March 24, 2017
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Genesis? Here’s today’s reading:
Genesis 13 (ESV)
So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.
2 Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. 5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, 6 so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, 7 and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.
8 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. 9 Is not the whole land before you?… Continue Reading
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Read chapter 13
It’s good to see Abram return to Bethel “to the place where he had made an altar.” Abram, although very rich still has need but for something wealth cannot buy and calls on “the name of the Lord” once again (Genesis 13:2-4). It’s interesting that he didn’t return to the altar but to “the place” where he made it.
John Gill writes, “it seems now to have been demolished, either having fallen of itself, being made of earth, or had been destroyed by the Canaanites, since Abram left it; or perhaps it might be pulled down by Abram himself before he went from thence, that it might not be used and polluted by the idolatrous Canaanites.”
(John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible – http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/genesis-13-4.html)
Now Abram is right back where he started. In some ways, he is more wealthy because of what he “gained” from Pharaoh but in others ways, not so much. God would have provided for his needs in Canaan but he had more faith in his decision to manipulate and deceive Pharaoh than to trust God to provide for him.
I’m thankful to God that He restores us when we disobey and make decisions out of fear or a lack of faith. Abram’s trust in and focus on himself not only led to him sinning, but it caused others to sin. He had more confidence in himself than in God who told him repeatedly in the last chapter, “I WILL” show you the land where you are to go, make of you a great nation, bless you and make your name great, bless those who bless you and curse him who dishonor you.
Father, help me to remember Your ways in all I do. Lead me and guide me when I get off track, when I am fearful and when I lack faith and trust in You. Make my paths straight for Your glory. Amen.
Today I read Galatians 6.
Abram is back on track by calling on the name of the LORD, and we can see his heart is generous to allow Lot to choose the land. Lot picked the best land for himself and then his heart is seen a little more as Lot moved his tent in the cities(man’s creation) closer to Sodom, where the people were sinning greatly against the LORD. Abram went to live near the great trees (God’s creation)of Mamre and built an altar there to remember the amazing promise God spoke to him.
really enjoying this, thanks for doing this!
Genesis 13 today
Also, Psalm 23-went to a funeral and it always appears–still my favorite
I read John 10 today and commented there. I’ve been especially burdened over the last few months about the ease with which so many worship a “modern” Jesus of their own (or someone else’s) design, rather than the Jesus of Scripture, and deceive themselves into believing they’re His. Yet that’s exactly what Scripture teaches will happen. Whose voice are we following?