The Chosen Key Word in this Chapter is “Strife” it comes from the Hebrew Word “riyb” which means “strife, contention, a quarrel.”
Two men, one land, and a choice that reveals what each of them really values. Welcome to Bible Life Basics Chapter Reviews, I am Chris and this is Genesis 13.
Abram returns from Egypt wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold. His herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen begin to quarrel, since the land cannot support both of their flocks together. Rather than fight, Abram offers Lot the first choice of land, an act of remarkable generosity given that Abram is the elder and holds God’s promise.
Lot looks toward the well-watered plain of Jordan, “even as the garden of the LORD,” and chooses to settle near Sodom, a city already known for wickedness. Abram remains in Canaan. After Lot departs, God speaks to Abram again, promising him all the land he can see, in every direction, and descendants as countless as the dust of the earth.
Abram moves his tent to Hebron, and builds another altar to the Lord there.
God’s instructions to Abram after Lot leaves are strikingly generous. He tells Abram to walk the length and breadth of the land, because all of it will belong to his descendants. This comes immediately after Abram gave up the better portion voluntarily. It is a pattern that shows up again and again in Scripture, generosity toward others followed by even greater provision from God.
Abram gave up the better choice out of peace and trust, and God met him with an even bigger promise right after. Lot chose based on what looked good on the surface. Sometimes the most faithful choice is the one that gives something up rather than grabs for more.
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