How Will You Decide?
Genesis 13:1-18
Message #3
How do we make our decisions?
What guides us in our decisions?
What drives us in our decisions?
When we need to make an important decision:
Do we take what we think we know
And then add to that what we think we feel
And add in a little bit of what motivates us
And then make the decision that seems best to us?
Are the decisions we make mostly clear-cut decisions? We look, we see, we calculate, we choose. And how often, using that clever decision method, do we find ourselves in a bad situation, just like Abraham did in our last message?
The question today is: how will you decide?
And in our last message, Abraham made a logical, easy decision. There was a famine in the land God had put Abraham in. Everyone else was headed to Egypt to avoid the famine, and so Abraham simply did what everyone else was doing. He headed to Egypt (always a picture of the world). He headed to the world where his life would be easier.
That was a seriously bad decision, and Abraham almost lost his wife, Sarah, to Pharaoh’s Harem. But God saved Abraham from the clutches of Egypt, and because of how it went down, the Pharaoh sent them all away – very wealthy.
We pick it up today in Genesis Chapter 13.
Genesis 13:1–2 (NLT)
1 So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev (southern end of Israel), along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned. 2 (Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.)
The Hebrew word for “rich” (verse 2) means literally “very heavy.” It’s the same word used for the famine (last message) in Genesis 12:10.
The famine that sent Abraham to Egypt was described as “very heavy,” and now the wealth that he and Lot return from Egypt with is described as “very heavy.”
God calls both the extreme hardship of the famine and the extreme prosperity – both – very heavy. Maybe because they both require critical decisions to be made (and both are difficult), and Abraham drastically failed his first “heavy decision.” But remember, in the last message, we said Abraham’s faith was not perfect – but it was persevering, and we are going to see that clearly, today.
So, verses 1-2 say Abraham LEFT Egypt and traveled into the southern end of Israel. And then we read,
Genesis 13:3–4 (NLT)
3 From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel (North of Jerusalem), and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before. (When Abraham gets out of a bad decision, he returns to the last place he made a good decision.)
4 This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again.
In the last message, when Abraham made his own decision, there was no altar, no calling on the Name of the Lord. He just did what he thought was best, and it almost cost him dearly. But God helped him escape the Egypt failure.
When Abraham gets out of that bad decision, he immediately returns to the place where he had last built an altar and last worshiped the Lord Abraham immediately goes back to worshiping and calling on the Name of the Lord. And for us, when we are outside the Promised Land, outside of the place where God has put us, then what we have got to do is turn from there and get back to the place where we are right with God – get back to where we were last in right relationship with God. Abraham is immediately returning to a focus and dependence on God (this is a picture of repentance).
This is, again, why we say Abraham’s faith wasn’t perfect, but it was persevering. And here, Abraham returns one hundred percent to worshiping and depending on God.
But what about Lot? What about Abraham’s young nephew, Lot? Lot’s father had died, and so Abraham had taken Lot with him when God called him to leave UR. And you might remember that God told Abraham to leave his extended family behind, which Abraham did not do. And we saw Abraham’s father cause a substantial delay because he wanted to stay in Haran, and Lot will eventually cause much bigger problems for Abraham.
And we see the beginning of all the problems that Lot will cause right here in the next verse.
Genesis 13:5 (NLT)
5 Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents (a reference to servants).
Now, Abraham and Lot (both) had a lot of stuff, most likely from the Egypt debacle. And we think, “Oh if only I could have a lot of stuff, everything would be great.”
Becoming very wealthy is a problem. And I’m not saying there’s a problem with wealth. And God doesn’t say there’s a problem with wealth. What does Jesus say about money? The love of money is the root of all evil. When our hearts are owned by our stuff instead of God owning our stuff and us managing it, then usually, it creates real, real, real problems for us.
