sit, to dwell, to inhabit, to endure, to stay and can convey the thought of remaining (a permanent settler, not a sojourner). Lot moved his whole family into the land of the cesspool called Sodom and eventually became a citizen. MacDonald on Lot's lot - Though a true believer (2 Pet. 2:7, 8+), Lot was a world-borderer. As someone has said, “he got grass for his cattle while Abram got grace for his children” (Ge 13:15, 16+). (Borrow Believer's Bible Commentary) MAKING WISE CHOICES Embracing Eternity: Living Each Day with a Heart Toward Heaven Lot … pitched his tents near Sodom. Genesis 13:12, NIV LOT HAD A HISTORY of making poor choices, and God was continually bailing him out of crises. He was a good man, but his foolish decisions got him into a lot of trouble. Lot was the nephew of Abram who traveled with him from Egypt through the land of Negev and Bethel and Ai. The two had many flocks and herds, and the trip was a grueling and slow one. Their herdsmen were getting in each other’s way and getting on each other’s nerves, so Abram and Lot decided to separate. Abram gave Lot his choice of parcels in the region. “If you want that area over there, then I’ll stay here. If you want to stay in this area, then I’ll move on to another place,” he told Lot (Genesis 13:9). As usual, Abram took the high road and let God work out the details. But Lot saw it as an opportunity to get the choice property. He looked out over the plains of the Jordan Valley and saw the plush and fertile ground. Water was in abundance, just as he remembered from the beautiful gardens of Egypt. It was the perfect place to live. Except for one big problem. It was right next to Sodom. Everyone knew about Sodom. It was the city that had forgotten God. It was brimming with evil men doing unspeakable things. A detestable place to live. But what beautiful land, he thought. Think of the fortune I can make. So Lot pitched his tents near Sodom. He chose good soil over good sense. He moved his family next to the most wicked city in the region and put down roots. Sodom was a great place to live if you could just overlook the evil. Get past the constant temptation to sin and turn away from God, and you’d have yourself a perfect place to raise a family. That was Sodom. Did I mention how good the soil was? You and I make similar choices every day. We decide where we want to live, whom we want as neighbors, where we want our kids to attend school. We choose our careers and the best places to pursue them. We pick our friends, and watch which friends our children pick. We decide where we want our family to go to church. All of these decisions have a bearing on our future. Our choices matter. It makes a difference where we choose to pitch our tents. My criteria is simple: I want life-giving friends and a God-centered church. A place where my faith and family will not only survive but thrive. REFLECTION What choices have you made when it comes to your friends and your family’s spiritual climate? Is your faith thriving where you’ve planted it? P G Matthew - We read in Genesis 13 that Abraham had generously given his nephew Lot the first choice of land. Abraham was called by God and therefore lived by faith in God; he let God choose for him. Lot, however, was a person who lived by sight and not by faith. What he desired was independence from Abraham and Abraham’s God. He was not seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness; his choice was based on what was good for his animals, not what was good for his soul. And so Lot chose and pitched his tent near Sodom. He knew Sodom’s people were extremely wicked, known for their homosexuality. But he ignored the dangers. It was not the God of Abraham who formed his value system; it was the pagan world. Soon he moved into the city itself and began to enjoy great success. No more tents. No more moving from here to there. Now he lived in a large house in the highly cultured city of Sodom. Not only that, he had climbed the social ladder and was now a judge, a figure of great prominence. What a terrible choice Lot had made. “Lot chose for himself” (Gen. 13:11). He did not look to God to direct him. He did not ask his uncle to help him. He was independent and self-sufficient. But in relying on his own wisdom, Lot chose what the Lord would eventually completely destroy. At the height of his success, Lot lost everything to God’s fiery judgment—his property, his security, his wife, his Sodomite sons-in-law, and the spiritual blessings he could have enjoyed had he stayed with Abraham. What tragedy! Lot went away from God’s prophet, God’s people, and God’s presence, to a city that was destined to be destroyed. And all along he thought he had made the right decision. He went away to seek worldly success, and