13:1-13
Repeated phrases:
1. Abram and Lot both had lots of possessions v.1,2, 5, and 6. However, because of their wealth they needed to live separately to avoid to quarrels v.6,7, 9, 11. They lived in the foreign land and cannot afford to have quarrels between relatives v.7-8.
v.7 So there were quarrels between Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen. (Now the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land at that time.)
(NET) It tells in part why the land cannot sustain these two bedouins, and it also hints of the danger of weakening the family by inner strife.
Reflection: What seemingly a blessing to Abram and Lot became the family tension. Abram insisted that there is no quarrel between them and willing to separate and let Lot chose first. Abram sew that what was more important, namely, the peace within their family over the material possessions. That was a very wise decision because of the external dangers. However, Abram might suffered the lack of water and grass for his livestock. He probably had calculated that and still let Lot chose first. What is important to you? How can we have that kind of wisdom to see what is important in our lives?
v.4 This was the place where he had first built the altar, and there Abram worshiped the LORD.
Abram worshiped God again and again. God was the center of his life and therefore, he got the wisdom in him to make decision. God comes first, family (or peace with other people) second, and material possessions last.
2. When Lot made decision he picked the land which was well-watered. But twice, the Scriptures described Sodom as a place where the LORD would obliterated or the people there were extremely wicked.
v.10b He noticed that all of it was well-watered (before the LORD obliterated Sodom and Gomorrah)
v.13 13:13 (Now the people of Sodom were extremely wicked rebels against the LORD.)
(NET) The description of the sinfulness of the Sodomites is very emphatic. First, two nouns are used to form a hendiadys: “wicked and sinners” means “wicked sinners,” the first word becoming adjectival. The text is saying these were no ordinary sinners; they were wicked sinners, the type that cause pain for others. Then to this phrase is added “against the LORD,” stressing their violation of the laws of heaven and their culpability. Finally, to this is added "exceedingly,” translated here as “extremely”.
Reflection: How do you make decision? Do you see just the "well-watered" part of Sodom? Or do you see the "extremely wicked" part of her? The "well-water" part was probably more obvious and attractive to Lot than the "extremely wicked" part. Or Lot was not willing to find out about how the people were wicked rebels against the LORD.
I am reminded that not to be so attracted by money so that it will blinded me and seeing what is important to the LORD.
Audrey
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