We think wealth can be a fix – and it can. If God makes you a giver, then he gives you money to give, and then your life is a blessing of giving. But if your flesh makes you a hoarder, then the last thing you want is money because you’re going to spend it all on yourself, and you’re never going to have enough. You just keep wanting more.
But stuff doesn’t make life easier; very often, stuff makes life harder. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, says may we just have enough – a roof over our head, clothes on our back, food on the table, and good relationships, and for that, we should be happy. But this isn’t about money; it’s about choices and making decisions. And if you love your stuff, that makes the chance of you making bad decisions – even higher.
So, not only did Lot return from Egypt with a bunch of stuff but also, IN Egypt, Lot had experienced the allure (the glamour) of the world, and it seems Lot loved both his wealth and the world of Egypt. And his love for those things was about to “determine his decisions” and “set the course” of his life and his family’s life.
Genesis 13:6 (NLT)
6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together.
Because Abraham and Lot both have a bunch of animals and servants, disputes began to break out between their herdsmen over the best land. Plus, the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also in the neighborhood. So, space for everyone’s stuff was getting a little tight.
Genesis 13:7 (NLT)
7 So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.)
So, a problem developed between Abraham and lot over their stuff.
And remember, Abraham has just stumbled hard in Egypt, but he has now returned to the Lord one hundred percent. He’s building altars and calling on the Name of the Lord, and he’s walking with God and worshiping God – none of which was recorded during his Egypt decision failures. And we are going to easily see the difference in Abraham’s “decision-making process” now that God is back on the throne of his life.
Genesis 13:8 (NLT)
8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives!
Abraham says, Let’s not make this about stuff. Let’s make this about us living in peace and unity. When Abraham left the Promised Land and ran to Egypt, it was because he felt he had to come up with his own plan to take care of his stuff. But Abraham is obviously not doing that here. He is not worried about his stuff, and he is not coming up with his “own plan.” Abraham is putting “God’s way” first, and he’s going to trust God completely.
And look at how Abraham does exactly that with Lot, trusting God completely to make his decision for him.
This is what Abraham said to Lot.
Genesis 13:9 (NLT)
9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”
This is a decision based on Abraham’s full faith and trust in God’s promises and in God’s plan. Abraham knows what God has promised him, and he believes it, and so he doesn’t feel like he has to fight for his own idea. Instead, Abraham is going to do things God’s way and let God work this decision out.
How do we let God make our decisions for us? It’s not like the fleece with Gideon. You can say, Lord, guide me. Lead me and guide me. Show me how you will make this decision for me.
Unfortunately, Lot is making his decisions based on an entirely different set of criteria. Here is what is driving Lot’s decision.
Genesis 13:10 (NLT)
10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
Abraham and Lot are at Bethel, near the highest point in Israel (you can see everywhere from there). And Lot “longingly looked” at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley. It was lush and green, just like the beautiful land of Egypt. So, on a mountaintop in Bethel where Abraham was worshiping God. Verse 10 says Lot “looked longingly” toward the fertile Jordan Valley in the direction of ZOAR. Zoar was one of the five cities in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah.
And to Lot, it looked like Egypt. It made him think of Egypt. “Oh, the good ol’ days in Egypt when I was acquiring all my wealth.”
Genesis 13:11 (NLT)
11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.
Lot made the seemingly easy decision to take the lush lands toward Sodom because they looked like Egypt, where Lot got all the stuff that he loved and all the stuff that he wanted to increase.
But this shows great faith and trust in God on Abraham’s part. Abraham made his decision by allowing God to make it for him. Abraham made his decision by putting his full faith and trust in God, and he followed God’s leading by humbly giving Lot the first choice.
Really what Abraham is doing here is saying, “God, show me where you want me by where Lot chooses.” He is taking his hands off the situation and saying, “Okay, Lord. I’m going to watch because my eyes are set on you. I’m focused on you, and I trust you to lead and guide me.”
