Today’s reading was about Abram and Lot separating due to the fact that their possessions were so great and their herdsmen were quarrelling. What stood out to me was that Abram and Lot seemed to have different approaches while going through the same process.
Abram, being the elder of the two, could have used his age as leverage, but rather, gave Lot the first pick of the land. Abram knew that the Lord would bless him, but he displayed wisdom, understanding that he would not be blessed except from that which would come from the Lord.
The next thing that stood out to me is that Lot set up his tent near Sodom, where the people were wicked and sinning against God. This reminded me of people who have aged, but for some reason feel the need to flirt with evil as though they missed out on something in their younger years. Whereas Abram listened to God by walking through the land given to him by God, set up his tent further away, and then built another alter to the Lord.
In today’s chapter Abram displayed generosity, wisdom, patience, obedience, and humility. He did not take his situations into his own hands, but instead Abram looked to God and moved as He directed.
Lock Your Wings 
Even further on that note is that Abram let Lot choose which direction to go, humbling himself, and yet Lot looked for the nicer place to settle, which is not an act of humility. I find those contrasting characteristics really make Abram appear to be a man of great faith. Abram did not even complain that Lot got the better land (as Lot chose the Jordan Valley which was very well watered). Despite getting the second choice, God still blessed Abram in the land he did receive. This passage was a reminder for me to a) humbly myself, b) be content with what I have, and c) be aware of God’s blessings in my life.
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It must have been hard to let Lot choose first but Abram did show faith and contentment by doing so. I thought it must have been hard to hear about God’s promise without an heir to believe in its truth.
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Definitely.
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Once again the same points resonated with me as I read through today’s chapter. The other bit that demonstrates Abram’s wisdom is in verse 8 where he says, “Let’s not have any quarrelling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives.”
Abram knew that in order for them to stay close, they actually needed to separate.
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