The following sermon was preached on February 25th, 2024 at Westminster Presbyterian Church during the evening service for their Genesis sermon series. All verses quoted are from the English Standard Version.
Good evening, everyone! For our evening services, we’re currently looking at the lives of the patriarchs of Israel as recorded in Genesis. So far we’ve begun to look at Father Abraham, or as he is known at this point in the story, Father Abram. For those who were not here last week, Pastor York covered the second half of Genesis chapter 12. In the first half of the chapter, God makes His covenant with Abram. He promises him three things: blessing, land, and offspring. In the second half, Abram travels with his family to Egypt. Unfortunately, Abram commits a serious sin by lying to the Pharaoh, telling him that Sarai, his wife, is his sister. Of course, this leads to a great mess involving Pharoah trying to take Sarai as his wife, and God afflicting Pharoah for taking a woman he didn’t know was married. So Pharaoh calls out Abram for his sin and sends him and his family away from Egypt. Thankfully, God shows his mercy to Abram and keeps him in His covenant.
Let’s look now at God’s word and read our passage for this evening. [Read Genesis 13]
As I mentioned earlier this evening, we’re continuing to look at the early parts of the story of Abram in our sermon series. Some time has passed between the last chapter and this one. The author writes that Abram and his family have departed from Egypt with all of their belongings. And the chapter states that they headed into the land of the Negeb, which is a desert in southern Israel. Now at first glance, this may seem like one of the more boring passages in Genesis. There are no talking serpents, no floods washing over the Earth, and no giant towers being built into Heaven. No, instead this chapter gives us a simple narrative; a short story of two groups ruled by two friends coming into conflict with each other seeking a proper resolution that would benefit both their people.
A person who is unfamiliar with the story of Abram might ask, “What could possibly be gained by paying attention to a story like this? Can’t I just skim over it and get back to the cool and more applicable stories in the Bible?” Truth be told, when I first approached this passage I had very similar thoughts. But what I came to realize is that woven throughout this simple story is an underlying theme of the power and assurance in God’s promises. And, friends, isn’t it true that God often displays the magnificent truths of who He is in the ordinary day-to-day motions of our lives? Because that’s exactly what we see here in Genesis 13. This short story of Abram interacting with his nephew Lot reminds us that the promises of God will enable us to make worthy sacrifices and preserve that which truly benefits us. Here this again: The promises of God will enable us to make worthy sacrifices and preserve that which truly benefits us. Let’s keep this idea in mind as we unpack the narrative we have before us.
PART 1: verses 1-9
If you haven’t already, I invite you to turn with me to Genesis 13. Something to note before we dive into the text, is that we’re given three key ideas in this chapter of what God’s promises enable us to do. They are as follows:
- The promises of God enable us to give up our comfort and convenience
- The promises of God enable us to avoid temptation and destruction
- The promises of God enable us to rest in the plan of God
The first section of our story, verses 1 through 9, focus on the idea of sacrifice. This idea that those who look to God as their savior are able to sacrifice what they hold dearly on Earth so that way they can instead receive what the Lord has for them. In this chapter, Abram is shown to be a very wealthy man. Although he had sinned in Egypt by lying about his wife, Abram was still faithful to God and the Lord blessed him in order for Abram to bless those who were under his care. The text states that Abram specifically had livestock and precious metals such as silver and gold. So in our minds we should be picturing not just a man and his wife and nephew, but a whole caravan of people and animals traveling from Egypt to the Negeb and eventually coming to a place between the lands of Bethel and Ai. The text also tells us that Abram and his caravan are back where God first made a covenant with him, and verse 4 says that the first thing he does is make an altar to the Lord to worship Him and to call upon Him at this point in the journey.
