How to receive God’s promises (Genesis 13)

Over a year ago, just as Auckland went into a lockdown of over three months, my husband and I were bidding for a property in Christchurch. The house was attractive and seemed a good fit for our needs, the details checked out, and we were ready to move from Auckland. This was our last chance to buy for a while, so pressure was high and the temptation to cling to what we wanted strong. However, we faced an aggressive bidder, and we did not feel right in getting the house at any price, so we had to let it go. Although disappointing, we trusted that the Lord would provide the right place at the right time. Fast forward a year and we were able to buy a much nicer property at a more reasonable price. Surprisingly, this house did not sell at an earlier auction and other offers fell away. One person could not secure a high enough mortgage, another could not sell her own house. Looking back, we are so grateful for the Lord’s provision.

Abraham’s recaptured faith and God’s generosity

Reading the next episode in Abraham’s story, I am struck by both God’s generosity and the way Abraham could recapture his faith. How? By going back to Bethel where he had worshipped at the beginning (Gen 13:1, 3-4). This physical return is symbolic of a reorientation towards God after his faithlessness in Egypt, a recapturing of that attitude of trust that has brought him to the land in the first place. When we lose our way, it can be tempting to just let go altogether thinking that we have blown our chances with God, but Abraham’s story shows that there is a way back to Him. Moreover, we have an amazingly generous God who helps us even when we do not deserve it. Thus, Abraham came out of Egypt with great riches (Gen 13:2; 12:16), just as Israel would do later in the exodus (Exod 12:35-36), despite their doubts and grumbling (e.g. Exod 5:19-21; 14:10-12).

Abraham’s choice

Abraham’s next challenge is that the land cannot sustain the combined flocks and herds of an extended family (Gen 13:6). Additionally, there are other people living and owning the land (Gen 13:7). The temptation may be either to leave the place altogether as too much trouble or to try and push others (Lot) out. After all, the land was promised to Abraham! However, grasping on to God’s promises even at the cost of hurting others is not a legitimate route forward. Abraham goes even further when he offers the choice of land to Lot, a younger relative (Gen 13:8-9). It shows immense trust in the faithfulness of God that he can let go of even what is rightfully his according to God’s promise. It compares to David, who was unwilling to eliminate Saul and grab the kingship promised to him (1 Sam 24:3-7; 26:7-11). Ultimately, it is the way of Jesus, who relinquished his rightful divine position and became human and a servant (Phil 2:6-7).

Lot’s response

Lot’s response is all the more jarring. Instead of deferring to Abraham as his elder, Lot happily accepts the generous offer and picks what seems the best land, comparable to Eden and to the lush fertility of Egypt (Gen 13:10). All that glitters is not gold, however, and the mention of Sodom and their wickedness hints at future trouble (Gen 13:13). The lesson is not that we, Christians, need to choose second-best or what is not attractive, though. Rather, in disregarding what is due others, Lot showed himself as grasping. Such an attitude generally seeks only what looks good and impressive without other, moral considerations. It is fitting then that Lot’s choice leads him to the border of the Promised Land and his greed and selfishness removes him from God’s blessing, while Abraham’s trust is rewarded by the re-affirmation of the promise (Gen 13:14-17). As Jesus put it, those who can let go of their life for His sake will find it and those who hold onto it will lose it (Matt 16:25). May we not grasp and claw for what we want at any cost but wait on God in trust.

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