GENESIS 13

3 Outlines

Tale of Two Fathers

Genesis 13 etc.

Abraham and Lot were both saved men. The ways they conducted their lives, raised families and received results were in stark contrast. They lead us to ask ourselves four questions.

WHERE AM I LOOKING?

Lot looked to Sodom 13:6-13

Abraham looked where God told him to look. 13:14-15

WHERE AM I LIVING?

Lot lived in the city of Sodom, in the middle of wickedness. 19:1

Abraham was living in the land God had promised him.

WHERE AM I LEADING?

When it was time to leave Sodom at God's command, Lot could not lead

his family the way he should have been able. 19:14

His wife turned around in disobedience and was judged. 19:17, 26

When Abraham had to lead his son Isaac, he was compliant. 22:6-14

WHAT IS MY LEGACY?

Lot's legacy was two nations as a result of immorality. Genesis 19:32-34

Abraham's legacy was a son who respected and loved his father, and

followed God.

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Genesis 13:5-18

A GRACIOUS MAN

You probably know more than one gracious man or woman. When someone is gracious he or she is easy to get along with, generous, and flexible. (Give examples of gracious people that you know.) Christians should be gracious, reflecting "the wisdom that is from above" found in James 3:17-18. Abraham was a gracious man, especially in his dealings with his nephew, Lot.

CONGESTION - Vss. 5-7

Both Abraham and Lot were wealthy men. Both had large herds and both needed lots of resources (water) to exist. Because of minimal resources, there were disagreements between Abraham and Lot's servants.

CONFRONTATION - Vss. 8-9

Abraham was the senior member of the family. He confronted Lot gently, not wanting them to have strife between them because they are brethren. As Christians we should have that same desire that there be no strife between us and fellow Christians. John 13:34-35, Ephesians 30-32

Abraham very graciously gave Lot his choice of locations. Whatever direction Lot was willing to go, Abraham would go in the opposite direction. Abraham allowed Lot to have the choice, when, in reality Abraham could have had his choice.

CHOICE - Vss. 10-13

Lot chose the Plain of Jordan, although it contained the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Abraham chose to remain in the Land of Canaan, which was the land of God's choice for Abraham in the first place.

Abraham actually remained in the will of God by remaining in the Land of Canaan.

COMFORT - Vss. 14-18

God brought comfort to Abraham by promising Abraham that land forever.

When we are gracious and remain in the will of God, God will also bring comfort to us.

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Genesis 13:5-14:24

GODLINESS IN SHOE LEATHER

You have probably heard the expression; "He's so Heavenly minded, that he's no earthly good!"

There are people who never make their professed Christianity practical. They talk like saints, but they don't act like saints. Abraham however demonstrated his Godliness in everyday life. He lived out his Godliness in a practical way. To use an American expression, "He put it into shoe leather."

ABRAHAM WAS A GRACIOUS MAN - 13:5-13

Abraham and his nephew, Lot, were living in the same area.

They traveled together, but were two large, wealthy, individual family units.

Because they were so large, the land could not support the needs of both families' flocks and herds. (Vs. 6)

Strife developed between the herdsmen of the two families. (Vs. 7)

As the senior member of the family, Abraham decided to settle the dispute. He wanted no strife in the family. (Vs. 8)

Abraham very graciously gave Lot the choice of where he wanted to settle. This was really a choice Abraham could have reserved for himself. Instead, he was gracious about it. Lot chose the best area for himself, in spite of the wickedness that abounded in Sodom. (Vss. 9-13)

ABRAHAM WAS A BLESSED MAN - 13:14-18

Abraham made the right choice.

It was Abraham who received God's encouragement and blessing, not Lot.

Let us remember that God blesses us when we do what is right.

ABRAHAM WAS A RESPONSIBLE MAN - 14:1-16

"Am I my brother's keeper?" Abraham was. When Lot got into trouble, Abraham didn't give him a lecture. He gave him help!

ABRAHAM WAS A GENEROUS MAN - 14:17-20

Abraham gave tithes to "the priest of the most high God", Melchizedek.

Today we'd say that he gave to the Lord's work.

ABRAHAM WAS A CONVICTED MAN - 14:21-24

Abraham was a man of conviction. He would not take what didn't belong to him, although he could have. He was convicted to do what was right.

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