Faith Rewarded

Genesis 13:14-18

Lot had chosen the most fertile and best watered land for himself, with little or no consideration for Abram. When someone deliberately takes advantage, it is easy to feel cheated. In Psalm 84:12, David stated, “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” In Proverbs 28:20, Solomon declared, “A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”

Lot’s desire to be rich would eventually destroy his family. Because Abram was faithful, on the other hand, he would be richly blessed. God makes the promise to him after Lot separated from him.

“And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.” (Genesis 13:14-17)

Though Abram was the older and had cared for Lot for many years, he put his own interests aside and meekly allowed Lot to take what he wanted. Lot selfishly took the best for himself. God’s promise to Abram illustrates Jesus’ statement in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” God will reward those who are not self centered.

Even the land Lot claimed for himself was to belong to Abram. The plain that so attracted Lot and the desert he rejected would all be Abram’s. Abram’s descendants would be so plentiful it would be as easy to count the dust particles as to count them. While the Jews are the best known of his descendants, and have been scattered throughout the world, they are not the only ones, as we will learn later. God then recommended that Abram visit all the land because it would all be his.

“Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.” (Genesis 3:18)

From Bethel, Abram moved to the plains of Mamre I what would later be known as Hebron. Walking with the Lord, in the place where he was supposed to be Abram continued to worship God and enjoy his presence.