Genesis 13:5–13

Lot's story is one of the saddest in Genesis. It is worth noticing today. God has revealed to us the truth of our heavenly calling, and it is plain that there are many Lots. Outwardly he was with Abraham, but at heart he was not what Abraham was. Later he was outwardly with the men of Sodom, yet he was not a Sodomite either. He is a saint untrue to his sainthood! His was a downward course. Lot merely followed Abram. Abram walked with God; Lot only walked with Abram. How easy it is to walk where another's faith leads without any exercise of conscience!

Here we get the secret of Lot's later instability. He seems to have gone up with Abram rather than with God. So when he parted from Abram, he had nothing to lean on. Until then he had been moving under Abram's protection and guidance instead of standing directly before the Lord. When he lost Abram, he went astray.

In the case of Abraham and Lot their temporal riches became the occasion of division. We may well ask: where did these riches come from? When Abraham first set out on the path of faith, Lot went with him, and they took "all their possessions." But that caused no strife (Gen. 12:5). In Egypt, however, Abraham gains great wealth. After his restoration we read that he was "very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold."

God blesses them. The land is not able to support them both, so they cannot live together (chapter 13). They have flocks, and herds, and much cattle, and there is not room for them both — they must separate. Circumstances, whatever they are (here it is God's blessings), reveal this.

Lot made no advance in faith. As Abram's companion he claimed the same position — that of a pilgrim. But he did not have a pilgrim's ways. His herdsmen strove with Abram's herdsmen for the better pasture. Here was a sight for the Canaanite and the Perizzite, who still lived in the land! Two believers seemed to be in the same condition. Both made the same profession of obedience, leaving everything to follow God's call — and yet they cannot agree! The cause is soon seen. Where nothing disturbs it, very feeble faith can look as bright and strong as great faith. But nothing exposes the lack of faith like greed for earthly possessions, whether for ourselves or for our children.

To Abram the altar and the tent were inseparable. The tent spoke of his pilgrim character, while the altar showed that his links were with God and with heaven. The God of glory had called him out of his country and away from his relatives. In obeying that call, he judged the world to be an unsuitable home. At any moment he might have to welcome heavenly visitors. Lot had never shared in this heavenly calling. And indeed the path of faith is more often walked alone than in company.

"Some fell among thorns." There you have the world. The Lord names "the cares of the world" first, then "the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things." Lot and Abram both got rich by going down to Egypt, by unfaithfulness. They both came up with plenty. But it would have been better for Lot to lose everything than to lose Abram. He never had an altar afterwards.

How often the test today takes the form it did in the story of Abraham and Lot. As we read, "there was strife." We learn further that the immediate cause of the strife was their possessions. We do well to notice the twice-repeated statement that they were not able to dwell together. Notice too the deeply significant cause of the division: "for their possessions were so great." How often, since then, jealousy over one another's spiritual gifts or earthly riches has divided believers... Poverty might have led them to cling to one another; their riches became a cause of division.

God blesses them. The land is not able to support them so that they may dwell together. They have flocks, and herds, and much cattle, and there is not room for them both — they must separate. Circumstances, no matter what (here it is God's blessings), reveal this.

In the case of Abraham and Lot their earthly riches became the occasion of division. We may well ask: where did these riches come from? When Abraham first set out on the path of faith, Lot went with him, and they took "all their possessions that they had gathered." That was no cause of strife (Gen. 12:5). In Egypt, however, Abraham gains great wealth. So after his restoration we read that "he was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold."

The apparent cause of his fall was the strife between his herdsmen and those of Abraham. But the truth is this: when someone is not truly walking with a single eye and purified affections, he will find a stone to stumble over. If he does not find it at one time, he will find it at another... The strife between the herdsmen could easily have been settled without spiritual damage to either Abraham or Lot. For Abraham it only gave an opportunity to display the beautiful power of faith... But for Lot it was an opportunity to display the thorough worldliness of his heart.

Their possessions were too great to allow them to live comfortably together. Quarrelling began between their herdsmen (v. 7). At the same time the text notes that "the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land." Why are we told this? Surely because they would be watching, and likely to mock at the friction between brothers — especially brothers who believed in the living God. When believers quarrel today, the world is quick to ridicule the testimony of the Lord instead of admiring it.

