Genesis 13:5-135And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. 6And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 7And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. 10And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. (Genesis 13:5‑13)
“And Lot also, which went with Abraham, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle.” 10:5-7.
In Lot we see one who profits by his opportunities, wherever he may be, while Abraham shows us one who went out, as it is said, “not knowing whither he went.” Lot on the contrary took good care of where he was going, first with whom, and next when alone, he looked out well for what would be useful to his cattle, that is, to himself.
There was a strife between their respective herdmen. Lot was the nephew, and Abraham the uncle; besides the promises had been made to Abraham. Nevertheless, when the dispute arose, he stood up for no rights of his. He had learned too well his wrongs, and having been down before the Lord at Bethel, he is as far as possible from taking a high place even with one who ought to have been subject. His spirit here was most commendable. Why should he be in temporary conflict with Lot over the division of the land, when he was assured that the promises of God to him were far greater. Accordingly, he told Lot: “Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” verse 9.
Lot coveted what seemed to be, and we suppose it really was, the best of the land. A single eye is quick to discern that which concerns the glory of Christ, a covetous one is sharp enough to see its own interest. Those well-watered plains of Jordan, “like the land of Egypt,” appealed so strongly to Lot that he makes them his choice and he “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” Lot remembered what he had seen in Egypt, and the world in his heart responded to that which reminded him of it. But while the land of Lot’s choice outwardly appealed to the eye, we also read, “The men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.” verse 13. After all, Lot had made a bad choice. The Lord grant that we might learn a needed lesson from his poor example. Surely we will find no blessing from God if we go into the world, with its lusts and snares, to pitch our tent among the ungodly.
The word of God gives a very solemn warning; “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” Proverbs 4:14,1514Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. (Proverbs 4:14‑15). Again, “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil.” Proverbs 14:1616A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. (Proverbs 14:16).
Lot was not actually a wicked man; in fact, we read in Peter that he was “a righteous man,” but he was unwise, and being greedy of prosperity he placed himself in the neighborhood of the wicked. Perhaps he felt he would be able to resist the effect of what was around him and even improve Sodom. But like many a believer has proved since, he did not know his own heart, nor did he correctly estimate the power of the world in the hearts of the people of Sodom.
ML 04/04/1965