he achieved it all, only to lose it all. You and I can make the same mistake if we are not careful. We can move towards and settle in something that God has determined to judge by fire. We can fall in love with a doomed world. How we play the fool if we choose for ourselves and ignore the plan of God! Alexander Whyte - Think, Fathers, Think; think, mothers, think; think, young men, so much is at stake—think what the temptations and the dangers and the almost sure issues of this and that choice in life must be. All our trades, professions, occupations in life have, each one, its own perils and temptations and snares to the soul; as well as its own opportunities of gain and honour, and praise, and service. The ministry, teaching, law, medicine, the army, political life, newspaper life, trades of all kinds, the money-market of all kinds, and so on. Open your eyes. Count the cost. Are you able? Will you venture? Take that line of life which you are just about to choose. Take time over it. Look all around it. Imagine yourself done with it. Look at this man and that man who are done with it. Would you like to be like them? Study well the successes and the failures in that line of life. Read the 13th and the 19th chapters of Genesis, and then take those two chapters with you to your knees, and so make your choice. Camping With the Enemy - James Scudder - Living Water Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. Genesis 13:12 In a recent study, it was found that the average American between the ages of 25 and 54 spends 27–30 hours a week watching television. More than one day of the week and ¾ of the average work week is devoted to the “tube.” That might explain why 32% of children today live in a single-parent home. The tremendous amount of television viewing might also be a reason that 32% of children born today are illegitimate. These statistics remind me of the Old Testament story of Lot. Lot mistakenly believed he could withstand the temptation of Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 13:12 says that he “dwelled in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom.” Every morning, when he rose, he would have a full view of the tantalizing temptations of Sodom. It wasn’t long before he packed up his belongings and moved there. Many people today believe the lie that Lot believed. They think they can view anything on television or in the movie theatre and not be affected by the continual onslaught of violence, sex, foul-language, and crude behavior. They have pitched their tent toward Sodom. Pretty soon, they will be living there. The truth is, no Christian is strong enough to withstand the devil’s temptations himself. We cannot look at sin and not be affected. God wants each of us to separate from the world so we don’t fall prey. Learn from the tragic story of Lot. Don’t pitch your tent toward Sodom. Sin is not a monster to be mused, but an impotence to be gotten rid of. Martin Luther Genesis 13:13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD. But the: Ge 15:16 18:20 19:4-11 1Sa 15:18 Isa 1:9 3:9 Eze 16:46-50 Mt 9:10,13 11:23,24 Joh 9:24,31 Ro 1:27 2Pe 2:6-8,10 Jude 1:7 before: Ge 6:11 10:9 38:7 2Ki 21:6 Isa 3:8 Jer 23:24 Heb 4:13 Genesis 13 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries LOT DOES NOT DEFER DWELLING IN THE DESPICABLE DEPRAVITY OF SODOMITES Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD (Jehovah/ Yahweh; Lxx = theos) - Oh, if only Lot could have read this passage before he made his choice! Moses gives us another parenthetical fact which will help understand the events that unfold in Genesis 19. Here we see a vivid description of Sodom's exceeding wickedness which is exemplified in Genesis 19:4-14 when the men even sought the angels (the Sodomites thought the angels were men) that visited Lot so that they might "have relations with them!" (Ge 19:5). Ge 19:1 even suggests Lot because a local official in Sodom! Now that's a picture of despicable depravity! Clearly they had rejected natural revelation of God and He had given them "over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them," for "the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error." (Ro 1:27+) Note the phrase against the LORD. All sin is against the LORD (contrast Joseph's mindset with Lot's mindset - Ge 39:9), but these men went above and beyond the call of normal sin and took their heinous acts of sin to a new level (or better stated "a new depth") of depravity! NET NOTE on Hebrew “wicked and sinners against the LORD exceedingly.” The description of the sinfulness of the Sodomites is very emphatic. First, two nouns are used to form a hendiadys: “wicked and sinners” means “wicked sinners,” the first word becoming adjectival. The text is saying these were no ordinary sinners; they were wicked sinners, the type that cause pain for others. Then to this phrase is added “against the LORD,” stressing their violation of the laws of heaven and their culpability. Finally, to this is added מְאֹד (mé’od, “exceedingly,” translated here as “extremely”). John