As any parent in the audience knows, for almost every road trip or traveling experience you plan there’s bound to be something wrong along the way. I remember just a few years ago, my family and I were driving home from a camping trip. We were in our truck hauling or RV, when all of a sudden we started to smell something burning. Very quickly we realized that one of our truck wheels was on fire. We certainly had not planned for that to happen, but praise God we at least had a fire extinguisher handy. In a similar way, Abram and Lot, who are both in charge of their own workers and herds, start to experience unplanned problems. The Bible uses the word “strife” to communicate the tension that’s building between Abram’s herd and Lot’s herd. And that’s not the only issue. The author tells us that the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land, and they could easily overwhelm and attack Abram’s caravan if they weren’t careful. So Abram, being the leader, has a lot of pressure to make a decision that will not only solve the frustration between the two groups of herdsmen, but also not get everyone killed by an invading force.
Now one might expect that since this is the ancient times, that Abram would simply act like a dictator telling the herdsmen to stop arguing unless they want to be punished. Maybe he would force his nephew Lot to go find some other land to live in. Maybe he would send men to the Canaanites and the Perizzites and strike a deal with these pagan societies. But no, Abram doesn’t do anything of the sort. He says in verse 8 and 9:
- 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. 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.” (Gen. 13.8–9)
Instead of ruling with an iron fist, Abram yields up his authority to God, and he allows Lot to separate from him and choose whatever land he wants. Abram didn’t have to do this, but his faith in God guided him to trust that God would work through Lot to decide the matter. This, my friends, is what we call a true sacrifice. Abram has all of his property, and even his family, at stake here. But instead of trusting in his own wisdom and strength, he yields his rights and authority to God.
In the New Testament, we see a similar situation to this when the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian church how he yielded his own rights as a Christian citizen. He says, in 1 Cor. 9:15:
- But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. (1 Cor. 9.15)
You see, Paul could’ve gotten married to a wonderful Christian woman and had a family. He could’ve used his rights as a Roman citizen to settle down and have a nice house since he was a tent maker by trade. But instead he yields these rights that he’s earned for a greater purpose: to spread the Gospel so that others would know that Christ died for them. If Paul can do this, then certainly we ourselves can find areas in our life where we can sacrifice for those around us. That doesn’t mean we have to drop everything and move to India or China to preach the Gospel. Sometimes, what it looks like, is just having a friend who’s struggling come over to your house to give them a meal. Or maybe it’s offering one day a week to volunteer at the local food pantry. So I ask you all: with your knowledge of what God has given you, what can you sacrifice for others, that they may also be blessed by the riches of Christ? To sacrifice what we rightly deserve or are owed, is truly what it means to take up cross daily.
In sum, as we read in our passage today of Abram yielding his decision of where to take his herds, his family, and his property, to his nephew Lot, understand that in reality Abram is yielding all of what he has to the will and the promises of God. It certainly wasn’t a comfortable decision, nor was it convenient, but Abram trusted in the promises of God nevertheless.
PART 2: verses 10-13
In the first section of our passage we’ve seen that the promises of God enable us to give up our comfort and convenience. In this second section, verses 10-13, we see that the promises of God enable us to avoid temptation and destruction. So far, Abram has made a tough decision and has yielded his choice to Lot. Lot then has to choose which area of land that he’ll take his herds and belongings. The author of the story writes:
- 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.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. (Gen. 13.10–11)
We’re not given too much detail about Lot’s reaction to Abram’s faithful decision, but we are told how he chooses which land to take his herds. He doesn’t start off by thanking Abram nor does he ask the Lord first or pray regarding where he should go, but he simply looks out and chooses which part of the land looks best to him. Instead of walking by faith, Lot literally walks by sight in this case. He sees this beautiful land full of resources and even compares it to the Garden of Eden and the prospering lands of Egypt that they had just left.
Now we might be thinking, “well of course Lot should have picked this land, it sounds like a great deal!” But take a look at the note in verse 13 that the author of Genesis includes. The land certainly was rich, but the people who inhabited it were wicked, ungodly people. We read in later chapters of Genesis that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah committed acts such as sexual deviance, exploitation of the weak, theft, murder, and many other grievous sins. We also read later on that this would become a problem for Lot as Abram would have to rescue him from Sodom and Gomorrah, which God ends up destroying due to their failure to repent from their sin. So the biggest issue with Lot allowing his eyes to be the ones that decide where he takes his herd, is that he ends up not using his brain to just take a second and think whether his decision will impact himself or the people in his caravan. By taking his group to the Jordan Valley near the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot is risking not just his people from walking away from God, but also putting his own faith at risk.
