Gênesis 13

Gênesis 13

Meyer - Genesis 13:14 The Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him. Abram’s life was one of an ever-perfecting separation. But out of these experiences sprang his rarest joys. The separate and obedient soul may reckon on:— Fresh Revelation. — Whenever Abram dared to step out in obedience, the Lord spake freshly to him. But in Egypt we find no trace of the Divine voice. If God spake there, it would be in warning and rebuke. Has the voice of God long been silent to thee — no fresh command, no deeper insight into truth? See to it that thou art not in Egypt. Separate thyself, not only from Haran, but from Lot; not only from what is clearly wrong, but from all that is questionable; and the Lord will speak to thee things it is not possible for man to utter. Further Vision. — Lot lifted up his eyes to espy what would make for his advantage and well-being, and beheld only the plain of Sodom, which indeed was well-watered, but the seat of exceeding sin. But when Abram lifted up his eyes, not to search out aught for himself, but to see what God had prepared, he looked northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward — words which remind us of the length, and breadth, and depth, and height of the love of Christ. The single eye is full of light; the far climber gets the widest horizon; if thou wilt do his will, thou shalt know. Hundredfold Compensation. — Whatever Abram renounced, when he left his home, or gave Lot the right to choose, he received back in the usual measure of God, with an overflowing over plus. God gave him the entire land, including Lot’s portion. We can never give up for God, without receiving in this life more than we gave. W H Griffith Thomas - A Divine Revelation (Ge 13:14-17).. Genesis 13:5-18 The Separation ——'After that Lot was separated from him.' Abraham was now alone, and perhaps in his solitude he began to wonder whether he had done right, or whether his offer to Lot was due to weakness and the lack of true assertion of rights. There is often a temptation to reaction after a great moral decision has been made. Just at this time, then, and when he was alone, God came to him with Divine assurances and blessed compensation. The revelation of the Divine purposes was fuller than any that preceded it (cf. Ge 12:1, 7). Notice its three aspects:— (a) The prospect afforded (Ge 13:14). Lot had 'lifted up his eyes' (Ge 13:10), and with remarkable force and significant emphasis God says to Abraham, 'Lift up now thine eyes.' How different the action is in each case! Abraham's prospect was not only wider, but infinitely more glorious, because of the Word of God behind it. (b) The promise given (Ge 13:15, 16). For the first time God promises the land to Abraham himself. 'To thee will I give it'; hitherto the land had only been promised to his seed (Ge 12:7). Let us ponder these wonderful promises. They are to be interpreted literally and spiritually. They are already having their primary fulfilment in the Church of Christ as Abraham's spiritual seed (Gal. 3:7-9, 16), but there will surely be a literal fulfilment in the future to the Jewish nation (Ro 11:26-29). (c) The possession enjoined (Ge 13:17). Abraham is to 'walk up and down,' and, as it were, appropriate and claim for himself in detail that which God gives (cf. Josh. 1:3). The promises of God are to be appropriated by faith, and it is thus162 the purpose of God becomes realised in individual experience. 'Then Abraham moved his tent.' Immediately he responded to God and pitched his tent 'at Mamre, which is in Hebron.' Hebron means 'fellowship,' and we may spiritualise the thought by saying that prompt whole-hearted obedience always leads to fellowship with God. 'Built there an altar.' Again we see the real man in this simple, whole-hearted testimony to the Divine presence and promises. His tent and his altar indicate the pilgrim and devout life of the true child of God. 1. Differences in Believers.—What a contrast between Lot and Abraham! Except for 2 Peter 2:7, 8, we should have hardly credited Lot with any vital religion. Although 'righteous,' he is yet living by sight, seeking only his own advantages and pleasure; worldliness is his dominant characteristic, his one thought is the well-watered plains. He is a type and illustration of the Christian who is not fully consecrated—one who is trying to make the best of both worlds, endeavouring to stand well with God, while pushing to the full his own earthly interests. Yet one part of his life must necessarily suffer; so it was with Lot, so it is always. Contrast Abraham with his large-heartedness of spirit, his simple acceptance of God's promises, his wholehearted obedience to God's will, and his courageous testimony in the altar of worship. He is a type and illustration of the consecrated believer, the one who puts God first, and to whom God's presence, God's will, God's way are everything. These differences in believers are as striking and as puzzling to-day as ever, yet they ought not to exist in the Church of Christ. 