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For Abraham was
looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is
God. Heb.11:10
Abram went down (looking
for food) to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.
Gen.12:10 During Abram's time in Egypt the
Pharaoh gave him livestock, silver and gold and sent him
back to the land of Canaan.
Over time due to these inherited riches Abram eventually became very wealthy in livestock and servants as well as his nephew Lot. Eventually, the land could not support the livestock needs of both Abraham and Lot while they stayed together. Their herders began to quarrel over whom should get what. Gen.13:1-7
Over time due to these inherited riches Abram eventually became very wealthy in livestock and servants as well as his nephew Lot. Eventually, the land could not support the livestock needs of both Abraham and Lot while they stayed together. Their herders began to quarrel over whom should get what. Gen.13:1-7
Oh, how often does wealth get in the way of what is most
important. Abram took the high road and told Lot to take whatever he wanted and
he would take what’s left over.
Abram held things
loosely
Lot measured everything by the temporary values and chose the commercial walled city of Sodom which was much like the fertile ground of Egypt they has lived in. Abram accepted the rest of the surrounding parched land. Abram's values were based upon the realities of eternity, not the alluring and shallow passing fads of the immediate.
Lot measured everything by the temporary values and chose the commercial walled city of Sodom which was much like the fertile ground of Egypt they has lived in. Abram accepted the rest of the surrounding parched land. Abram's values were based upon the realities of eternity, not the alluring and shallow passing fads of the immediate.
Later, Lot was kidnapped by some local kings and despite
their separation and hard feelings Abram did not abandon him. Although Abram was highly
outnumbered, he risked his life and others’ to successfully rescue all of Lot’s
clan, the inhabitants of Sodom and Lot’s possessions. Gen.14:1-16
Ironically, Abe was safer in a tent than Lot was in a fortified city. After this dramatic rescue the king of Sodom wanted to reward Abram with much money. I love Abram’s response,
Ironically, Abe was safer in a tent than Lot was in a fortified city. After this dramatic rescue the king of Sodom wanted to reward Abram with much money. I love Abram’s response,
“I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.”Gen.14:23
It was not about Abram. It was about God.
What a contrast to today’s utilitarian culture. Genesis 13:13 tell us that the people of Sodom were wicked, yet later Abram prayed for the city for Lot’s sake and God permitted Lot to barely escape just in the nick of time. Abram loved Lot despite his worldliness.
What about you? Have you ever helped someone who did not thank you for all you’ve done for them and it got you into more trouble? Have you prayed for others only to see them do everything they could to run farther away from God?
This was Abram’s life
and ours’
In the midst of all this disappointment and years of waiting Abram’s trajectory was to trust God despite not seeing the fulfillment of God’s promise to provide a descendant for him. Are you waiting for something to happen for you too? Aren’t we all in some way or another?
Like Abram, we can get pretty tired of waiting for that something to happen. Join us next time as we see the trouble Abram brought on himself by not waiting for God's promise.
In the midst of all this disappointment and years of waiting Abram’s trajectory was to trust God despite not seeing the fulfillment of God’s promise to provide a descendant for him. Are you waiting for something to happen for you too? Aren’t we all in some way or another?
Like Abram, we can get pretty tired of waiting for that something to happen. Join us next time as we see the trouble Abram brought on himself by not waiting for God's promise.