Now we might be thinking, “well of course Lot should have picked this land, it sounds like a great deal!” But take a look at the note in verse 13 that the author of Genesis includes. The land certainly was rich, but the people who inhabited it were wicked, ungodly people. We read in later chapters of Genesis that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah committed acts such as sexual deviance, exploitation of the weak, theft, murder, and many other grievous sins. We also read later on that this would become a problem for Lot as Abram would have to rescue him from Sodom and Gomorrah, which God ends up destroying due to their failure to repent from their sin. So the biggest issue with Lot allowing his eyes to be the ones that decide where he takes his herd, is that he ends up not using his brain to just take a second and think whether his decision will impact himself or the people in his caravan. By taking his group to the Jordan Valley near the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot is risking not just his people from walking away from God, but also putting his own faith at risk.
Let’s put this way: imagine for a moment that you have a friend who used to struggle with alcoholism. And this friend, his birthday is coming up soon and you wanna take him and his family out for a night and treat him to a meal. Now imagine you go up to this friend and say, “Hey for your birthday I’m thinking of taking you to the new bar in the city. It’s really big, all the papers are talking about it, I think we should go.” Now, does it sound wise to take a former alcoholic to a new bar? Well unless you’re trying to reignite his addiction, of course not! But that’s what it’s like to walk by mere sight and not by faith like Lot did. When we do that, we run the risk of inviting unwanted temptation in our lives, or sometimes in the lives of those we love.
So what does God’s promise have to do with this? Because God knew Lot would choose the better looking land, Abram is prevented from going into the Jordan Valley and being affected by the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. And remember, Abram is the one who is given the promise of many generations. By going to Canaan, God enables this promise to come to fruition as we read throughout the rest of the Old Testament. You see, when Abram deferred his choice to Lot, when he deferred his right to choose, God recognized this act of faith and honored his promise, preventing Abram from falling into more temptation. What a wonderful example of our Lord’s sovereignty! And the good news is that God does the same for all of those who are in Christ today. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Cor. 10:13:
- “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” [italics added for emphasis]. (1 Cor. 10.13)
Brothers and sisters, if temptation is a regular struggle for you, I simply tell you: Turn to God first. Do not be like Lot and merely walk through life giving in to every pleasurable vice that you see with your eyes. But instead cling to the promises of God. Cling to the promise that Paul writes that God will not let temptation overtake you. Reach out to other Christian men and women who can help you and experience the freedom and joy that comes with overcoming temptation. And when you do fall into temptation, return to God as Abram did. After sinning in Egypt, Abram didn’t reject his faith but instead He asked forgiveness and offered worship to God. So let us do likewise, and again remind ourselves that standing on the promises of God allows us to avoid temptation and destruction.
PART 3: verses 14-18
In the third and final section of our passage, after all is said and done and the hard decisions of Abram and Lot are made, God Himself takes center stage. It’s here that we find the third principle of the promises of God, which is that they enable us to rest in the plan of God. In verse 14-17 we read that God speaks to Abram, saying:
- 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, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” (Gen. 13.14–17)
By doing this, God demonstrates the closeness that He desires with His people. He could have let Abram continue his business as usual, but instead God does something incredibly comforting for him: He reaffirms the promise of the covenant that He made with Abram a chapter earlier. For just a moment, place yourself in Abram’s shoes: he’s just gone through an extremely stressful situation where lives were at stake, both in his own camp and in lots. All of the people were looking to him to solve the problem, and he gave the final say to his inexperienced nephew Lot. Surely, Abram would have had some doubts or feelings of anxiety lingering after this. But God takes the time to remind Abram that His plan and His will shall come to pass no matter what.
And based on what God says in verse 17, where He states, “I will give [this land] to you,” the Lord demonstrates that even when Lot was making his choice of land with merely his eyes, He was in complete control. And this fact enables Abram to finally rest. And not only that, but Abram now has another testimony of God’s goodness that will allow him to look back upon as he faces the trials and temptations of life as the patriarch of God’s people.