There was something very far wrong when only their separation from each other could ensure their living without strife. We can be sure that the man of faith was not absorbed in his possessions. He would never have let his flocks and herds separate him from someone he could enjoy happy fellowship with in the things of God. The sad history of Lot that follows makes it plain. The strife between the herdsmen was bound up with the difference in outlook between Abram and Lot. One had his mind on the things of God, the other on present things.

We read that "there was strife," and the immediate cause was their possessions. Notice the twice-repeated statement that they were not able to live together, and the deeply significant cause of the division: their possessions were great. How often, since then, believers have been divided by jealousy over one another's spiritual gifts or earthly riches. The misuse of spiritual gifts divided the assembly at Corinth. The apostle could tell that assembly they were enriched by Him in all speech and all knowledge. Yet these very riches became a cause of strife and division. The apostle says there is envy, strife and division among them, and that they were puffed up, one against another (1 Cor. 1:5; 3:3; 4:6). Poverty might have led them to cling to one another; their riches became a cause of division.

The wealth of both Abram and Lot now raises a serious problem. Their possessions were too great for them to live together in comfort. Quarrelling began between their herdsmen (v.7). At the same time Scripture notes that at that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land. Are we told this because they would be watching, and likely to mock at friction between fellow believers, especially men who trusted the living God? If believers today quarrel, the world is quick to ridicule the testimony of the Lord rather than be impressed by it.

Lot was a follower of Abram more than of God. The land mattered to him more than obeying God's call, and his herdsmen fought with Abram's herdsmen for the better pasture. Would they have dared to fight with Abram's herdsmen if they had not known that their own master wanted the best of the land? Here was a sight for the Canaanite and the Perizzite who still lived in the land — two believers, apparently in the same position, making the same profession of obedience in leaving all to follow God's leading, and yet they cannot agree! The cause is soon seen. When nothing disturbs us, very weak faith looks as bright and strong as great faith. But nothing exposes the lack of faith like greed for earthly possessions, whether for ourselves or for our children.

We do not hear of Perizzites in this genealogy, though the name occurs in Gen. 13:7, Gen. 15:20, Gen. 34:30 and Ex. 3:8, 17. This seems to imply that they were not a separate race. They were rather people who kept out of the town life the Canaanites generally preferred, and stayed villagers — much as, later in Israel's history, religious separatists were called Pharisees.

There is no ground for inferring from these words, or from Gen. 13:7, that the Canaanites and Perizzites had already been driven out of the land when the writer lived. The words show that the first, if not the second, were in the land when Abram entered it, and that both were settled there when he came back from Egypt. We can easily understand that this was a trial to Abram. But he did not have to wait for Moses' day, still less Joshua's, to know that they and all the other intruders were doomed. No doubt their removal was still future. But the writer, like Abram, believed in Jehovah, who knows and reveals the end from the beginning.

Abram's whole concern in this matter was for the Lord's honour, kept up by brothers walking together in peace in front of the "Canaanite and the Perizzite." "Let there be no strife," he says, "between me and you … for we are brothers." Abram did not want to end the strife by demanding concessions from Lot. No; he was willing to give up everything himself — to surrender every claim, to sacrifice every advantage — as long as the strife stopped.

Lot made no advance in faith. As Abram's companion, he claimed to take the same position — that of a pilgrim. But he did not have a pilgrim's ways… Lot was a follower of Abram rather than of God. The land mattered to him more than obeying the call of God. His herdsmen fought with Abram's herdsmen over the better pasture… Where nothing disturbs, very feeble faith looks as bright and strong as great faith. But nothing exposes the lack of faith like greed for earthly possessions, whether for ourselves or for our children.

It is sobering that Scripture records "the Canaanite and the Perizzite were then dwelling in the land." It is as though the record points out how serious strife is in front of such unfriendly eyes and ears. Enemies are looking on. They note with barely hidden satisfaction the strife and contention that is all too common among the people of God. Contention is usually connected with something that belongs to us in this world. It is something the heart is set on. But having it will not help us grow; it does the opposite.

Abram's whole concern in that matter was for the Lord's honour. He wanted it kept up in the harmonious walk of "brethren" before the "Canaanite and the Perizzite." "Let there be no strife," he says, "between me and you… for we are brethren." Nor did Abram want to end the strife by demanding concessions from Lot. No; he was willing to concede everything himself. He would surrender every claim and sacrifice every advantage, as long as the strife stopped. And how does the Lord meet this self-sacrifice? He comes in, in the fullness of His goodness, and makes it up to him a hundredfold.