Canaan was the land of God’s Promise
Egypt was the land of the World’s Promise
Abraham was looking to God to make his decision
Lot was looking at the allure of the world to make his decision
Abraham was looking UP to God
Lot was looking BACK to the world
And that’s how we make our decisions. Either looking up to God and trusting God or looking back to the world and using our own fleshly logic.
Genesis 13:12 (NLT)
12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. (that’s the five cities of Sodom)
Now, geography is important right here. In the Jordan Valley east of Bethel (that Lot first picked out) were wonderful fertile lands, and they were far north of Egypt and far north of Sodom. But here, in verse 12, it says, “Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom…” Lot did not have to move to Sodom. He could have stayed far north of Sodom (Jordan Valley).
But first, Lot fell in LOVE with his stuff.
Then he started STRIVING for his stuff.
Then he looked longingly BACK at where he got his stuff.
Then, finally, he MOVED back to WHERE he got his stuff.
Again, it’s not about money – it’s not about that. It’s about what drives your heart. This is what drives Lot’s heart. And so, whatever we have that drives our heart besides God, the Bible calls it an idol. So, it’s not just money; it’s whatever drives your heart besides God.
Lot thought very highly of Sodom and of the material blessing of his future there. But here is what God says about Sodom.
Genesis 13:13 (NLT)
13 But the people of this area (near Sodom) were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.
This is a setup for the rest of the story (later). But for today, it’s a study in contrast. Abraham and Lot both came out of Egypt. But Abraham came out determined to worship God and follow God, and Lot came out missing the world and longing for its pleasures, and THAT is how they both made their decisions.
Lot made his decision for himself.
Abraham made his decision for God.
And Abraham’s actions with Lot show his complete faith in God in this decision, and it is at this time that God is going to re-confirm his Covenant with Abraham.
Genesis 13:14–15 (NLT)
14 After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west.
15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.
Abraham was still near the highest point in Canaan, and from this point, Abraham could see it all. And God says lift up your eyes and look not to the world (as Lot is doing) but to my promise. Look around you because I’m giving this all to you and to your descendants forever!!! Abraham has returned to the Lord after a huge stumble in Egypt, and God’s promise to him is still the same.
Genesis 13:16 (NLT)
16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted!
Abraham is an old man at this point with a wife just as old and unable to have children, and God says, I will give you so many descendants that they cannot be counted (like the dust of the earth).
God is reminding Abraham of the covenant he has made with him, and God is assuring Abraham that God will bring his covenant to pass.
And God makes the same thing to us when we are truly saved. That moment we are adopted by God, that we become part of the New Covenant, God does that for us. He says, “I know you from beginning to end. And I chose you, knowing you, I chose you, and because I know you – I chose you. Because I see your life from the beginning, I chose you. You still have a responsibility. You still have to come back to me. But my choosing of you, my election of you, is sovereignly guaranteed.”
And then God has Abraham complete a little real estate transaction.
Genesis 13:17 (NLT)
17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.”
In the centuries following this time, this is how a piece of land was transferred. The seller and the buyer would walk the boundaries of the land to settle the transaction, and so this is part of God’s confirmation of his covenant promise to Abraham.
And finally, our text today began with Abraham worshiping God, and it’s going to end with Abraham worshiping God.
Genesis 13:18 (NLT)
18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the Lord.
Abraham would spend much of his life right here, and God would bless him here, and God would bless his flocks, servants, and people. Abraham built another altar here, and Abraham would continually worship the Lord here.
There is a stark contrast here between how Abraham and Lot made their decisions in this critical moment in their lives.
Abraham made his decision with a vertical focus. He was in tune with God one hundred percent of the time.
Lot made his decision with a horizontal focus. He was in tune with himself and the world one hundred percent of the time.
How will you decide?
If the Holy Spirit has been bringing a decision to your mind during this message, how will you decide?
Will you decide in tune, in alignment, and focused first on your relationship with God?
Will you decide in tune, in alignment, and focused first on yourself and this world?
