Read Genesis 12:10-13:18.

Introduction⤒🔗

Do you ever have trouble remembering things? Do you sometimes have trouble remembering whether or not you just did something? If so, you’re not alone: 38% of the population admits that they sometimes forget whether or not they have just done a routine task. A researcher from Johns Hopkins Medical School discovered that most people tend to be forgetful: 83% forget names; 60% forget where they put something; 57% forget telephone numbers; 53% forget words; 49% forget what was just said to them; 42% forget faces. From time to time we all seem to have a problem with remembering.¹

As Christians, how many times must we add to the above list such things as:

• Forgetting God’s promises.
• Forgetting God’s awesome power.
• Forgetting God’s covenant love and faithfulness.

Even though we possess the LORD’s promises, like Abram, we often forget His covenant faithfulness and fail to trust Him in time of need. Because the LORD is our faithful God, we must trust in Him at all times, especially in times of trial.

Trust in the LORD at All Times, and Do Not Take Matters into Your Own Hands←⤒🔗

When there comes a famine to the land of Canaan, Abram takes it upon himself to journey down into Egypt (12:10). The pressure on him was great; the famine was severe in Canaan, but the land of Egypt was well-watered and fertile: "all the Plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere, it was like the garden of the LORD, or like the land of Egypt as you go towards Zoar" (13:10).

Confronted by this trying situation, Abram apparently forgot to trust in the LORD. He neither consults the LORD to ascertain His divine will, nor appeals to the LORD to meet his need. Rather than trust in the LORD’s covenant faithfulness; when confronted by a trying situation, Abram takes matters into his own hands. He probably thought it was an easy and obvious decision; he was probably blind to the complications—until he got down to Egypt.

When Abram and Sarai arrive at the border of Egypt, Abram becomes aware of another problem: his wife, Sarai, is a beautiful woman (12:11-13). His apprehension is that the Egyptians will covet Sarai, and in order to obtain her they will kill him. Once again, Abram devises his own solution: Sarai is to identify herself as Abram’s sister; this way, not only will Abram’s life be spared, but also the Egyptians will treat him well for Sarai’s sake.

This time his own solution involves Abram in a double breach of faith. He is violating his commitment to Sarai; rather than reverence their sacred marriage bond, he is willing to prostitute her for his own safety and personal gain. He is violating his commitment to the LORD; again, for the sake of his own personal safety and profit, he is going to resort to telling a lie. He may have consoled himself with the rationalization that it was only a “white lie,” because Sarai was his half-sister, but it was a lie. His marriage relationship to her took precedence over any former relationship between them.

Abram’s failure to trust in the LORD in his time of need, (failing to look to the LORD for counsel and provision) has: 1) led him into unanticipated complications, and 2) led him to commit actual sins against his wife and against his God.

At first, it seemed that Abram’s stratagem was a wise move (12:14-16). The Egyptians were attracted to Sarai; consequently, Abram’s life may well have been in jeopardy before the all-powerful Pharaoh. Pharaoh bestows great riches upon Abram for Sarai’s sake: Pharaoh takes Sarai, and in exchange gives Abram much cattle. Sometimes decisions made apart from God look good—in the short run.

But the LORD, for the sake of His justice and His own righteousness, will not allow one of His people to perpetrate such an evil (12:17-20). The LORD plagued Pharaoh and his whole household with great plagues on account of Sarai, Abram’s wife. When Pharaoh ascertains the cause of the plagues, he rebukes Abram, putting him to public shame by demonstrating himself to be more honorable than this “Christian” man. Pharaoh then expels Abram from Egypt. Consequently, Abram is denied access to the fruits of Egypt and is confronted once again with his original problem: how to cope with the severe famine.

As we consider this incident in the life of Abram, note that Abram was motivated by fear and desperation. But, his failure to resort to the LORD led him to dishonor God and bring dishonor upon himself, and he was denied what he initially had sought to gain. Let us trust in the LORD at all times, resisting the temptation to take matters into our own hands.

Trust in the LORD at All Times, and Do Not be Deceived by “Attractive Alternatives”←⤒🔗

It appears that Abram took to heart his bitter experience in Egypt and came to his senses (13:1-4). He returned to Canaan and journeyed back to his original campsite and to the altar he had built to the LORD, “there Abram called on the name of the LORD,” (i.e. he appeals to the covenant God for mercy, for guidance, for divine provisions). One true sign of God’s work of grace is that His people return to Him in repentance and renewed commitment when they have departed from Him as the result of bad decisions or willful disobedience.

But Lot did not learn from the Egyptian experience. Lot was with Abram and Sarai in Egypt, and he was well aware of all that took place, as is indicated in Genesis 13:1a, “Abram departed out of Egypt, he and his wife, with all his possessions And Lot went with him.” When the next dilemma arises, Lot is the one who fails to remember the LORD and put his confidence in Him.

When Abram and Lot return to the land of Canaan, they are confronted with that next dilemma. Both Abram and Lot have large herds and flocks (13:2,5). Their cattle and possessions were so great that they could no longer dwell together (13:6); conflicts and disputes were erupting between their respective herdsmen (13:7). Out of concern to maintain their peace and unity as Christian brothers, Abram proposes a viable solution:

⁸Then Abram said to Lot, I beg you, let there be no conflict between me and you, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. ⁹Is not the whole land before you? I ask you, please separate yourself from me. If you will go to the left, then I will go to the right. Or if you will go to the right, I will go to the left. 13:8-9

Abram offers Lot first choice of the land (vs. 9). Note: Abram is limiting the choice to the whole land of Canaan; they are to remain within the bounds of the Promised Land.