Lot was the nephew, he the uncle. It was to Abram, not to Lot, that everything had been promised; yet when the dispute arises, he stands up for no rights of his own. He knew his own wrongs too well. He had been down before the Lord, and is as far as possible from taking a high place, even with one who ought to have been subject to him.

Abraham is a restored man in a true position with a right motive. Lot, though in a right position, is only a follower of others. So the strife becomes the sad occasion of revealing Lot's worldly-mindedness. It also brings to light Abraham's heavenly-mindedness, which can give up the things that are seen… A man in a position he has no faith for will in the end become a source of strife among brothers. He had better separate from the man whose faith he cannot follow.

Abram says, "Is not the whole land before you?" Take what you want, let us not quarrel… The promise is my portion. I am a complete stranger here. The city of God is open in glory before me. His heart is on the promises of God, and everything else is nothing by comparison. It might look foolish to let Lot choose. The right to choose is Abram's own. But his heart is elsewhere, and his faith goes entirely free of earthly advantage.

Scripture solemnly records that the Canaanites and the Perizzites were then living in the land. It is as if we are meant to see how serious strife is in front of such unfriendly eyes and ears. There are enemies looking on. They notice with barely hidden satisfaction the strife and contention that is all too common among the people of God. Contention is usually connected with something that belongs to us in this world, something the heart is set on. But having it will not help us grow spiritually — it does the opposite... How beautifully we see this in Abram; he was completely free from the spirit of strife. He meets the spirit of strife with the spirit of surrender: he did not insist on any rights of his own.

Something was very wrong when only separating from each other could keep them from strife. We can be sure the man of faith was not absorbed in his possessions. He would never have let his flocks and herds separate him from someone he could have happy fellowship with in the things of God.

In every respect Abram had the right to the first choice, as we would say. He was the elder both in years and in relationship. He was the leading figure in the whole action that had brought them to this distant land. Lot was, as it were, only attached to him. He was noble and generous in surrendering his right to the younger man.

Abram says, "Is not the whole land before you?" Take what you want, let us not quarrel. The promise is my portion. I am a complete stranger here, and the city of God is open in glory before me. His heart is on the promises of God, and everything else is nothing in comparison. It might seem a foolish thing to let Lot choose. The right to choose is certainly Abram's own. But his heart is elsewhere, and his faith is entirely free of earthly advantage.

It is not merely that he chose the best part that makes our hearts condemn him, but that he made a choice at all... Lot was blind to all this, and he takes on himself to make the choice. Then, as we would expect from such a beginning, he chooses on an entirely worldly principle. He takes the well-watered plain for his flocks and herds, though that brought him close to the corrupt city.

Abram could say, in the generosity that comes from faith, "Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me"... but Lot was of another mind... Sadly, they were separated by more than distance, and we know the later history of Lot's fatal choice.

Notice how blessed it is to bow before the Lord and refuse to fight for our rights, however natural that is to the heart. The moment Abram gives up to Lot, the Lord appears again. Never was a gift given to man in such clear and generous terms as the one He now gives Abram... "Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever."

How sweet for Abram to have trusted in the Lord, leaving the whole question — apparently with Lot, but really with the Lord! When will we learn to be this simple and trusting? We will also learn at the same time that there is never a giving up of self that the Lord does not answer. He answers it in His grace, and in the sweet assurance of it to our souls, with a better gift still through Jesus Christ our Lord!

What then did Lot do? "He lifted up his eyes." This is always how we act when we are not under the direct power of faith. Whenever we lift up our eyes without God's direction, we are sure to go wrong. I say, without God's direction, because the Lord later tells Abram to lift up his eyes. But that was completely different from Lot's act. Lot's look was only the suggestion of human wisdom and foresight.

He should have depended on the Lord and so given the first choice to his uncle. Instead, "he lifted up his eyes" (v. 10) — but not high enough! He had no idea of asking the Lord's guidance.

Choosing by sight confuses the garden of the Lord with the land of Egypt. Just think of these two put together: "Egypt," and "the garden of the Lord!" What a contrast! The one is above and unseen; the other is below and visible. Jordan separates them.

