[And He Walks With Me] Genesis 13
1-4 Abram’s return trip from Egypt to Bethel was done in stages, as was common for nomadic herdsmen. They would travel a distance, set up camp, graze the animals for a time, and then travel a bit farther.
Again, we see the belief that deities were restricted to a certain geographic location manifested in Abram’s decision to trek all the way to Bethel and the site where he had built the altar before.
5-7 Abram and Lot now had a problem: the land was unable to support them as long as they stayed together. The shortage of resources caused quarreling between the herdsmen, which in turn caused conflict between Abram and Lot. In such situations, it is tempting to think we have done something wrong or are under spiritual attack. However, this problem was not caused by sin or evil attack. No, it was a problem caused by God’s blessing![21] Notice, the root cause was that they had so many possessions that they could not stay together. Living in God’s blessing does not inoculate us against problems. Rather, it may actually cause some problems! Therefore, we must not look at every problem as a bad thing. Rather, many problems are actually opportunities in disguise, challenges to overcome so that we may continue to experience the blessing of the Lord.
5-9 since we are relatives. Abram resolved to not allow the problem of vss 5-7 to cause a rift between himself and Lot. The relationship was more important than the stuff or the land. Therefore, he offered a solution: Separate from me. Sometimes, the best way to preserve a relationship is to create a little space in between.
In suggesting a solution to their problem, Abram was careful to be selfless. As the elder of the two, he had the right to choose which direction he wanted to go, but he gave that first choice to Lot. In saying if you go to the left, I will go to the right…, Abram put his nephew first and demonstrated godly leadership. In God’s economy, leadership is not always insisting on your way or benefiting yourself. In fact, it is often quite the opposite. Leadership is putting the team and the mission before self.
10-13 The Jordan River Valley begins at the Sea of Galilee and flows to the Dead Sea, where the river stops. The valley, however, continues south and widens into a plain. While the adjacent hill country can reach elevations of 3,000 feet above sea level, much of the valley is below sea level, and the Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth with an elevation of 1,412 feet (430.5m) below sea level. The lower elevation results in a warmer, more stable climate, and the availability of water enables the area to support lush vegetation in comparison to the surrounding areas.[22] To a nomadic herdsman, this presented a lucrative opportunity. By choosing the Jordan as far as Zoar, Lot ensured that his flocks and herds always had enough food and water.
Lot’s decision here had an unfortunate side effect. It ensured that his flocks and herds would have enough food and water, but it also meant that Lot journeyed eastward and they separated from each other. Throughout Genesis, east represented away from God (cf note on 3:22-24). Moreover, the separation from Abram meant that Lot no longer had a godly person present in his life to draw him back to the Lord. These decisions were then compounded when Lot lived in the cities on the plain and set up his tent near Sodom. The text makes a point to note that the men of Sodom were evil, sinning immensely against the Lord. Therefore, as Lot moved away from God and the godly influence of Abram, he moved closer to the men of Sodom and their sin. Lot’s one decision sent him into a spiral that would eventually cost him his home and his wife (see Genesis 19). This is a common problem for believers! They make one decision, and it moves them away from God. Then, instead of returning to the Lord, they compound that decision with the decision to move away from the influence of godly people. Inevitably, these decisions put them in closer proximity to sinners and sinful influences, beginning a spiral that eventually costs them everything that really matters!
14-17 Once again, God speaks to Abram and reveals two more key details of his plan for Abram. Both of these promises, however, required leaps of faith for Abram. I will give you and your offspring forever all the land that you see sounded great, but from where Abram was standing, he could see a multitude of towns, villages, and even cities. As a nomadic herdsman who lived in tents, it must have seemed a stretch! So also, I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth is a wonderful promise, but at the moment, Abram had no offspring. Moreover, he was not getting any younger. These promises must have seemed incredible in the moment. Yet, Abram believed. May my faith be so great!
18 Oak trees were substantially larger than most of the other trees in the area, so they were commonly used as pagan worship sites.[23] In this case, Abram built an altar to the Lord. That is, he followed the example of the pagan neighbors, but he adapted it to serve the Lord. Some secular practices can be redeemed if they are reframed unto the Lord.
Mamre was an Amorite who would formally align himself with Abraham and so receive God’s blessing.[24]
[21] Sproul 2016, Genesis 13:6)
[22] Keener and Zondervan 2016, Genesis 13:10
[23] Sproul 2016, Genesis 13:18
[24] Sproul 2016, Genesis 13:18