Genesis 13:8-9–Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation

Posted by Seth on Jan 22, 2010 in Bible Study, Daily Devotions |

Genesis 13:8-9–Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation

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Welcome to today’s Daily Scripture Reading and Meditation covering Genesis 13:8-9 wherein we see an example of one man humbly blessing another in a relationship surrounded by difficulties.

Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

As disappointing as Abram was in the “family man” role in chapter 12, we see him stepping up to the plate and exercising a bit more wisdom here. It would have been interesting to know what his time with the Lord looked like after leaving Egypt. We’re told that he called upon the name of the LORD (V. 4) which perhaps included some time of repentance and refocusing.

The account here is in many ways a sad one, for Abram may have in many ways played the role of father to his nephew, Lot, whose dad had died years before. But not only had God blessed Abram with great riches, it seemed that the blessing extended to Lot as well to the point where their servants felt very crowded in traveling together. These frustrations could have escalated to a point where relationships were permanently damaged and each developed an attitude of “good riddance!” However, Abram was proactive as a leader to see that things didn’t get increasingly out of hand. Separate yourself from me, he says. And notice his humility in this action. Abram would have had the right to divide up the land himself, either making sure that they had an equal share of property or even giving himself the upper hand as the senior of Lot. But no, he put himself low and his own future into the hands of his younger relative: “You take what you like and I’ll head the other direction.” Lot took what looked nicer, but God took care of Abram just the same and would later even use him to come to Lot’s rescue.

We are reminded here of the great importance and worth of relationship. The investment and long suffering that we see Abram exercise is an example for each of us. I can think of so many occasions in life where there have been opportunities to tell someone off when they’ve been in the wrong or give up on a person who seems so very reluctant to grow as a believer or just simply as an individual in general. When I have stuck with them, there has often come that later realization that it was worth it, that blessing came in some form from the maintaining of that relationship. There have been times where I have not persevered with someone and later wished that I had. And to put things in perspective, I know people have exercised great patience with me on numerous occasions. Relationships are worth the work, my friend…they are worth it. Imagine where we would be if God did not show us daily mercy. Imagine if He had decided that the sacrifice of Jesus was not worth our salvation; where O where would we be. Thank Him and praise Him today.

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