05.018. Chapter 13
Underlying Abram’s return to Bethel from Egypt (Genesis 13:1-4) was a return to fellowship with God. “Back to Bethel” is the rallying cry for all who have wandered from the Lord. The herdsmen of Lot and Abram quarreled over pastureland for their flocks. In true courtesy, kindness, and unselfishness, Abram offered Lot, his choice of all the land. Lot chose the lush pastures of the Jordan Valley, adjacent to the sin-cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Though a true believer (2 Peter 2:7-8), Lot was a world-borderer. As someone has said, he got grass for his cattle while Abram got grace for his children (Genesis 13:15, Genesis 13:18). The fact that the men of Sodom “were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly” didn’t restrain Lot in his choice. Notice the steps in his plunge into worldliness: He [his men] strove (Genesis 13:7); he beheld (Genesis 13:10); he chose (Genesis 13:11); he pitched his tent toward (Genesis 13:12); he dwelt—away from the place where God’s priest was (Genesis 14:12); he sat in the gate (Genesis 19:1). Soon Lot was a local official.
Abram renounced the choicest pastureland, but God gave all the land of Canaan to him and to his seed forever. In addition, the Lord promised him a numberless posterity. After settling in Hebron, Abram built his third altar to the Lord—always an altar for God, but never a house for himself!