“The Faith of Abraham – 3” Genesis 13:5-13 10/11/2009 Dane Boyles

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” After his return to Canaan from his disastrous trip to Egypt, a conflict arises between himself and his nephew Lot. How this conflict is settled is a reflection of Abram’s character. How we deal with those reveals more about our characters than we want to admit.

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” A TROUBLESOME PROBLEM. The Cause of the Problem. 5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. (Genesis 13:5)

Genesis 13:6 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together.

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” The Course of the Problem. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. (Genesis 13:7)

“The Faith of Abraham – Part 3” Trouble is always a certainty when the focus of life is on self, individual right, or to the things of this world (Heb. 12:2)! If you want to know the true character of any person, just see how they respond in a time of crisis or conflict!

“The Faith of Abraham – Part 3” A TENDER PROPOSAL (vv. 8-9). 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. (Genesis 13:8)

“The Faith of Abraham – Part 3” It Involved a Plea for Peace. They Were Brothers. 34 …Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) The best course of action is to forgive and to forget!

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” The Heathen Were Watching (13:7b). This presented a dual problem in the face of the conflict. It placed both Abram and Lot in danger. No doubt these people were keenly interested in Abram’s God. They would evaluate his religion by the effect it had on his life.

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” It Involved A Price for Peace. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” (Genesis 13:9)

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” We should never compromise the truth to please anybody, not even ourselves!

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” Involved a Promise for Peace (v. 9). How could Abram so easily give up the best of the land to Lot?

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” Abram simply did everything in his power to work out the problem. Above all, Abram knew that the advantage wasn’t in what he saw, but rather in his relationship with God.

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” A TRAGIC PLAN (vv. 10-13). Lot Lived By Sight. 10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) (Genesis 13:10)

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” Lot made his decision based upon what his eyes told him. He didn’t consult with the LORD; he just looked until he saw what pleased him and that is what he chose. It is a dangerous thing to live to fulfill the appetites and lusts of the flesh.

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” Lot Lived For Self. 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: (Genesis 13:11)

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” Lot’s choice demonstrated a total lack of regard for the needs of Abram. Church that is not a way of life that is pleasing to Almighty.

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” Lot Lived In Sodom. 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. (Genesis 13:12)

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD. (Genesis 13:13) Lot left the life of a pilgrim behind and settled down among the sinners of Sodom.

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” Conclusion These men needed to separate, but Lot chose the wrong path and he chose it with the wrong attitude. His choice led him down and cost him plenty. Abram’s choice brought him blessings and honor.

“The Faith of Abraham – 3” Genesis 13:5-13 10/11/2009 Dr. Dane Boyles