The Strife Between Abraham and Lot

    “There was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.”

    Genesis 13 records one of the saddest, most troubling, most distressing, most shameful experiences in the lives of God’s people in this world. This chapter describes strife between Abraham and Lot, a strife which led to separation, and a separation which led to even greater sorrow. This was a strife between members of the same family. Abraham was Lot’s Uncle. It was a strife between brethren, strife between two men who had enjoyed the closest possible spiritual communion and fellowship. Abraham was Lot’s spiritual father. He was the instrument by whom Lot had learned the gospel. And it was strife in the church of God. The whole church of God in the world at this time was the family of Abraham. And Lot was a member of that blessed family.

    Domestic trials, family quarrels, and strife in the house of God are not easy to bear. We would all prefer to pass through this world without trouble. If we must have trouble, we would prefer to have it anywhere than at home. Jacob would have preferred not to endure the trial he had with the loss of Joseph. David would have preferred to avoid the trials he had to endure from Michael, Amnon, and Absalom. And Abraham would have much preferred to live out his days with Lot’s constant companionship; but it must not be. God’s people all “must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Much of that tribulation will come from our own homes.

    Why is this? Why do believers have to endure domestic trials, particularly strifes, and quarrels, and divisions in our homes and in our churches? Three reasons are obvious. First, our faith must be tried in all directions. Just as silver and gold must be tried by the fire, not to destroy it, but to separate the precious metal from the dross, just as the diamond must be cut to shape it into a valuable gem, our trials are intended by our God to purify our hearts and mold us into the image of his dear Son. Second, our trials are designed to make us long for heaven. When God permits strife to rise between believers, especially of the same family, it is to remind us that this world of sin, strife, and sorrow is not our home. Third, these painful, domestic troubles are permitted by God, they are brought to pass by the wise, unerring providence of our heavenly Father, that we may learn by them, that we may learn patience, forbearance, and kindness toward one another.

    God permitted the strife between Abraham and Lot to arise, come to a head, and erupt in permanent separation, disgraceful as it was, and recorded for us in the Holy Scriptures, so that we might learn from their mistakes.

    Abraham and Lot were both saved men. Both were chosen of God. Both were redeemed by the blood of Christ. Both were called by the Spirit. Both believed God. Both were righteous before God, made righteous by having the righteousness of God in Christ imputed to them. Both are seated together now before the throne of God and of the Lamb. But, while they lived in this world, strife between their herdsmen brought strife between and divided them.

    Strife between brethren is always repugnant, bringing reproach upon the gospel we believe and upon the God we serve. The God of glory appeared unto Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia. The Lord God chose Abraham, called him alone, and made a covenant with him (Gen. 12:1-3).

    I do not know how much Abraham knew; but he was not an ignorant, barbarian. He knew and believed the gospel. When he was 75 years old, God promised to send his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world through the loins of Abraham (Gal. 3:13-16); and Abraham believed God. Believing God, his faith was imputed to him for righteousness (Rom. 4:3, 13, 23-25).

    After the death of Terah, his father, Abraham left Haran, came into Canaan, and pitched his tent at Bethel. There he built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord. Bethel was “the house of God” to Abraham. Yet, he left Bethel because of the famine that arose in the land. He went down into Egypt for a while. Now, Abraham has returned from Egypt with his wife Sarah, all his possessions, all his servants, and with Lot. They all came back to Bethel. That is where Genesis 13 begins.

    When he got back to Bethel, I am sure Abraham must have thought, “Now my trials and troubles are all over. I am back in the place of God. It will be smooth sailing from now on.” About the time he got settled, just as he had begun to gather his family for worship again at Bethel, strife broke out between his servants and the servants of Lot. This strife between Abraham and Lot was a very shameful, needless thing.

