Genesis 13

Genesis 13 tells the story of the separation of Abram and Lot. Chapter 12 had them moving to Egypt because of the famine. Chapter 12 also recorded an episode of a lack of faith from the Father of our Faith with Abram being so afraid of the Egyptians as to deny being the husband of Sarai. Things change in chapter 13. They move west out of Egypt and begin to prosper. The herdsmen for Lot and Abram begin to quarrel. Abram tells Lot that family shouldn’t quarrel and that there was an easy solution. He would give Lot and his clan the choice of which way to go and Abram would take his clan the other way. Lot went east and chose land that appeared to be better.
Verse 14 records that after Lot left God had Abraham lift up his eyes. He was to look in all directions and then was to walk the land. This actually was a legal process of claiming land in that day. This would eventually become the land of Israel that Abraham’s descendants would later claim and live there.
I am impressed with the confidence that Abram puts in God. He doesn’t argue for what appears to be the more fertile ground. Abram trusts God. The ground that wasn’t appealing to Lot was the chosen Promised Land. It wasn’t until after Lot left that God revealed this promise to Abram.
We can learn from this account that God can take things that from the outset may not look very appealing and fulfill His promise. When we trust God, He is faithful and will make good on His promises.
“Lord, help us to trust You more. Let us live under Your promises. I pray this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.”