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Genesis 13:1-18
1 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.
2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. 5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, 6 so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, 7 and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.
8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.
14 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.
Watch the Sermon
Summary: Last week we returned to our study in Genesis and saw Abram stumble right out of the gate. After God promised Abram that all the families of the earth would be blessed through him, Abram immediately shows his stumbling faith as he entered into Egypt and lied to try and protect himself. In chapter 13 we see that Abram is returning to faithfulness. He and his nephew Lot return back to the Bethel, where he was going back in 12:9.
Review and Apply
How does sin appear attractive but ultimately destructive? In what ways does it work like a bait and switch tactic?
When you fall into sin (anger, lust, pride, selfishness, etc.) how do you respond when you are caught? Do you beat yourself up? Do you try to pretend that it's not really that big of a deal? What should repentance look like?
When Lot chooses to go East toward Sodom and Gomorrah we get a foreshadowing that this is before those lands were destroyed. Lot's eyes lead him to believe this is the best option, but in going there he is leaving the land God has told Abram to dwell. Why do you think Lot would make the decision to go this way? Have you ever had an experience where something appeared like a good decision but in the end was not?
When God first promised Abram this land in 12:7, Abram built an altar and worshipped God there. He does this again in 13:18 in response to God renewing that promise. When you consider the promises of God, does it move you to worship Him? What does this form of thankful worship look like for you?
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