    It was particularly shameful, because Abraham and Lot were both blessed of God with great wealth. They had as much of this worlds goods as they could possibly need (vv. 2, 6). If one or the other of them had been poor and needy we might understand jealousy and strife between them. But both of these men were filthy rich. The word translated “rich” in verse two has many shades of meaning. It means “rich,” as our translation indicates. It also means “honorable.” It could also be translated “heavy”. Riches are a burden. Those who seek to be rich load themselves with thick clay (Hab. 2:6).

    In commenting upon the fact that riches are a heavy burden, Matthew Henry wrote, “There is a burden of care in getting them, fear in keeping them, temptation in using them, quilt in abusing them, sorrow in losing them, and a burden of account, at last, to be given up concerning them.”

    Certainly, riches may be a great blessing of God’s providence. Abraham was a man rich in faith and rich in this worlds goods. If well-managed, earthly wealth is a friend to faith. It furnishes men with the opportunity to do much good. But very few men can be both wealthy and useful. I have seen a good many men make advancement in the world. But I have seen very few make advancement both in riches and in grace. How often people say, “If I had just a little more, I could do so much more for the cause of Christ.” But, usually, the more people get the less they give, the less they attend the worship of God, and the less they do for Christ, his people, and the furtherance of the gospel. Wise is that man who has learned to pray - “Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain” (Pro. 30:8-9). “Beware of covetousness!” Beware of “the deceitfulness of riches!” All of Lot’s woes began when his herds and his gold began to increase!

    This was a shameful quarrel because Abraham and Lot were brothers and friends (v. 8). They were physically related. Lot was Abraham’s nephew. More importantly, they were spiritual brethren. Abraham was Lot’s spiritual father. When he left his father’s house, Abraham told Lot what God had revealed to him and urged Lot to join him. They walked together for years in the pursuit of God’s will and glory. But now they had a falling out. They were both chosen of God and called. They were both believers. They were both heirs of eternal life. But they fell into strife. There is something peculiarly sinful about strife between believers.

    Lot owed Abraham everything, both materially and spiritually. He knew nothing, but what Abraham taught him. He had nothing, but what Abraham gave him. And he had for years followed Abraham as Abraham followed God. But now he is willing to part company with the best friend he had in this world for a little more property. How fickle men are, even believing men, when left to themselves! At one time, the Galatians were willing to pluck out their eyes and give them to Paul. But in time, they turned against him. Paul and Barnabas labored together for the cause of Christ. Then, they fell out over Mark. Strife between brethren is a reproach. It is always a reproach. It is always petty, too. Brethren do not fall out over the gospel. If the gospel is at stake, we must part company with those who oppose it. But brethren quarrel about petty things, things that really amount to nothing but pride. What can be more shameful?

    This strife between Abraham and Lot was particularly disgraceful because -- “The Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land” (v. 7). It gave the enemies of God occasion to blaspheme. The Spirit of God here indicates that this was, above all else, the great shame of this strife between Abraham and Lot The heathen observed it. They had seen Abraham and Lot worshipping at the same altar. Now they saw them fighting over water and grazing rights!

    Abraham had his faults. I do not suggest that he was a perfect man. We saw his weakness in chapter 12, when he was in Egypt. But in this strife, it was Abraham who moved to put it to an end. His conduct throughout the matter exemplified what believers ought to do in such matters (vv. 8-9).

    Abraham’s behavior was conciliatory. He was a man of peace. It was in his heart, as much as possible, to live peaceably with all men, especially with those who believe. He knew the value and blessedness of peace. Abraham knew that “the beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water.” Once it begins, it is almost impossible to stop. He had learned to “therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with” (Pro. 17:14). Abraham took the initiative (v. 8). He preferred the glory of God to his own will. He was more concerned for the gospel and the worship of God than he was for his own rights. The souls of men were of greater concern to Abraham than cattle, water, and grass. He preferred yielding to Lot’s greed to fighting with his brother and friend. He was magnanimous man.

