03 Aug Lot Chooses the Best for Himself
If you were presented with a piece of cake like in the photo, which piece would you choose?
A child would automatically choose the biggest piece for themselves. Most adults would be more thoughtful, and would choose a smaller piece, but would WANT the bigger piece.
In Genesis 13 Abraham and Lot have to separate because their flocks have become too big and they cannot share the same pastureland. Despite being the older man, the patriarch, Abraham gives Lot the first choice, and Lot see a bigger piece of cake. He sees the green pastureland near the city of Sodom and chooses that.
He chooses what he thinks is the best. He puts himself first. Abraham is left with the drier country further away from the river. He gets what seems like second best.
But reading further in Genesis reveals the outcome. Lot flounders in Sodom because of the immorality of the area. It ends up destroying his life, he loses his wife and all his possessions. He ends becoming the father to his own grandchildren in one of the Bible’s strangest recounting of history.
Meanwhile the Lord appears to Abraham and promises him many things, including that ‘all’ the land would belong to his ancestors.
Abraham is unafraid to let someone else go first. He knows that God is with him. He knows that God is ultimately in control. He has faith. Lot grabs for immediate gain.
The Bible says in Psalm 75:7 that ‘It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.’
So the Lord sees that Abraham’s trust is in Him, and lifts him up.
Imagine if the people in the land of Israel/Palestine today copied the example of their common father Abraham. The issue of both the land ownership, and the blessing of God would be resolved. By allowing others to have the land, they find that there is a place for them all under the hand of God. The key to this is Christ, knowing Him, and trusting Him.
It is not just us, but everyone who will find freedom through Christ, when we are able to let go and trust Him.
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