Everywhere there was water for his flocks, without the work of digging wells. Most significant of all, it was "like the land of Egypt." Lot had followed Abraham into Egypt. There he picked up a taste for Egypt's pleasures, and so strengthened his desire for worldly ease and plenty... There was nothing gross or wrong in choosing a well-watered plain. But it proves that the heart is not set on the unseen land of God's promise. And the real danger of the well-watered plains is that Satan had raised up Sodom in the middle of them.

The plain of Jordan is "like the garden of the Lord" — like paradise: why should he not enjoy God's gifts in it? He forgets the fall, and that paradise is barred from man. He argues religiously enough. But under it all the real secret is this: it is "like the land of Egypt." How much of man's reasoning comes from his heart and not his head — a heart too far from God! It is significant that the verse adds, "in the direction of Zoar" — and that is exactly where Lot came.

On the surface all was pleasant and attractive. The view was matchless, the prospects reassuring. But there was one thing no human eye could see — the thoughts of God, and His counsels about the people of the plain.

He chose Sodom — the very place that was about to be judged. But how was this? Why select such a spot? Because he looked at the outward appearance, and not at the true character and future destiny. The character of the place was "wicked." Its future destiny was judgment — to be destroyed by fire and sulfur from heaven. Someone may say, "Lot knew nothing of all this." Perhaps not, and neither did Abraham; but God did. If Lot had let God choose his inheritance for him, God would never have chosen a spot He Himself was about to destroy.

"Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan" (Gen. 13); then he pitched his tent toward Sodom. Next he lived in Sodom (Gen. 14). On the eve of its downfall, "Lot sat in the gate of Sodom," in the place of honour there (Gen. 19:1) — a sad example of the earthly minded believer on a path of decline.

What then did Lot do? "He lifted up his eyes." This is always our way of acting when we are not under the direct power of faith. Whenever we lift up our eyes without divine direction, we are sure to go wrong. I say, without divine direction. Later we find the Lord directing Abram to lift up his eyes. But that was nothing like Lot's act, which was only the suggestion of human wisdom and foresight.

Without seeking direction from God, he chooses his path according to sight. "Lot lifted up his eyes and saw the Jordan Valley." It was a tempting sight, promising ease and plenty right away. Everywhere there was water for his flocks, without the labour of digging wells. The valley was so fruitful that it was "like the garden of the LORD." Most significant of all, it was "like the land of Egypt." Sadly, Lot had followed Abraham into Egypt. There he had acquired a taste for Egypt's pleasures, and so had strengthened his desire for worldly ease and plenty. So Lot chooses the whole Jordan Valley. He gives up the separate path — he never had faith of his own for it — and leaves the land of Canaan for good… The real danger of the well-watered plains is that Satan had built Sodom in the middle of them.

There is nothing openly wrong in his choosing a well-watered plain. But it clearly proves that his whole heart is not set on the promises of God. So he faces the test. And so, as God works out His purposes, character comes to light. Abraham's conduct springs from a simple faith that takes hold of God's promises and wants nothing else. Faith can give up. The spirit of a worldly mind takes all it can get.

Lot made no advance in faith. As Abram's companion, he claimed to take the same position — that of a pilgrim. But he did not have a pilgrim's ways. So Abram, after his return from Egypt and restored to his altar, begins to feel that Lot's presence is a hindrance. There was no true communion between them. Lot was a follower of Abram rather than of God. The land mattered more to him than obeying God's call… nothing exposes a lack of faith like greed for earthly possessions, whether for ourselves or for our children.

It was his own unfaithfulness that had placed Lot there. It was his unchecked desire for the good things of the world… "So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley." Then he pitched his tent toward Sodom. Next he lived in Sodom (Gen. 14). On the eve of its downfall, "Lot sat in the gate of Sodom," in the place of honour there (Gen. 19:1) — a sad example of the earthly minded believer on the path of decline!

Lot journeyed east, choosing for himself the well-watered plain of Jordan. Lot chose: Abraham left his interests in God's hands. Who was better off? History will tell us. Lot lifted up his eyes and coveted the best pastoral district for himself. Later Abraham lifted up his eyes too, but at God's command, to see the land that was his… His whole security for owning that land lay in God's promise. God gave him no other sign.

To be an overcomer, we must pay careful attention to where we live, to our surroundings. Isn't it significant that the Spirit of God mentions in Genesis 13:12 that Abraham lived in the land of Canaan, and that Lot lived in the cities of the plain? … No one can live in Sodom and stay untouched. Its corrupt air and polluting influences work on a man, for its people were wicked and great sinners before God. Poor Lot, by his associations, was helpless in the presence of the world.