But God doesn’t just stop there. He doesn’t just want Abram to remember the promise that God has made to him. He also wants Abram to tangibly see and experience the land which God says He will grant to his offspring. He tells Abram to walk along the perimeter of the land and to truly take in the fact that this will belong to those descended from Him. This picture that the author portrays for us is identical to the promises that Christ has made us, and similar in the fact that God also allows us to see and experience what He has in store for us. In John 14:3, Jesus says He has gone to “prepare a place for us,” a Promised Land just like that of Abram, except this Land will be eternal and infinitely more beautiful and restful than any field, or mountain, or valley. And as we wait until that day when we get to glorify God for all eternity, He’s given us our very own tangible reminders of His promise. The three that come to mind for most are the Church body herself, the Sacrament of Baptism, and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. As we spend time with the body of believers, we’re getting a glimpse of the people that we’ll get to love and work alongside in Heaven. Likewise, when we are baptized or when we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we’re given a tangible reminder of the work of God in Christ Jesus.
You see, folks, when God makes a promise He doesn’t just carry through with it, but He also gives us glimpses of the end result and assurance that we can rest in that His promises are sure and true. So when doubts are descending upon you, look not to your own righteousness or the wisdom of your own decisions, but look instead to the work of God in the Church and in the Sacraments which tangibly say to us, “GOD IS FAITHFUL to those in His covenant!” And once we take hold of these promises and reminders from God, we are called to act in accordance with them.
We see in the final verses how Abram responds to hearing the voice of His Lord and the reaffirmation of God’s promises. We see that he moves his tent to the Oaks of Mamre and he settles there. Abram concludes the events of the chapter with one simple act of humility: he builds an altar to the Lord. This altar then becomes a place of thankfulness and right worship. It’s a place where all of those in Abram’s caravan, and all of those who live in the surrounding area, can be reminded of God’s promise to those in His covenant.
CONCLUSION
As we come to a close, we see clearly in this passage the sovereignty of God and the trustworthiness of His promises. And these promises are not just words that are uttered out of one’s mouth that disappear like a vapor in the cold. Instead, the promises of God are active words which enable us to make worthy sacrifices, like Abram, and preserve that which truly benefits us. And the Good News is that we are not alone in making such sacrifices. Jesus Christ lived and died and rose again as the greatest sacrifice. And He told His disciples that all who are saved by grace through faith shall inherit the greater Promised Land. We shall inherit the New Heavens and the New Earth where all is made new, and we will get to experience a greater rest than even Abram experienced, as glorify God and remain satisfied with Him for all eternity. So as we keep these promises in view, I urge you all, to ask yourselves, what can I sacrifice for the good of my neighbor? Ask yourselves, how can I begin to trust God when I face temptation? And lastly, ask yourselves, am I actually resting in the fact that Jesus has died and risen again for me, that I may have peace in the promises of God? If any of you have been wrestling with those questions or are wondering what the promises of God entail for one who believes, then seek out the church. And don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. Be honest if you’re struggling with clinging to God’s promises. And as you go about seeking answers and assistance, stand firmly on the promise of God that all who seek Him with a humble heart will not be turned away.
Brothers and sisters, let us now close in prayer as thank God for His promises:
O God and Our Father, we thank you for this passage that we’ve read today. We thank you for the ways that You have worked in the lives of men such as Abram and Lot, in order to demonstrate Your complete and faithful sovereignty over all things. We thank you that even when we sin or take our eyes off You, You longsuffer with us, that we would repent and be restored to You. We thank you that the blood of Jesus is a physical reminder of your promises, and that they are a firm foundation for us to stand upon as we face the trials and temptations of this life. Lord, help us to have the courage to yield up what is rightfully ours. Not because we are ungrateful, but because we want to share the blessings that You have bestowed upon us with our neighbors and enemies alike. Help us to look beyond what we see and not fall into temptation. And lastly, help us to rest in your plan when thoughts of doubt and anxiety come our way. Father, we believe You are a God who keeps all of His promises, and the life and death of Your beloved Son is a testament to them. We pray all of these things in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leave a comment