Take Two: Genesis 13, Proverbs 4

The chapter begins by telling us that Abram left Egypt and moved back (northward) through the Negev (the South land) to Bethel and Ai, which is just northwest of the Dead Sea (Gen 13:1-4). Bear in mind that this was quite a journey with a lot of work involved. Abram had accumulated great herds and many herdsmen to care for them. As difficult as it must have been to travel from Egypt to Bethel, it must have been that much more difficult with the size of the herds.

After arriving at Bethel it became increasingly tense with Lot. He too had accumulated wealth and herds and many herdsmen. The two groups of herdsmen were striving with each other as they each sought to find the best grazing land for their herds (Gen 13:5-7).

Abram's solution was to humbly ask his nephew to choose a place to go and Abram would go the opposite direction. This showed incredible humility on Abram's part. Legally and culturally he could have chosen for himself the land and departed from Lot. He had acted as a father figure to Lot and assumed responsibility for him. He was the elder male in the clan, so he was the senior figure. Yet, he did not assert his rights. He gave Lot the pick of the land.

Lot chose the land to the east near Sodom (which had a reputation for wickedness even in that day, Gen 13:8-13). Abram remained in Canaan.

Gen 13:14-15 is the next land-blessing covenant statement by God. From where he was, God told him to look far to the north, the south, the east, and the west. All that Abram saw was given to him and his descendents by God FOREVER (Gen 13:15). This was not vacant or unoccupied land (Gen 13:7), yet God covenanted with Abram to give this blessing. Why?

I mention this only to shed some light on the conflict in the region today. God gave all of this to Abram and his descendents (Israel). We see the conquering of the land unfold later through Joshua (see our previous study). There are some today who question the moral authority of Israel to be where they are and to defend themselves. People talk about the "poor Palestinians" who simply want to have a home and Israel won't let them. This is not so. Israel was "deeded" all of the land of Canaan (its boundaries will be laid out in coming chapters). The land was occupied when it was deeded over; yet, God gave it to them. The Palestinians desire to eradicate Israel from the land completely...yet, it is Israel's land according to God. Both groups claim the land as their own, yet, God has spoken.

Some say that the US should step away from the matter and concern itself with domestic affairs; yet, God has said that he will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel (Gen 12:3). While the US is not Christian by nature, Christians who believe and affirm the word of God as authoritative for life must read this and determine that the land belongs to Israel. {The US piece is inconsequential. If it were the Russians or the Brazilians, or the Chinese aiding Israel, the Christian position would not change.} As such, we must side with righteousness. If someone were stealing your neighbors car, you would side with your neighbor against the one who steals. If the Word is true, and God has the authority to make declarations that are binding forever, and these declarations have nothing to do with "possession being 9/10s of the law," then the Christian conclusion is that Israel should use such force as is necessary to secure their homes and Christians should support them in every respect. (Just food for thought since the Gaza conflict is drawing attention increasingly in these days.)

Well, Abram received his blessing (re-affirmed) and moved to Hebron (Southward between the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean Sea) and there built an altar to the Lord.

Proverbs 4:25 is the takeaway today. There are some today who would advocate that the Christian life is one of simply "feeling" the moving of the Spirit and "rolling" with the ebb and flow of God's will. They would often interpret this to somehow diminish any intentionality in living. The Wise life, the Christian life, the life that God blesses...is an intentional life. It requires a commitment to discipline, a commitment to holiness, a commitment to love God supremely and to love others sacrificially. Be intentional about loving God and living for God.

Grace,