How will you decide?
What guides us in our decisions?
What drives us in our decisions?
When we need to make an important decision:
Do we take what we think we know
And then add to that what we think we feel
And add in a little bit of what motivates us
And then make the decision that seems best to us?
Are the decisions we make mostly clear-cut decisions? We look, we see, we calculate, we choose. And how often, using that clever decision method, do we find ourselves in a bad situation, just like Abraham did in our last message?
The question today is: how will you decide?
And in our last message, Abraham made a logical, easy decision. There was a famine in the land God had put Abraham in. Everyone else was headed to Egypt to avoid the famine, and so Abraham simply did what everyone else was doing. He headed to Egypt (always a picture of the world). He headed to the world where his life would be easier.
That was a seriously bad decision, and Abraham almost lost his wife, Sarah, to Pharaoh’s Harem. But God saved Abraham from the clutches of Egypt, and because of how it went down, the Pharaoh sent them all away – very wealthy.
We pick it up today in Genesis Chapter 13.
Genesis 13:1–2 (NLT)
1 So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev (southern end of Israel), along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned. 2 (Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.)
The Hebrew word for “rich” (verse 2) means literally “very heavy.” It’s the same word used for the famine (last message) in Genesis 12:10.
The famine that sent Abraham to Egypt was described as “very heavy,” and now the wealth that he and Lot return from Egypt with is described as “very heavy.”
God calls both the extreme hardship of the famine and the extreme prosperity – both – very heavy. Maybe because they both require critical decisions to be made (and both are difficult), and Abraham drastically failed his first “heavy decision.” But remember, in the last message, we said Abraham’s faith was not perfect – but it was persevering, and we are going to see that clearly, today.
So, verses 1-2 say Abraham LEFT Egypt and traveled into the southern end of Israel. And then we read,
Genesis 13:3–4 (NLT)
3 From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel (North of Jerusalem), and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before. (When Abraham gets out of a bad decision, he returns to the last place he made a good decision.)
4 This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again.
In the last message, when Abraham made his own decision, there was no altar, no calling on the Name of the Lord. He just did what he thought was best, and it almost cost him dearly. But God helped him escape the Egypt failure.
When Abraham gets out of that bad decision, he immediately returns to the place where he had last built an altar and last worshiped the Lord Abraham immediately goes back to worshiping and calling on the Name of the Lord. And for us, when we are outside the Promised Land, outside of the place where God has put us, then what we have got to do is turn from there and get back to the place where we are right with God – get back to where we were last in right relationship with God. Abraham is immediately returning to a focus and dependence on God (this is a picture of repentance).
This is, again, why we say Abraham’s faith wasn’t perfect, but it was persevering. And here, Abraham returns one hundred percent to worshiping and depending on God.
But what about Lot? What about Abraham’s young nephew, Lot? Lot’s father had died, and so Abraham had taken Lot with him when God called him to leave UR. And you might remember that God told Abraham to leave his extended family behind, which Abraham did not do. And we saw Abraham’s father cause a substantial delay because he wanted to stay in Haran, and Lot will eventually cause much bigger problems for Abraham.
And we see the beginning of all the problems that Lot will cause right here in the next verse.
Genesis 13:5 (NLT)
5 Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents (a reference to servants).
Now, Abraham and Lot (both) had a lot of stuff, most likely from the Egypt debacle. And we think, “Oh if only I could have a lot of stuff, everything would be great.”
Becoming very wealthy is a problem. And I’m not saying there’s a problem with wealth. And God doesn’t say there’s a problem with wealth. What does Jesus say about money? The love of money is the root of all evil. When our hearts are owned by our stuff instead of God owning our stuff and us managing it, then usually, it creates real, real, real problems for us.
We think wealth can be a fix – and it can. If God makes you a giver, then he gives you money to give, and then your life is a blessing of giving. But if your flesh makes you a hoarder, then the last thing you want is money because you’re going to spend it all on yourself, and you’re never going to have enough. You just keep wanting more.