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Wiersbe - Lot had lifted up his eyes and seen what the world had to offer; now God invited Abraham to lift up his eyes and see what heaven had to offer. Lot chose a piece of land which he finally lost, but God gave Abraham the whole land which still belongs to him and his descendants. Lot had said, “I will take.’’ God said to Abraham, “I will give.’’ What a contrast! Lot lost his family, but Abraham was promised a family so large it could not be counted. (Remember, Abraham and Sarah were old and had no children.) Lot was living for the possible, but Abraham was trusting God for the impossible. QUESTION - What is the land that God promised to Israel? ANSWER - There is probably no more disputed real estate on earth than the land of Israel. Even calling it “Israel” will raise objections from some quarters. The Jewish people lay claim to the land because they first held possession of it millennia ago and because God directly gave them the land, as recorded in the Bible. In Genesis 12:7, God promises Abram, who had just arrived in Canaan, “To your offspring I will give this land.” Later, in Genesis 15:18, God expands on that unconditional promise: “To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates” (NASB). Then, in Genesis 17:8, God reiterates the promise to Abraham, adding that the land gift is irrevocable: “The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you.” God later repeats the promise to Abraham’s son Isaac (Genesis 26:3–4) and Isaac’s son Jacob (Genesis 28:13), whose name God later changed to Israel. In the Abrahamic Covenant, then, God laid out the extent of the land that would belong to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—a territory including all of Canaan and stretching from Egypt to modern-day Iraq. Several centuries later, when it came time for the Israelites actually take possession of the Promised Land, God again spoke of a vast area “from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites” (Joshua 1:4, NLT). The promise of land belonging to the children of Israel is permanent. Even when Israel was expelled from their land, which has happened twice in history, God promised they would return: “Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it” (Deuteronomy 30:4–5+). This promise is part of what is today sometimes called the Palestinian Covenant or the Land Covenant (Deuteronomy 29:1-30:10+). In foretelling the removal of Israel from their land, the Palestinian Covenant anticipated the Babylonian Captivity (586 BC) and the Roman destruction of Jerusalem (AD 70). In both cases, the promise of the covenant held true: the Jews regained their land and their nation in 537 BC and again in AD 1948. Israel is still in their land, despite the fact that their conquerors, Babylon and Rome, are long gone. All of this reinforces the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that God would establish Israel in their land as His chosen people (Deuteronomy 29:13). The Land Covenant also contains some special promises to Israel that many believe will not be completely fulfilled until the millennial reign of Christ. According to Genesis 15:18 and Joshua 1:4, the land God gave to Israel included everything from the Nile River in Egypt to Lebanon (south to north) and everything from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River (west to east). On today’s map, the land God has stated belongs to Israel includes everything modern-day Israel possesses, plus all of the territory occupied by the Palestinians (the West Bank and Gaza), plus some of Egypt and Syria, plus all of Jordan, plus some of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Thus, Israel currently possesses only a fraction of the land God has promised; the rest of their inheritance likely awaits the return of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God has given His word that the nation of Israel will never cease as long as the sun still shines by day and the moon and stars still shine by night (Jeremiah 31:35–37). GotQuestions.org QUESTION - Did God give Israel the Promised Land for all time (Deuteronomy 4:40)? ANSWER - In Deuteronomy 4:40 the Lord gave the Israelites this command: “Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time.” Does this mean God gave Israel the Promised Land in perpetuity? This passage contains a conditional offer. Israel would have the Promised Land as they kept God’s “decrees and commands.” The Israelites had to obey God’s statutes in order to remain in the land. History reveals that the Israelites often disobeyed, resulting in temporary times of exile from their land. However, the end of this passage notes that God is giving Israel the Promised Land “for all time.” The Hebrew phrase translated “for all time” is a general statement, likely in reference to God’s original promise of a land to Abraham in Genesis 12. There are both a conditional and unconditional aspect to God’s promise. God offered blessings within the Promised Land conditionally, related to the Israelites’ obedience. Yet God also made an unconditional vow that Israel would have the Promised Land “for all time.” How long is “for all time”? In the book of Revelation, we see Israel as a central focus. In the end times, Israel faces many difficulties, yet that tribulation concludes with the Messiah reigning from His throne in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel. The book concludes with a new heaven, new earth, and new Jerusalem. The promise of Deuteronomy 4:40 is a far-seeing promise, extending to the end of this world’s existence and even into the time of the new earth. Many other passages of Scripture support the fact that Israel will possess the Promised Land forever. For example, God spoke to Isaac in Genesis 26:3, saying, “Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham.” The Lord also spoke to Jacob in Genesis 28:13–14 with similar words: “There above it stood the Lord, and he said: ‘I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.’” See also Psalm 132:14; Isaiah 14;1; and Zechariah 2:3–5, 10–13. Some have suggested that, because of God’s promises to Israel concerning the Promised Land, Christians should support the modern nation of Israel without reservation. Christians have many reasons to support the people of Israel, but this does not mean Christians must agree with every political decision made by the modern Israeli government. Instead, the focus is on God’s spiritual restoration of Israel (Romans 11:26) and the enduring promise to His chosen people. GotQuestions.org Genesis 13:16 “I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered. Ge 12:2,3 15:5 17:6,16,20 18:18 21:13 22:17 25:1-34 26:4 28:3,14 Ge 32:12 35:11 36:1-43 46:3 Ex 1:7 32:13 Nu 23:10 De 1:10 Judges 6:3,5 1Ki 3:8 4:20 1Ch 21:5 27:23 2Ch 17:14-18 Isa 48:18 Isa 48:19 Jer 33:22 Ro 4:16-18 Heb 11:12 Rev 7:9 Genesis 13 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries YAHWEH'S PROMISE OF UNCOUNTABLE DESCENDANTS I will make your descendants (zera; Lxx = sperma) as the dust of the earth - Note the two divine promises were (1) land and (2) descendants. Abram means "exalted father," but at the time of this promise he had no offspring. Note that the Hebrew descendants (in both uses in this verse) is masculine singular and is translated in the Septuagint (Lxx) with sperma in the singular. Dust is one of three similes God uses to describe Abram's descendants as innumerable, the other two terms of comparison being the stars in Ge 15:5 and the sand of the seashore in Ge 22:17. Bob
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Wiersbe - When you trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, God gave you “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ’’ (Eph. 1:3+). You now have your inheritance! All you need do is appropriate that inheritance by faith and draw on “His riches in glory’’ (Phil. 4:19+). The Word of God is the “will’’ that tells you how rich you are, and faith is the key that opens the vault so you can claim your inheritance. 🙏 THOUGHT - I AGREE WITH WIERSBE OF COURSE, BUT WOULD JUST ADD THE CAVEAT THAT BY FAITH REFERS TO FAITH THAT OBEYS. IN OTHER WORDS, YOU CAN SAY YOU HAVE FAITH, BUT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE OBEDIENCE ENABLED BY HIS SPIRIT, YOUR FAITH IS, AS JAMES WOULD SAY, "DEAD FAITH" [Jas 2:17, 26+] AND WILL NOT LAY HOLD OF "EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST." Wenstrom adds that "In Genesis 13:14-17, we see Abram trusting the Lord’s promise to give him the land of the Canaanites who were at the time of the promise occupying the land. Therefore, he was going to have to walk by means of faith and not sight and trust the Lord to come through on His promises, even though it appeared that this promise would be impossible to fulfill, but with God nothing is impossible. The circumstances did not look promising but Abram trusted in the Lord to deliver on this promise because he knew the Lord was omnipotent. The principle of faith: (1) God speaks (2) We hear His Word (3) We obey His Word. (Genesis Verse by Verse) Vance Havner - After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram …” (Gen. 