“When we stop making choices in God’s direction, our only option is to make choices in the wrong direction.”*

The Wealth of Two Men

One of the most amazing things I find about the Bible is it’s timelessness. There, is, to quote Solomon “nothing new under the sun”. For every situation we face bringing us challenge and pain can almost always be found in scripture. Today, I find my circumstances not totally unlike that of Abraham and Lot some 4000 plus years ago.

Sometimes I wonder had Lot knew how his story would be told in the book of Genesis would he have made different choices.

Lot was Abraham’s nephew. Lot’s father had died when he was young so he fell under Abraham’s care.

(As a quick side, I wonder if back then, Lot’s therapist worked him through all of his issues. You know, the root cause(s) for his selfish and stupid choices by helping him to see all his problems were emanating from the fact his father died when he was young, hence he needed to work these issues through in order to start finding peace and happiness in life. Probably not. The god of Freud had yet to make his way to the stage.)

My thoughts today come from the story in Genesis 13.

In this period Abraham and Lot came to an impasse.

They had both accumulated significant properties and wealth. As such, the land simply couldn’t support them both.

“But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together.” Genesis 13:6

Demonstrations in Character

I personally believe Abraham was a man of character.

In light of this new dispute between he and Lot Abe made the first move. He went to Lot and said, in essence, let us separate ourselves. You look over the land and choose which you will find most pleasing and take that. I will take whatever is left.

“Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives!  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.” Genesis 13:8-9

It’s here we see the kind of men both are. And in this, there’s a lesson. A lesson for right and wrong, proper and improper. A lesson in selfishness and sacrifice.

Lessons in Character and what both good and bad look like to me.

Most importantly, lessons in making the RIGHT choices and the consequence for making the wrong.

Please allow me to elaborate just a tad.

The Higher Position

In our scenario above, Abraham is the Patriarch of the family. He is the one chosen by God to lead this family. His age, seniority, and calling by God put him in the highest position in the family. A spot many of us now hold in our own families.

His integrity and character are demonstrated in many ways, not the least of which is the fact that he took his nephew under his wing to protect and raise upon the death of Lot’s father.

I am confident this undertaking required sacrifices on his part to make room for this kid. Sacrifices, in my view, he was under no real obligation to commit.

And even now, as adults, we see Abraham’s humility on full display.

Abraham was fully within his linear right in this case to take first for his possession the lands which HE desired.

It would have been totally correct, given his place within the family at this moment in time to determine first which land HE would take and then tell Lot “You can have that land”; the leftovers.

But this is not at all what he did.

He stepped aside and gave the option of first choice to his nephew instead.

Amazing, but a true example of humility and self sacrificial behavior.

A Lesson in Selfishness

“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.) 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.” Genesis 13:10-11

Lot’s character is revealed in his choices.

As he looked over the land, he took the absolute best share of the land.

Instead of deferring to his uncle, instead of considering Abraham (the patriarchal figure in his life, the leader) and his needs, instead of considering what would be just and “fair” here, he chose selfishly.

He demonstrates greed, selfishness and short sightedness. You see, the land he chose would put him near the land of sin known in that day as Sodom. And even the most basic recall of the bible and it’s stories is sure to include the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. At this time, even then, the city of Sodom was known for it’s horrible influence on people along with it’s depravity.

Lot chose selfishly in all aspects which later would cost him dearly.

God Honors Integrity…”After”

While our story certainly doesn’t end here, I will call this to a close by observing the following. An observation which occurred to me today in my study.

“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. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.  And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted!  Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” Genesis 13:14-17

Abraham put aside his “rights” and his own desires to instead humbly allow his Nephew to choose first the lands which he would take; in essence giving Abraham the leftovers.

But, it’s just like the Lord to show up and bestow incredible favor upon one of his chosen.

I mean read that set of verses again. Look at all the tremendous blessing and favor.

Amazing.

After Abraham stepped aside to allow Lot…

After Lot had left and gone on his merry, selfish (likely gloating) way…

God shows up and says in essence, Abe, it’s all yours.

