When Abram’s father Terah took Abram and Lot out of the land of Ur, he would have had his reasons for taking them both: companionship for each other may have been a primary one. After Terah’s death the two must have prospered tremendously. How might this have affected their relationship?
Preparing the Bride for GOD’s Story
How do we prepare as the Bride of Christ? One aspect is to learn GOD’S STORY. He created us in His image…. Piece by piece, and peace by peace, we learn to walk as He has walked. And we learn His perspective.
Genesis 13: 5-11
“Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.
So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.
And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.”
Prosperity Problems
It seems the family did well in the land, too well perhaps. There was strife because their flocks grew beyond the support the land could provide.
Abram took his nephew aside and offered Lot his choice of land. And Lot took what he saw was best. And he went on his way.
Abram gave to avoid conflict, “because [they were] brethren. Not a sign of greed but rather of wisdom and perhaps pain as well. Mustn’t it have been a sad day when Lot left?
Avoiding strife
Once in our household, my family: husband, son, and I, were at the front door and about to leave the house. I have no recollection as to why but we were arguing. And I simply said (probably somewhat emphatically), “Please LORD, let there be no more strife in this household.”
I think it convicted us all, because going forward, the strife — the tenancy to bicker — stopped.
Praise GOD!
When there is strife, there are ways to avoid it. I believe the best way is to acknowledge it and to pray.
Consequences
I’m sorry for Abram losing his nephew’s company. And yet, it was Abram that inherited the promise of the land where he remained: Canaan.
Perhaps the LORD was waiting for Lot to separate from Abram. Perhaps Abram needed to be on his own, in order to build his own relationship with GOD, and for his faith and character to grow. Remember, GOD instructed Abram to leave his homeland and family, and yet he took Lot with him. That may never have been a part of GOD’s plan.
Sometimes, GOD waits for particular conditions before He sets His plans in motion.