15:1). After what things? After Abram had obeyed God and moved to Canaan (Gen. 12). After he had obeyed God and separated from worldly Lot (Gen. 13). After he had obeyed God and refused to let the world reward him (Gen. 14). The word of the Lord always comes to such men after such things. (See Consider Him -- 100 short devotionals) Genesis 13:18 Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD. Mamre: Ge 14:13 18:1 Hebron: Ge 23:2 35:27 37:14 Nu 13:22 Jos 14:13 Joshua 10:36 altar: Ge 13:4 8:20 12:7,8 Ps 16:8 1Ti 2:8 Genesis 26:25 - built Genesis 33:20 - altar Exodus 6:3 - Jehovah Genesis 13 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries Related Passages: Genesis 26:25 (ISAAC) So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well. Genesis 33:20 (JACOB) Then he erected there an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel. Exodus 6:3 and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them. Hebrews 11:9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; Genesis 14:13 Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram. Genesis 18:1 Now the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. Source: Abraham: Following God's Promise ABRAM BUILDS A SECOND ALTAR Then - When is then? After he had lifted his eyes to look (Ge 13:14) and then lifted his feet to walk in obedience to the commands of God. Now he lifts his heart to God in worship and thanksgiving. Abram moved his tent - Abram was moving his tent at the "stops and go's" of the LORD, Who had just commanded him to arise and walk about the land. And came and dwelt by the oaks (aka "terebinth") of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD (Jehovah/ Yahweh; Lxx = kurios) -- Notice Abram builds an altar to Yahweh, but no house for himself, being content with his tent! The oaks of Mamre was a grove of terebinth trees owned by Mamre the Amorite who was in an alliance with Abram in Ge 14:13, 24+. Hebron means "alliance," "association," "confederacy" and seems to speak to the alliance Abram made with the pagans in this area. It is interesting to note that an altar would have been a more permanent structure than a tent. Note also that the altar served two purposes: (1) It was for personal worship and (2) The altar was Abram's public testimony to the pagans, a clear witness that there is One living and true God. 🙏 THOUGHT- One can imagine the pagans asking Abram "What is the purpose of this altar?" Will we see any of these pagans in Heaven? We will have to wait and see! Heaven will be a most fascinating place as we see those we did not expect to see there and sadly do not see those we expected to see there! Will you be there? Have you made a profession of Jesus Christ which falls short of a "possession" of Jesus Christ? Paul writes a sobering warning in the form of two commands "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you–unless indeed you fail the test?" (2Co 13:5+) See also How can I know for sure that I will go to heaven when I die? | GotQuestions.org The first altar Abram built was in Shechem at the oak of Moreh, close to the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim (Ge 12:7). From Shechem Abram went to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar. (Ge 12:8). In Ge 13:3-4 Abram returned to this altar after backsliding into Egypt. Finally, here at the oaks of Mamre about 2 miles north of Hebron (and about 20 miles south to southwest of Jerusalem) Abram builds his third altar to the LORD. This became Abram's primary residence, and later the residence of his son Isaac (Ge 18:1; Ge 23:2; Ge 35:27; Ge 37:14). QUESTION - What is the significance of Hebron in the Bible? ANSWER - The ancient city of Hebron, today called Al-Khalil in Arabic, was located approximately 20 miles south of present-day Jerusalem in the Judean valley (See Wikipedia). Hebron is significant in the Bible for a couple of reasons. Hebron is first mentioned in Genesis 13:18 as a place where Abram (later known as Abraham) traveled after parting company with his nephew Lot. At Hebron the Lord first showed Abram the land that would belong to him and his offspring (Genesis 13:14–17). Later, after the death of King Saul, God told David to go to Hebron, and it became the city where David ruled over Judah for seven years because at that time the Jebusites controlled Jerusalem (2 Samuel 2:1–4, 5:3). After his wife, Sarah, died, Abraham still lived in Hebron, which belonged to the Hittites (Genesis 23). He wanted to bury Sarah there, so he approached a man named Ephron and asked to buy a cave for a burial site. Abraham was so well-respected among the Hittites that they offered to give him any cave he desired. But Abraham insisted on paying full price, and he selected an area called Machpelah, owned by