2. Differences between Believers.—Even the children of God from time to time have their differences of opinion, which often lead to trouble and strife. If only they are met with magnanimity like Abraham's, they will soon be resolved. Note the New Testament emphasis on mutual submission (Eph. 5:21; 1 Peter 5:5). The Christian paradox of everybody submitting to everybody else would soon heal all dissensions between believers. Magnanimity in Abraham was the result of his faith in God. He could afford to be large-hearted because God was so real to him. Those who put God first will never be bereft of their just rights. God is pledged on their behalf (Prov. 3:5, 6). 3. Differences for Believers.—The results in the lives of Lot and Abraham were vastly different. Lot obtained what he wanted, earthly prosperity, but spiritually it may be questioned whether he was ever happy after making that choice. There was no witness for God, no real blessing on his home, and in the end came spiritual and social disaster. Abraham's experience was very different; God became an increasing reality to him, there was a glory and power in his life, and we are sure that he never regretted his action in putting God first. God's children always experience His Divine favour and blessing in proportion to their faithfulness, and if we are inclined to question and seek for the reason of differences in the spiritual experiences of the children of God we may find them in the difference of response to God on the part of His followers. CONTRAST BETWEEN ABRAM AND LOT ABRAM LOT Walked by faith Walked by sight Generous Greedy Spiritual desires Worldly desires Looked for a city built by God Looked for a city built by man and destroyed by God. Heir to the world Lost everything Man of aspiration Man of ambition Covets righteousness Covets success Source: Rod Mattoon - (Mattoon's Treasures from Genesis - hardbound copies are scarce - here is the very affordable digital version - this is an excellent resource for lay readers, Sunday School teachers, etc) 🙏 THOUGHT - The chart is a nice contrast of two men, but it begs a question or response from each of us. In which column would you place yourself? Genesis 13:15 for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever. Ge 12:7 15:18 17:7,8 18:18 24:7 26:3,4 28:4,13 35:12 48:4 Ex 33:1 Nu 34:2,12-29 De 26:2-4 34:4 2Ch 20:7 Ne 9:7,8 Ps 37:22,29 Ps 105:9-12 112:1,2 Isa 63:18 Mt 5:5 Ac 7:5 Genesis 13 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries Related Passages: Genesis 12:2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; Genesis 12:7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. JEHOVAH'S GIFT OF LAND TO ABRAM'S SEED FOREVER for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants (zera; Lxx = sperma) forever (NLT = as a permanent possession) - This was the LORD's third appearance to Abram (Ge 12:2, Ge 12:7) and the second time Yahweh makes the promise of the land but now adds "forever." So not only would Abram receive the promised land but all his offspring would receive it forever. Wenstrom on all the land which you see - The phrase “all the land which you see” is a reference to the land of Canaan, which is tract of land, which covers all Palestine west of the Jordan (Num 34:2-12) and whose western border is the Mediterranean Sea. The natural boundaries of Canaan as expressed in the Bible extend from the Negev in the South to the northern reaches of the Lebanon Range in Syria and the land west of the range and of the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea. “Your descendants” refers to regenerate Israel and does “not” refer to the Arabs nor the church since only regenerate Israel was promised the land of Canaan. The land grant was a gift and could not be purchased since the Lord is the Creator and Possessor heaven and earth (cf Ps 115:15-16, Ge 14:19) (Genesis Verse by Verse) Wenstrom repeats that "Your descendants” refers to Abram’s “national” posterity (Gen. 18:18), which is regenerate (born again) Israel that would originate from Abram and Sarah’s son Isaac and Isaac’s son Jacob and does “not” refer to the Arabs nor the church since only regenerate Israel (ED: NOT EVERYONE WOULD AGREE WITH THIS INTERPRETATION WHICH HE MENTIONS TWICE) was promised the land of Canaan."