    Lot should have yielded to Abraham. God had given the land to Abraham. It was all his. Abraham was the older. Abraham was richer and stronger. Lot owed everything to Abraham. Abraham was God’s spokesman. But Lot was a petty, little man, obstinate, and self-willed. Abraham was gracious and condescended to Lot’s pleasure. He was generous, magnanimous, even to his own hurt. Worldlings, looking at Abraham, would say, “You fool!” But Abraham sought the glory of God. He turned the other cheek (Matt. 5:39). He took the wrong, and allowed himself to be defrauded (1 Cor. 6:7). He made himself servant to Lot (1 Cor. 9:19; Matt. 20:26-28). Why? He did it for two reasons: (1.) To keep Lot’s friendship, and (2.) For the honor of God.

    This is exemplary Christianity. Christianity is more than doctrines, and creeds, and ordinances. Christianity is Christ in us. And if Christ is in us, he will stick out in our lives.

    Abraham was generous. He waved his rights and cheerfully gave Lot whatever he wanted. It does not appear that he was even slightly troubled by the fact that Lot took the best for himself. In fact, it seems that Abraham wanted Lot to have the best. Why? How could he behave this way? Abraham believed God. He loved Lot. Abraham was dead to this world!

    Abraham and Lot were standing on one of the high mountains of Canaan, perhaps Mt. Hebron. Looking to the east, Lot beheld all the well-watered, fertile plains of Sodom and the rich hills of Moab. It reminded him of the garden of Eden, which he had heard Abraham describe. And he chose that to be his portion (vv. 10-13). He left the tents of Abraham for the tents of Sodom. He left the altar of Abraham for the hills of Moab. He left the worship of Bethel for the riches of the plain. He saw. He coveted. He took.

    Without regard for anything spiritual, his own soul, or the glory of God, Lot chose the rich plains of Sodom. His choice was sad. It tells us much about Lot. He had too much love for this world. And he had too little concern for his own soul, and the souls of those who were under his influence. There were no prophets in Sodom, only riches. There was no altar at which to worship God in Sodom, only luscious looking grass. There was no believers in Sodom , only worldlings.

    From the moment that Lot made his choice, he began to decline. He did not go directly into Sodom. But step by step, he hardened his heart and seared his conscience, until he convinced himself that the best thing he could do for himself, his family, and his servants was to move into Sodom. He lifted up his eyes and beheld the land. Then, he chose the plains of Sodom. Soon, he separated himself from Abraham. He dwelt in the cities of the plains for a while. Then, he pitched his tent toward Sodom. At last, he dwelt in Sodom. There he was elected to the city council. He became of man of great respectability among the Sodomites, when he had no respectability left.

    Lot’s choice, in the end, cost him everything he cherished, except his own soul. He lost all influence for God with his family, servants, and neighbors. He seems to have lost all spiritual communion, fellowship, and instruction. He lost his daughters, sons-in-laws, and grandchildren to the Sodomites. He lost all his earthly possessions. He lost his wife. He lost his last two daughters in his drunken incest. He lost everything but his soul. In fact, were it not for what is recorded in 2 Peter 2, we would be compelled to conclude that Lot was a man altogether without grace. Abraham lost nothing. He gave up everything, but the honor of God, the glory of God, and his love for Lot; but he lost nothing (vv. 14-18)!

    Let every child of God always endeavor to “keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Avoid strife with brethren at all costs. “Love not the world..” It is the love of the world and the love of self which lies at the root of all strife among believers. How shameful! In all our earthly decisions, we must take care not to neglect the welfare of our souls. In all things, endeavor to do that which is right, walk with God, and live in peace.

    The very mention of the name “Lot” echoes the words of Jonah, -- “Salvation is of the Lord!” Lot was a saved man, a sinner saved by grace alone, through the merits of Christ’s blood and righteousness, without any works of his own. Like every saved sinner, Lot was saved by God’s sovereign election, blood atonement, imputed righteousness, and infallible grace.