There’s no mention of Abraham developing an attitude “After ALLLLL I’ve done for that kid, can you believe this?”

Nope, he just seems to go on about his business. God shows up and honors Abraham’s integrity.

The Cost of Choices-Closing Thoughts

Over the past 18 months or so, I have personally been dealing with scenarios somewhat similar in nature to this story. I have tried hard to put aside my pride and not let the choices of those involved affect my heart and mind.

It’s not been easy and I have not fared nor done well in my overall thinking related to my position in our family. I have felt slighted, taken advantage of, and worse yet, taken for granted.

I have been humiliated, snubbed, and treated with contempt. Half truths have been promoted creating a less than favorable view of my choices and actions, my character and integrity, over the past 2 years or so.

Often, I have felt like king David. I have felt it, frankly far too often over the course of my life from those with whom I have been closest (similar to, I would assume, Abraham and Lot). Just when I think I have healed from one such event, another comes out of what seems to be left field bringing, yet again, pain; a pain that has now become all too familiar. Commonplace for me and I wish this were not so.

“It is not an enemy who taunts me—
    I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—
    I could have hidden from them.
 Instead, it is you—my equal,
    my companion and close friend.
 What good fellowship we once enjoyed
    as we walked together to the house of God.” Psalm 55:12-14

In this story of Abraham and Lot I find a bit of encouragement. If I am to model my life after Abraham, I can take respite in knowing God will handle matters.

If I study this story closely, I can find assurance that indeed, God will honor my choices to honor him; to stand firm against the world and it’s lure for approval.

This is our life. We are to humbly put other’s and their desires ahead of our own, as Abraham did here.

We can choose to hope for the best, trust those in our lives to make the best decisions.

When we do, it would seem, historically, we can expect them to crap on us. We can expect them to choose themselves and their desires, even if it’s in direct conflict with God’s best, with his desires; even if it causes us great pain.

This can hurt.

It can crush us (per David).

Yet, as evidenced in the way God showed up AFTER Lot left and was gone (another lesson in letting go for another day), God WILL take care of us.

David says later in the same Psalm 55

“Give your burdens to the Lord,
    and he will take care of you.
    He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” vs 22

Let all who are hurt by the choices of others find peace in David’s encouragement in Psalm 55. Let us remember Abraham’s demonstration in humility and the honor God ultimately shows him because of it.

When we (or they) stop making choices in God’s direction, the ONLY other direction is AWAY from God; selfish and worldly choices. Lot’s self centered choices eventually landed him living in and under the worst possible scenario in Sodom.

Abraham’s, conversely, while seemingly the lesser of the two at the beginning, ultimately landed him with significant blessings and prosperity; favor from God.

May each of us continue to choose God’s way. God’s direction. In so doing, may we find his favor shining upon us.

The outcome of choices; choosing obedience and adherence to God’s word or rebellion toward the same, has remained true across the span of time.

What we choose determines our outcomes.

The enemy, Satan, convinces us we are immune to these consequences. The truth doesn’t apply to us. We, in some way, will be sheltered to the historically proven outcomes of our choices to press into rebellion and sin.

The world will affirm it. We become comfortable turning our back on Jesus to pursue life OUR way, on OUR terms, selfishly turning away from God and his best as dictated in his word.

We then surround ourselves with those who approve our choices and help us walk further and further from what we once embraced.

Yet, in the end, we find ourselves barely escaping the inevitable as God demonstrates his complete authority and adherence to HIS word as written about later on in Lot’s razor thin escape of God’s wrath poured out on Sodom.

None are immune. I say that again. None are immune.

I certainly thought I was, in my early 30’s as I embarked on shameful and utterly idiotic pursuits which evolved to worse and worse over a span of 8 years. It took only one, single choice, to take one, single, step in that direction.

I could not have been MORE deceived.

I speak from experience.

Choose wisely. Choose well.

-rob out

*Notes on Genesis 13:10,11 Life Application Study Bible