GENESIS 13 SEPARATION There is a difference between a spiritual mind and an upright natural mind. For some time, we may hardly be conscious of the distinction when people live similar lives of honesty and uprightness. They may act in similar ways in the normal course of life and their ways of speaking may be even more or less the same. As time passes and experiences in life affect a person’s health, well-being, or financial status, gradually differences are seen that demonstrate the outward actions and the inward convictions of each person. A separateness develops that is distinct as time passes. The separateness becomes so obvious and the verdict comes to light so clearly, that the time has arrived to “come out from among them and be ye separate says the Lord.”
God knew all along the distinction, but we have to be convinced ourselves to stop the temptation to be unequally yoked to another person, religion, church group, or political affiliation. Abram walked with God, but Lot walked only with Abram. Lot was able to maintain for quite a long time the same manner of life as Abram. From Haran to Canaan, from Canaan to Egypt, from Egypt to the Negev, and from the Negev back to Bethel, Lot walked along with Abram. He had prospered by being with Abram and he knew that was the reason. When we get to the high ground where the altar is and where sacrifices are made, that exposes the difference between a righteous natural man and a man of faith in God. On the high ground, the earth is watered by God. That is in great contrast to the well-irrigated plains of Jordan.
Events in life bring out the hidden things of the heart. Abram had returned in faith to where he got off track and left for Egypt. When he was awakened by the rebuke of an unbelieving idolater, he returned to the place where he could get back in fellowship with God. Lot came back with him too because he had “hitched his wagon” to Abram. He had not been linked in faith to God. In faith, we may labor to bring that which is of natural righteousness into unity with that which is spiritual, but it won’t work. We may think that which is outwardly good, springs from that which is righteous within, hoping there is a spiritual tie. But God who knows the heart of every person, and who is longsuffering, shows the spiritual person what is real and what is missing.
Abram left Egypt with his material prosperity increased and Lot also came back with his own material prosperity increased. Abram knew he had to get back to the altar he left. Lot came with him to be able to pick up where he had left off. He had herds, flocks, and tents in abundance. Abram had that too, but he was also “rich in silver and gold.” The outward evidence of blessings from God may be similar between two people, but the inward forms of truth relating to God, redemption, and divine life are where lasting blessings lie and where there is real spiritual life.
Living on the high ground has its difficulties at times, and people of true faith experience some of the heartbreak of loss and the pain of serious events the same as other people. But they know God is there, and by His grace and power, they stay the course with Him while others turn to a different course in life. Those whose outward life is upright is the controlling factor of their lives, sooner or later will find it impossible to continue to walk with people of faith. It is then they gradually or quickly, resolutely press forward on their own to “do their own thing.” Without an “Abram” to walk with, and without faith and a spiritual mind and heart, they go to the “well-watered plains of Jordan,” to find what they think they have been missing, deprived of, or “brain-washed” to accept as truth. Separation does not change the fact that we have some things in common because of our background or the “ties of nature.” When we must choose to walk by faith or by sight, all that Egypt has to offer, and what we got from being in the world system, wins over the heart of the natural man. The great blessings of grace, and the simple demands of grace and living by faith, lose their attraction. The restlessness of the world and the flesh motivated by the devil, lead the “Lots” of this world to go toward Sodom.
The path of faith on which believers remain may seem quite lonely for a while, as we watch the backs of those who were near and dear to us get smaller and smaller as they walk downhill and get closer and closer to Sodom. Those who separate because they want to walk by sight, soon begin to walk by self- will away from the light of the word of God, and ignore the truth and the life it gives us. Before long what they first saw and then chose, becomes their dwelling place. They make their new home in the world and are separated from God and His people.
What are the people who live by faith to do? We cannot change the choices of those who do not walk in the Spirit and choose to ignore the teaching of divine truth in the scriptures. Our only action is to “lift up” our eyes and look to Him who is eternally unchanging. He bids us look into the distance in every direction and see all that we have in Christ now, as well as what the future holds. We will do what we can for “Lot” without interfering with the choice he made.
