The
Book of Genesis
Lesson Verse:
I.
Lesson Introduction
A. This is chapter 13. Once we begin to read it we understand somewhat how people could conclude that 13 is an unlucky number. Look at Gen. 13:13. These people were not only sinners, but they were wicked. This makes them double bad, if the term existed.
B. If you ever wondered where the word sodomy came from, look no more. It came from the practice of those that lived in Sodom; Sodomites, Sodomy. If one lived in Sodom, there was a stigma that accompanied it.
C. Here in chapter 13 we find Abram burdened with some things that the world would not call unlucky. Abram is rich. He has cattle. He has servants. His wife has an Egyptian handmaid. All of these lucky things Abram got while in Egypt, a type of the world.
D. Chapter 12 found Abram in Egypt looking for relief from the famine. He found it. Here in chapter 13 the reader is introduced to riches, sodomy, and another warning to beware for we reap what we sow. This chapter also reveals more about the Abrahamic Covenant.
II.
Lesson – Abram’s Lot in Life
A. Back to Bethel (13:1-4) - Abram and Lot Leave Egypt
1. In Gen. 12:1 Abram found himself walking towards the Promised Land. By the time one reads to v. 5 he is there. The farther South he went he found himself in a famine. Here again is something that makes the bible a unique book. Instead of Abram heading back North once he encountered the famine, he continued walking South. He plodded on until he found himself going down into a country that is a type of the world seeking relief from the famine.
2. There is also something else quite peculiar about this particular passage in Gen. 12:10 that relates to the bible and its supernatural prophecy. In this passage we find numerology playing a role.
a. Numerology is the study of numbers and their significance.
b. If one studies bible numerology they realize that 12 is a Jewish number and 10 is a gentile number. For example there are 12 tribes, Apostles, gates to the city, etc. With the number ten there is the ten-toed image in Dan. 9, in Rev. 13 we find 10 horns represent 10 kings with 10 crowns. Furthermore we Gentile like to count by 10. In this verse we have the father of the Jews entering a country that is a type of the Gentile world.
c. How does that relate to Gen. 13:1? It is in this chapter that Abram went up out of Egypt. This is what is called a metaphor. When we go down into the world, we leave the presence of God. In order to get back with Him, we must come up out of the world and head back to the Promises of God.
d. Blood bought born again children of God must continually remember that we have no promises in the world. Our promises are heavenly. We should constantly ask self why we look for help from the world. We ought to be looking to the Lord.
3. Upon returning to Palestine he once again worshipped the Lord at Bethel ‑ right where he had left God's blessing by going to Egypt. (See Isa. 30:15; Rev. 2:4 5)
4. it was here God promised Abraham children, and the Messiah. The place had always been called ‘Luz’. But Abraham, because of the presence of God, called it Beth-el (the house of God)
5. Bethel was a very small village about 12 miles north of Jerusalem. The village itself was not impressive. It was just outside the village that Abraham spent time with God is sweet fellowship.
6. Bethel gets mentioned a lot in Scripture, but none more than in the life of Jacob, Abraham’s wayward grandson (Gen 28:19-22)
B. Bickering (13:5-7) ABRAM AND LOT SEPARATE
1. The servants of Abraham and his nephew Lot began arguing over grazing rights. Abraham was concerned about this and graciously allowed the younger man to pick his choice of land. Lot foolishly selected that area near Sodom. Lot now left the Promised Land, never to return.
2. Take note of reasons why contentions occur between people:
3. Lot Also Returned From Egypt With Many Belongings.
a. Nephew Lot is still tagging along with Uncle Abram. Lot is not willing to let go of this blessing. Abram, for reasons not known to us, is reluctant to tell Lot to go his way. It takes strife before Abram realizes what God is trying to tell him.
b. Many people are just like this today in their Christian service. They have some excess baggage that is weighing them down. This was Abram’s problems.
4. The land would not bear them.
a. Because of their great wealth the land would not bear them. They had so much that they were destroying the Promise Land.
b. Here again we find a wonderful teaching from our Lord regarding blessings. Even though Lot had nothing to do with God’s promises to Abram, Lot was blessed just by being in Abram’s presence. Many lost employers are blessed because they have dedicated Christians working for them.
5. There was much conflict between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot.
6. The property between nephew and uncle became so great that arguing was swiftly becoming a way of life with the herdsmen. Water and grazing rights were probably the predominant topics for the continuing tumult. What kind of testimony did this present to the inhabitants of the land?
7. There is one thing that is almost impossible to keep quite and that is an argument. Word got around that there was trouble. The inhabitants would not interfere. If both families killed each other off, that would be good for them.
8. Looking at this conflict Christians can learn some things to avoid. We must understand that the world is watching and laughs every chance they get. Why is this? They laughed at Jesus so it is no wonder they laugh at us also. However, one reason why they laugh is because of the false prophets running around and shyster preacher and church members with an attitude instead of a beatitude. It is so called religious folks such as these that are always causing turmoil in the church.
9. Paul told us to watch out, Gal 5:15. We should not allow church problems to be the talk of the town. Gossip is what the world offers. New Testament churches have the gospel. However, the world only broadcast the bad things from religions. Thing like priest abusing children, evangelist stealing millions from people via the television, pastors running off with other women, church member gossiping about other members on the job, and generally spreading discord among the brothers and sisters?
C. Resolution (13:8-11)
1. Abram tells Lot He wants peace, Rom. 12:18.
2. There is plenty of land so there was no need in there being strife between the families. Abram told Lot to pick the direction he would go and Abram would take the other.
D. Lot’s Eye Problem (13:12-13)
1. Lot Chose the Plains Of Jordan, v. 10.
2. Once again the down fall of a man is plainly outlined in three bold vivid steps by the Author of the bible. These steps down are tried and true.
3. Lot lifted his eyes towards the world (Sodom). Step #1 was he saw. Now Lot is a business man. His business is livestock. There are two things that livestock need and that is food and water. Lot makes a good sound business decision. He saw that the land was a fertile plain and well watered.
4. Now let us look at step #2. He liked the view (He coveted). So did King David when he looked across the roof and saw the woman bathing. If he is going to be in the livestock business he must have the land to take care of the animals. There is nothing wrong with this judgment call. What is wrong is the way he is priorities. His thoughts run parallel with the world’s mentality.
5. Here is step #3. He is in too far in to back out now. He chose, v. 11. Lot cast his lots in with the sinners. He knew what the population was like in this place and he chose it anyway. His logic is just like yours and mine: It will not affect me. I am stronger than that type of lifestyle.
E. God’s Reassurance to Abram (13:14-18)
1. God appeared to Abram for the third time and reassured him of a mighty posterity and of their eventual rights to Palestine.
2. Abram dwelt in the Land Of Canaan. The Land of Promise. The Land that God had lead him to.
II.
Conclusion
III.
Study Questions