Lot’s Separation From Abram
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
6/10/2018 PM
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Text:
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Genesis 13:1-18
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Psalters: |
175, 97, 31, 401 |
- The strife.
- God had given to Abram promises of great blessings, which in the Old Dispensation was typified in physical prosperity.
- The strife began with Lot and thus with his herdsmen, as is evident from Abram’s attitude (8).
- Because each had such large herds, they began arguing over pasture and water.
- Consider Abram’s attitude in response to this God-given conflict (8,9).
- The separation took place with Lot choosing to leave Abram by selecting the wrong things.
- Lot boldly taking first choice, not even debating with Abram about it, exhibiting no self-denial.
- Instead he chose for the riches of this world determined by what he could see (10a). Lot walked by sight, not by faith.
- He refused to consider the spiritual threat of Sodom and Gomorrah for he “pitched his tent toward Sodom” (12b).
- Do we find the riches of this world so attractive and appealing?
- Abram exercised his faith, holding to God’s promise to give him (and his seed) the land of Canaan.
- Abram made no attempt to take it for himself (just like David the throne of Israel), but waited on God to give it to him.
- God immediately gives direct reassurance, which assurance comes in the way of his obeying God (14,15).
- God used the strife to separate Lot from Abram.
- The Abram of Genesis 13 has grown from the Abram of Genesis 12.
- May we learn to beware the Sodoms of this world, and to seek the kingdom of heaven and its righteousness.