Abram was first promised land that God would “show” him. When he got there, God promised to “give it” to him and his seed forever. He was told to walk through it so he could see for himself, and in a measure, experience what the future held because he believed in God and could see by faith, the value of what he was given.
To follow the Lord and live by faith may have some high costs, like the loss of friendships, family joys, and fellowship. The other side of separation makes us look forward and far ahead into the future of our existence. It is there and then those who live by faith receive “a hundred-fold.” It is then “The trials of the road will seem nothing when we get to the end of the way.” Believers need to “Fix your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
REFUSING AND CHOOSING Gen.13. Renouncing the world. The choice of the flesh: dwelled in the cities; toward Sodom. The confession of faith: walk through the land.
1. v.1-4. Recovery from failure; went up out of the land of Egypt. Abraham retraces his steps until he is a stranger and pilgrim with his tent, a worshiper with an altar, and a dependent man calling upon the name of the Lord.
2. Result of failure: Lot went with him [12:4; 13:1; 13:5]. He was in the right position without personal exercise and faith in God.
3. v.5-9. Riches are a snare, “All their substance” [12:5]. “He was very rich” [13:2, 5-9]. Division and strife result.
4. v.8. Position of faith, “No strife.” Reveals Abraham’s heavenly-mindedness; reveals Lot’s worldly-mindedness.
5. v.10-13. Choice of the flesh: Lot leaves Canaan forever.
6. v.14. Confession of faith: “Lift up thine eyes.”
INSIGHTS INTO REAL LIFE A Serious Problem, v.5-6. This is the first mention of riches in the Bible, and sure enough, riches bring problems. There is no sin in being wealthy, but wealth increases the responsibility of believers. If riches are not used properly with a sense of stewardship from the Lord, but of personal ownership, they can soon lead a person into sin. Riches can lead to family quarrels and even conflict with the governments as well as with other people. A Deplorable Strife, v.7. People moved by human nature, will always endeavor to gain the best for themselves, even though they may be upright and generous in many ways. Those around us often look for and are secretly glad, when there is strife between Christians. Pointing fingers of accusations against Christians has become a choice way to excuse personal sin. A Generous Proposal, v.8-9. Faith takes the initiative in solving problems. To suffer loss and give benefit and favor to others, may seem to be foolish at the moment. People of faith take a long view of things and events. Abram had recovered from his fall in Egypt and was now back to where he had received the promises of God, and enjoyed fellowship with God. He could well afford to be magnanimous because he was a friend of God with all the resources he needed were provided for by God. A Selfish Choice, v.10-13. Lot took Abram at his word and made his choice for what he thought was to his advantage. We all make decisions and if we are not careful, some are made without careful thought of the consequences of the decision. “What will be the moral results to my family if I do this?” “What’s wrong with allowing my children to do what the children of other people do? After all, they have got to learn how to deal with the sinful world the way it is.” Material, social and financial gains are not good reasons to choose them above commitment to a church, the Gospel, and the blessing of other people. Some mistakes in decision-making affect my family, my life and testimony, and perhaps other people for generations. A Divine Revelation, v.14-17. Being alone after separations take place, may at first make us wonder if we made the right decision. In our solitude, we are inclined to lift up our eyes and see things from God’s perspective.
- God gives us a whole new prospect
- God gives us a wonderful promise
- God grants us a great possession
At the Altar.
- We see differences in believers. We can discern the contrast of living by faith or by sight; of living for God’s interest or self-interests; of having whole-hearted faith and obedience or earthly ambitions.
- We see differences between believers. We will have differences of opinion at times. Instead of insisting on others agreeing with me, I should in faith “esteem others” better than myself.
- We see differences for believers. We may get what we want from earthly prosperity, but happiness and fellowship with God will be forfeited. When we put God first, in His own time and way, He increases our spiritual desires and spiritual blessings.