City Life Starter

Written by Nate Warren

The Word

12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord. 14 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, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.

Genesis 13:12-15 (ESV)

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (ESV)

Reflection

As Abram and company return from Egypt, they camp for the second time in the area between Bethel and Ai, where Abram previously built an altar to the Lord. “And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord” (v4). The narrative abruptly breaks. A minor feud between the herdsman of Abram and his nephew Lot is quickly sorted. Abraham convinces his nephew to break apart from him, and they amicably settle the issue by parting ways.

But only now, after “…Lot had separated from him” does Yahweh speak, promising Abram’s lineage the land as far as he can see.

Lot’s presence has been an issue since they left Haran. The Lord’s command then was, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you” (12:1). 

Abram’s response was then described, “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him” (12:4). 

This narrative has an open secret, a riddle, for the reader to discern. Why does Abram bring Lot? Why is it that the Lord speaks to Abram here only after Lot is gone?

The answer is not explicitly stated. It seems, though, that Abram brings Lot along to be his heir in case he and his wife do not bear an heir of their own. The Lord could not bless Abram in the way He desired with Lot present as the backup option. Only with Lot out of the picture, does the Lord reveal a taste of the blessing He has in store. Now Abram, old and childless, is forced to reckon with the promise on the Lord’s terms. 

Application

I applied the passage from 1 Corinthians here, because Abram’s story is full of such massive mistakes. Surely God wants us not to be like Abraham, right? Don’t be wise in your own eyes; trust the Lord’s Word for your life!

This message sounds pretty relevant, and it’s partially true. However, the Word of God praises Abram as a man full of righteous faith because he believed what the Lord told him. No, he didn’t implement it exactly right. To say he trips up several times is a massive understatement, and those missteps turned about horrendous outcomes that are still playing out to this day. But Abraham believed and was willing to act on that belief. Though he looked in the wrong places at times, he kept seeking God and the fulfillment of His promise by “calling on the name of Yahweh.” That’s all the Lord needed to fulfill His purpose.

The story of the Bible consistently demonstrates the Lord’s enduring faithfulness despite humanity’s repeated failures. Abraham’s life is a key depiction of both. For us, we can be assured: the Lord will be faithful, even when we blunder. Our persistent trust in His loving faithfulness will ultimately matter infinitely more than our failures.

Prayer

Father, help me to believe what You have said to me, about me, and for me. So that I will know You. And You can bless others through me. Amen.