a man named Ephron. Again, Ephron tried to give Abraham the cave, but Abraham insisted on paying full price. “So Ephron’s field in Machpelah near Mamre—both the field and the cave in it, and all the trees within the borders of the field—was deeded to Abraham as his property in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of the city. Afterward, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave in the field of Machpelah near Mamre (which is at Hebron) in the land of Canaan. So the field and the cave in it were deeded to Abraham by the Hittites as a burial site” (Genesis 23:17–20). This cave in Hebron is also called Kiriath-Arba, and, later, Abraham was also buried there (Genesis 25:10); and Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob (Genesis 47:29–30), and Leah (Genesis 49:30–32). The cave of Machpelah in Hebron is considered by the Jews to be the second holiest site in all Israel. Today it is under Palestinian control and is known to Jewish inhabitants as the Cave (or Tomb) of the Patriarchs. Muslims refer to it as the Sanctuary of Abraham. The land around Hebron was part of the allotment Joshua gave to Caleb when Israel took the Promised Land (Joshua 14:13). Hebron was a reward for Caleb’s faithful service and loyalty to the Lord. Caleb probably desired Hebron because it may have contained the “valley of Eschol” from which the spies had brought great clusters of grapes as proof of the land’s bounty (Numbers 13:23). Hebron was later designated as a city of refuge (Joshua 20:1–7). Hebron became the capital of Judah, and from there David reigned for seven-and-a-half years. During David’s reign in Hebron, Abner, the former commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth across the Jordan River and set him up as king of Israel. Eventually, however, Abner defected to David’s side and vowed to bring all of Israel under David’s control (2 Samuel 3:8–12). When Joab, David’s commander learned of this, he was certain Abner was only spying for Ish-Bosheth (2 Samuel 3:24–25). He also hated Abner for killing his brother Asahel at the battle of Gibeon, so he set out for revenge. Joab met Abner in Hebron and pulled him aside under the pretext of having a private conversation. When they were alone, Joab stabbed Abner in the stomach and killed him (2 Samuel 3:27). David was grieved at the news of Abner’s death and pronounced a curse on Joab (2 Samuel 3:28–29). After Ish-Bosheth was assassinated, David meted out justice against the assassins in Hebron; in this way, David’s integrity became known throughout all Israel (2 Samuel 4). David was eventually declared Israel’s rightful king, and he moved his capital from Hebron to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:1–5). David’s son Absalom made Hebron his headquarters while he plotted to steal his father’s kingdom (2 Samuel 15:7–9). Absalom had spent time cultivating loyalty from Israel’s people, then moved his nefarious plot out from under his father’s eye in Jerusalem. He appointed himself king in Hebron, striking fear in David’s heart (2 Samuel 15:10, 14). David fled as Absalom moved from Hebron to Jerusalem to take control of the capital. He may have wrongly thought that, since it had worked for David to begin his reign in Hebron, it would also work for him. Absalom forgot an important truth: David had been anointed by God to rule Israel; Absalom had not. As significant as Hebron was to his ancestors, a cave full of ancestral bones could not replace that anointing. Absalom’s brief stint as a self-appointed king of Hebron did not lead to future success, and he died in disgrace (2 Samuel 18:9–14). Regardless of a city or nation’s great history, unless God’s presence and blessing are on it, it holds no power to bless its inhabitants. GotQuestions.org In Abram's day Hebron was the residence of the sons of Heth or Hittites. Hebron played a significant role in Israel's history It was a place of Residence—Abram dwelled in Hebron. Ge 13:18 It was a place of Rest—Abram buys a cave here for the future burial of his family. Ge 23:2-20 It was a place of Reconnaissance—It was scouted out by the spies. Numbers 13:22 It was a place of Ruin—It was defeated by Joshua. Joshua 10:1-37 It was a place of Relegation—This city was assigned to the Levites. Joshua 21:10-13 It was a place of Refuge—It was designated as a city of refuge. Joshua 20:7 It was a place of Reward—Caleb expels the Anakims and is given Hebron as a reward. Joshua 14:12-15 It was a place of Rule—Hebron was David's original capital. 2 Samuel 2:1-3 It was a place of Royal Birth—This was the birthplace of David's sons. 2 Samuel 3:2 It was a place of Rebellion—Absalom's rebellion was here. 2 Samuel 15:7-10 (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) Bob