In this episode we see Abram back at the moral height that had marked his start. Then he gave up Ur with all its comforts. Now he gives up the choicest part of the land of promise, content to remain a pilgrim, as long as he is in communion with God. His altar showed that he was in touch with God; his tent, that he still remained a pilgrim, though in the land of promise.

There is no mention of Lot ever building an altar or calling on the name of the Lord. Yet he was probably with Abraham where Abraham pitched his tent and called on Jehovah's name. When he chose the part of the land where he would live, there was no thought of putting the choice to God. Appearances swayed him… What looked like the land of Egypt appealed to Lot. He could not look by faith beyond the present, to see the plain as it would be after God had judged it. If he had had an altar, and had been in the habit of calling on the name of the Lord, he would no doubt have been spared the many snares he fell into.

Note in verse 12, Lot pitched toward — up to, even to — Sodom, but in verse 12 of the next chapter he was settled there.

The tent of a pilgrim pitched towards Sodom is a sadly out-of-place sight. Yet how many Christians are in that very position!

Notice Lot, who chose all the plain of Jordan and "pitched his tent toward Sodom" (Gen. 13:12). He has now taken a further step on his downward course, for here we read that he "dwells in Sodom." We may be sure Lot never intended to dwell in Sodom when he pitched his tent toward Sodom. But one false step leads to another. Drawing near to the world, he is soon in the world. Living in the world, he is caught up in its conflicts and falls captive to its power.

The walls of wicked Sodom, rising in the middle of those well-watered plains, were no barrier to Lot. He pitched his tent towards Sodom. He knew what company he would be keeping there, and it did not make him draw back from his choice… His eyes were fixed on the attractive scene. So he overlooked the tower of Sodom, which should have been like a warning finger raised among those inviting fields and gardens. The calm waters that made those plains so fertile were soon to reflect the fire and brimstone that would rain from heaven… His tent disappeared soon after it was pitched "towards Sodom." From the edge of Sodom to its gates is only one step. We find him sitting in the gate of Sodom, the place of honour and business in the ancient world.

In contrast to this, Lot saw that the plain, stretching towards Sodom and Gomorrah, was "like the garden of the LORD," and he embraced it, pitching his tent toward Sodom. The men of Sodom, however, excelled in wickedness, as verse 13 tells us. So it is clear that, though those cities were like the garden of the LORD, they were really a playground of the devil. Towards that evil spot Lot gravitated.

Whether Lot knew it or not, "the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD." The moral conditions were such that God could not tolerate them much longer. If Lot had been living in close fellowship with God, he might have felt something of what God felt about what was happening in Sodom... God's thoughts were on the lives of the men who lived in the cities of the plain. Lot's thoughts were taken up with the natural beauty of the land and its rich pastures. Little did Lot realise that before long the fair valley he was feasting his eyes on would be the scene of devastating divine judgment.

Already we have learned that "the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD" (Gen. 13:13). Now we learn that their sin cried out to the Lord for judgment, because it was "very grievous." God waits and is patient with the wickedness of men, but He is not indifferent to sin. It cries out to Him until at last it is ripe for judgment. But, even so, the Lord is slow to judge.

While Lot's worldly eyes were on the green pastures of Sodom, Abraham's heart was "desiring a better country." Lot pitched his tent towards wicked Sodom. Abraham's eyes were looking towards a heavenly city, and he pitched his tent that way — a city "whose builder and maker is God."

He may not have known what the people of Sodom were really like when he first left Abram. But he could hardly live in the cities of the plain without learning something of their wickedness. The decline had been gradual, yet the steps are clear. First came the choice of the pleasant, fertile plain. Next came the separation from the company of the man of faith. Then came living in the cities of the plain. Then he pitched his tent towards Sodom. Finally he lived in the wicked city. So long as Lot had his tents there was the appearance of his being a pilgrim, but even the outward show had gone when he lived in Sodom.

He wanted the easiest circumstances, and of course in Sodom he found the people who love the easiest circumstances, those who were "wicked, great sinners against the LORD." If we seek only to please ourselves, we will soon find company with the same unhealthy desires... Peter tells us about Lot, "that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds" (2 Peter 2:8).