Here is a story of obedience, generosity, and kindness from a young man, only 75 years of age! Abraham, then known as Abram, was obedient to the Lord in leaving his kindred and traveling to the Land of Canaan, known as Israel today. He took with him his nephew Lot – son of his brother, Haran. The Lord had already spoken to Abram, telling him: “Unto thy seed will I give this land.” See Genesis 12:6.
In time, both Abram’s and Lot’s flocks grew in number. There became contention between the herdsmen of Lot and the herdsmen of Abram. Observing this problem, Abram said to Lot: Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. (Gen. 13:8-9)
Whoa! Uncle Abram, you are the oldest and your nephew Lot already owes you. He would not have prospered if he had not been with you. You deserve to take the land of your choice; besides, the Lord has promised all of this land to you. You choose first! But no, Abram would have none of it. He lets Lot make his choice. Lot looks around, sees the fertile plain near Sodom and chooses what he thinks is the best.
Uncle Abram gets the leftovers. Never mind the consequences of Lot’s choice. That is another story: but what about Abram? The Lord knows his heart.
Here is a man who is unselfish. He is wealthy, but his heart is not set on wealth. He despises contention. He is a man of peace and never uses his power to hurt others. As a result of his sterling character, the Lord affirms, again, the promise of this land to be given to him and his seed. He is promised that his seed shall be numerous as the dust of the earth. Thanks a “Lot,” Abraham, for your unselfish character and your consideration of others. It is a lesson for each of us.
Merlin Frei