Genesis 13:1-18

Abram’s journey to Egypt was prompted by a “famine in the land” (12:10). In this journey, we have something that foreshadows the coming of Israel to Egypt (47:1), the eventual deliverance of the people (Ex. 14), and the journey and return of Jesus and his family to Egypt (Matt. 2:14-15, 21). In all three cases, danger brought them back (Hosea 11:1).

13:2 | The Bible indicates that being wealthy is not a sin, but wealth seriously increases a believer’s responsibility. God’s people should view wealth with a sense of stewardship rather than ownership (1 Ti. 6:9-11; 1 John 3:17). In Abram’s case, the riches were in livestock, in silver, and in gold. There was no currency; coinage was not devised until the Persian period.

13:3 | Bethel comes from “Beth” meaning house and “El” meaning God. Combined it means “The House of God”.

13:7 | Abram and Lot had so much livestock that their herdsmen were at odds. The Canaanites and the Perizzites also used the grazing lands. Christians are supposed to live in such a way that unbelievers see them showing love to one another. Christian unity is their witness to a watching world (John 13:35; 1 Pet. 3:8).

13:8-9 | Abram had the rights in this matter, but he gave Lot first choice because they were brethren, or family (Ps. 133:1). Abram was not greedy and did not grasp for the best; he could allow Lot to choose first because he entrusted his future to God - the definition of walking by faith (Phil. 2:14; Rom. 13:9).

13:10-17 | In Hebrew, lift your eyes means “seek out, look with care” (22:4). Lot chose for himself what he believed to be the best land, yet this was the territory of Sodom and Gomorrah - two of the most perverse and exceedingly wicked cities at that time (2 Pet. 2:7-8; Jude 7). Lot’s selfish choice would prove disastrous, because over time it would draw him into Sodom’s ways. All decisions have implications beyond the moment.

13:14-15 | Abram waited until God spoke, and then he looked at the land before him (13:14). Despite Lot’s choice, Yahweh (the principal personal name of God in the OT) blessed Abram with far more land - the whole of Canaan and then vowed to give the land to Abram’s seed forever, a heightening of the promise in 12:7.