But stuff doesn’t make life easier; very often, stuff makes life harder. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, says may we just have enough – a roof over our head, clothes on our back, food on the table, and good relationships, and for that, we should be happy. But this isn’t about money; it’s about choices and making decisions. And if you love your stuff, that makes the chance of you making bad decisions – even higher.
So, not only did Lot return from Egypt with a bunch of stuff but also, IN Egypt, Lot had experienced the allure (the glamour) of the world, and it seems Lot loved both his wealth and the world of Egypt. And his love for those things was about to “determine his decisions” and “set the course” of his life and his family’s life.
Genesis 13:6 (NLT)
6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together.
Because Abraham and Lot both have a bunch of animals and servants, disputes began to break out between their herdsmen over the best land. Plus, the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also in the neighborhood. So, space for everyone’s stuff was getting a little tight.
Genesis 13:7 (NLT)
7 So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.)
So, a problem developed between Abraham and lot over their stuff.
And remember, Abraham has just stumbled hard in Egypt, but he has now returned to the Lord one hundred percent. He’s building altars and calling on the Name of the Lord, and he’s walking with God and worshiping God – none of which was recorded during his Egypt decision failures. And we are going to easily see the difference in Abraham’s “decision-making process” now that God is back on the throne of his life.
Genesis 13:8 (NLT)
8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives!
Abraham says, Let’s not make this about stuff. Let’s make this about us living in peace and unity. When Abraham left the Promised Land and ran to Egypt, it was because he felt he had to come up with his own plan to take care of his stuff. But Abraham is obviously not doing that here. He is not worried about his stuff, and he is not coming up with his “own plan.” Abraham is putting “God’s way” first, and he’s going to trust God completely.
And look at how Abraham does exactly that with Lot, trusting God completely to make his decision for him.
This is what Abraham said to Lot.
Genesis 13:9 (NLT)
9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”
This is a decision based on Abraham’s full faith and trust in God’s promises and in God’s plan. Abraham knows what God has promised him, and he believes it, and so he doesn’t feel like he has to fight for his own idea. Instead, Abraham is going to do things God’s way and let God work this decision out.
How do we let God make our decisions for us? It’s not like the fleece with Gideon. You can say, Lord, guide me. Lead me and guide me. Show me how you will make this decision for me.
Unfortunately, Lot is making his decisions based on an entirely different set of criteria. Here is what is driving Lot’s decision.
Genesis 13:10 (NLT)
10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
Abraham and Lot are at Bethel, near the highest point in Israel (you can see everywhere from there). And Lot “longingly looked” at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley. It was lush and green, just like the beautiful land of Egypt. So, on a mountaintop in Bethel where Abraham was worshiping God. Verse 10 says Lot “looked longingly” toward the fertile Jordan Valley in the direction of ZOAR. Zoar was one of the five cities in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah.
And to Lot, it looked like Egypt. It made him think of Egypt. “Oh, the good ol’ days in Egypt when I was acquiring all my wealth.”
Genesis 13:11 (NLT)
11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.
Lot made the seemingly easy decision to take the lush lands toward Sodom because they looked like Egypt, where Lot got all the stuff that he loved and all the stuff that he wanted to increase.
But this shows great faith and trust in God on Abraham’s part. Abraham made his decision by allowing God to make it for him. Abraham made his decision by putting his full faith and trust in God, and he followed God’s leading by humbly giving Lot the first choice.
Really what Abraham is doing here is saying, “God, show me where you want me by where Lot chooses.” He is taking his hands off the situation and saying, “Okay, Lord. I’m going to watch because my eyes are set on you. I’m focused on you, and I trust you to lead and guide me.”
