창세기 Chapter 13

Translation: ESV

1

So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.

Key Message

Return after failure is possible; within God's grace, the way of restoration is always open.

▸Abraham returns to the land of Canaan after his failure in Egypt (Gen 12:10-20).

Abraham returns to the land of Canaan after his failure in Egypt (Gen 12:10-20). The word 'went up' (alah) refers geographically to moving from the lower elevation of Egypt to the higher elevation of Canaan, but theologically it also symbolizes rising from humiliation (failure) to restoration. Failure within God's grace need not be a permanent fall. Abraham returns with abundant possessions gained in Egypt, but that prosperity becomes the seed of new conflict.

Related Verses

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
5

And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,

Key Message

Blessing received in the shadow of another's blessing is real blessing, but when that blessing tests the relationship, the right choice is needed.

▸Lot also had become wealthy through going with Abraham.

7

and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.

Key Message

The conflicts of God's people affect God's name before the world; making peace is the best testimony to the world.

▸The context 'at that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land' hints that the conflict is not merely an internal family matter.

8

Then Abram said to Lot, 'Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.'

Key Message

The peace of a relationship is worth more than rights; resolving conflict begins with the humble concession of setting down material things.

▸Abraham is the first to propose reconciliation.

9

Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.

Key Message

One who trusts God's promise has no need to fight for land or material things; that trust enables generous concession.

▸Abraham hands the full right of choice to Lot.

10

And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

Key Message

What looks good to the eyes is not necessarily God's will; external prosperity cannot be the standard for right choice.

▸The scene of 'Lot lifted up his eyes' to look at the Jordan Valley has the same structure as when Eve 'saw that the tree was.

14

The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, 'Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward,

Key Message

God repays the one who concedes with a greater promise; concession according to God's will is never a loss.

▸God appears to Abraham immediately after Lot departs.

15

for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.

Key Message

God's promise is eternal; what one who concedes in faith receives is a larger and more permanent inheritance than any temporary gain.

▸God promises to give all the land Abraham can see 'forever' (le'olam).

18

So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.

Key Message

Responding to each new place reached in the journey of faith with worship is the pattern of Abraham's faith, and this should become our way of life.

▸After receiving a new promise, Abraham settles at Hebron by the oaks of Mamre and builds an altar.