Canaan was the land of God’s Promise
Egypt was the land of the World’s Promise
Abraham was looking to God to make his decision
Lot was looking at the allure of the world to make his decision
Abraham was looking UP to God
Lot was looking BACK to the world
And that’s how we make our decisions. Either looking up to God and trusting God or looking back to the world and using our own fleshly logic.
Genesis 13:12 (NLT)
12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. (that’s the five cities of Sodom)
Now, geography is important right here. In the Jordan Valley east of Bethel (that Lot first picked out) were wonderful fertile lands, and they were far north of Egypt and far north of Sodom. But here, in verse 12, it says, “Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom…” Lot did not have to move to Sodom. He could have stayed far north of Sodom (Jordan Valley).
But first, Lot fell in LOVE with his stuff.
Then he started STRIVING for his stuff.
Then he looked longingly BACK at where he got his stuff.
Then, finally, he MOVED back to WHERE he got his stuff.
Again, it’s not about money – it’s not about that. It’s about what drives your heart. This is what drives Lot’s heart. And so, whatever we have that drives our heart besides God, the Bible calls it an idol. So, it’s not just money; it’s whatever drives your heart besides God.
Lot thought very highly of Sodom and of the material blessing of his future there. But here is what God says about Sodom.
Genesis 13:13 (NLT)
13 But the people of this area (near Sodom) were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.
This is a setup for the rest of the story (later). But for today, it’s a study in contrast. Abraham and Lot both came out of Egypt. But Abraham came out determined to worship God and follow God, and Lot came out missing the world and longing for its pleasures, and THAT is how they both made their decisions.
Lot made his decision for himself.
Abraham made his decision for God.
And Abraham’s actions with Lot show his complete faith in God in this decision, and it is at this time that God is going to re-confirm his Covenant with Abraham.
Genesis 13:14–15 (NLT)
14 After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west.
15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.
Abraham was still near the highest point in Canaan, and from this point, Abraham could see it all. And God says lift up your eyes and look not to the world (as Lot is doing) but to my promise. Look around you because I’m giving this all to you and to your descendants forever!!! Abraham has returned to the Lord after a huge stumble in Egypt, and God’s promise to him is still the same.
Genesis 13:16 (NLT)
16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted!
Abraham is an old man at this point with a wife just as old and unable to have children, and God says, I will give you so many descendants that they cannot be counted (like the dust of the earth).
God is reminding Abraham of the covenant he has made with him, and God is assuring Abraham that God will bring his covenant to pass.
And God makes the same thing to us when we are truly saved. That moment we are adopted by God, that we become part of the New Covenant, God does that for us. He says, “I know you from beginning to end. And I chose you, knowing you, I chose you, and because I know you – I chose you. Because I see your life from the beginning, I chose you. You still have a responsibility. You still have to come back to me. But my choosing of you, my election of you, is sovereignly guaranteed.”
And then God has Abraham complete a little real estate transaction.
Genesis 13:17 (NLT)
17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.”
In the centuries following this time, this is how a piece of land was transferred. The seller and the buyer would walk the boundaries of the land to settle the transaction, and so this is part of God’s confirmation of his covenant promise to Abraham.
And finally, our text today began with Abraham worshiping God, and it’s going to end with Abraham worshiping God.
Genesis 13:18 (NLT)
18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the Lord.
Abraham would spend much of his life right here, and God would bless him here, and God would bless his flocks, servants, and people. Abraham built another altar here, and Abraham would continually worship the Lord here.
There is a stark contrast here between how Abraham and Lot made their decisions in this critical moment in their lives.
Abraham made his decision with a vertical focus. He was in tune with God one hundred percent of the time.
Lot made his decision with a horizontal focus. He was in tune with himself and the world one hundred percent of the time.
How will you decide?
If the Holy Spirit has been bringing a decision to your mind during this message, how will you decide?
Will you decide in tune, in alignment, and focused first on your relationship with God?
Will you decide in tune, in alignment, and focused first on yourself and this world?
How will you decide?