But Lot takes Abram’s suggestion a step further—beyond what was spiritually legitimate to what was spiritually dangerous and beyond the divinely acceptable limits:

¹⁰Lot looked up and observed that all the Plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere, it was like the garden of the LORD, or like the land of Egypt as you go towards Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) ¹¹So Lot chose for himself all the Plain of the Jordan. Then Lot journeyed east. So they separated themselves from one another. (vs. 10-11)

Lot sees that the Plain of the Jordan, (the land east of the Jordan River), is very attractive (vs. 10). So he chose that land as his portion: “Lot journeyed east” (13:11); here is a subtle way of indicating that Lot was journeying away from the LORD his God. Compare this editorial comment of Genesis 13:11 with what is said of Cain in Genesis 4:16, “Cain departed from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.” So it was that “Abram settled in the land of Canaan, but Lot settled in the cities of the Plain and moved his tent as far as Sodom.” Then follows the ominous editorial comment, “Now the men of Sodom were wicked” (Gen. 13:12-13a).

Let us trust in the LORD at all times, and not be deceived by “attractive alternatives.” Whereas Abram’s earlier decision was motivated by fear and desperation, Lot’s present decision was motivated by the prospect of preserving and promoting his personal wealth. In both cases, their failure to remember and trust in the LORD their God cost them dearly. In this present instance, Lot’s righteous soul would become tormented by the lives of his lawless neighbors, as we are told by the Apostle Peter:

⁷...righteous Lot was distressed by the conduct of lawless men living in licentiousness—⁸for by what he saw and heard as he lived among them day by day, that righteous man felt his righteous soul tormented by their lawless deeds. 2 Pet. 2:7-8

Lot’s unrighteous choice contributed to the partial loss of his family. Only he and his two daughters survived. Genesis 19:30 records that after escaping the destruction of Sodom, “Lot stayed in the mountains with his two daughters.” Lot’s wife was consumed in the destruction of Sodom: she “looked back and became a pillar of salt” (Gen. 19:26).

Trust in the LORD at All Times, and He will Sustain You←⤒🔗

After Lot separated himself and left the land of Canaan, the LORD spoke to Abram (13:14). The LORD’s nearness and intimacy is reserved for those who trust in Him and seek to abide in covenant faithfulness to Him.

The LORD personally grants to Abram divine assurance that he and his descendants shall inherit the Promised Land (13:14-16). Abram had exhibited a great act of faith: he had rejected the fertile plains and confined himself to the land of Canaan, (even though it was presently famine-stricken), because it was the Promised Land. In so doing, Abram received the sustaining presence and re-assurance of the LORD.

The LORD commands Abram to walk through the length and breadth of the land and again declares that He will give it to Abram: "Arise, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I will give it to you"(vs. 17). Walking around the circumference of the land was the act of validating the acquisition of a piece of property.²

The LORD’s repeated statement, “I will give to you and to your offspring forever all the land that you see,” is the reminder that in the last analysis everything belongs to the LORD, and is His to dispense as He sees fit—and He sees fit to share it with those who are faithful to Him, note Ecclesiastes 2:26,

²⁶God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to the man who pleases him; but to the sinner God gives the arduous task of gathering and storing up wealth so that He may give it to the one who pleases Him.

Let us trust in the LORD at all times, and as we do so, we will find Him faithful to sustain us with His own dear presence and His sure promise.

Conclusion←⤒🔗

This is the message of Scripture: Because the LORD is our faithful God, we must trust Him at all times, especially in times of trial.

In the light of this passage of Scripture, let us be spiritually perceptive to recognize that trials come in a variety of forms:

• situations that arouse within us the emotions of fear and desperation, and
• situations that appear to offer the prospect of security and great material gain.

But whichever the variety of trial, may we be constant in remembering and trusting the LORD our God: Looking to Him for counsel; Relying upon Him for His provisions; and Committing ourselves to the course that is right and pleasing in His sight.

Discussion Questions←⤒🔗

1. When they arrive in Egypt, what does Abram request of Sarai? What was his purpose in making this request? See Gen. 12:11-13 Given the fact that Sarai was his half-sister, was it a total falsehood? Was it justifiable? Have you ever resorted to telling “half-truths”? How does the LORD view any form of deceit? See Prov. 12:22 What should be true of us as Christians? See Prov. 13:5.

¹¹When he came near to the border of Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, Listen, I know that you are a beautiful woman. ¹²When the Egyptians see you they will say, This is his wife. They will kill me, but keep you alive. ¹³I ask you, Please say that you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you. Gen. 12:11-13

²²Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but he delights in those who deal truthfully. Prov. 12:22

⁵A righteous man hates lying; but a wicked man is loathsome and will be put to shame. Prov. 13:5

2. What was the result of Abram’s deceit? See Gen. 12:17-19 Why did Abram originally journey to Egypt, but what was the consequence of his deceit? Cp. Gen. 12:10 with Gen. 12:20 Can deceit be ultimately successful and perpetually concealed? See Prov. 12:19; Num. 32:23 Why is this the case? See, again, Prov. 12:22.

¹⁷But the LORD inflicted severe plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. ¹⁸Then Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? ¹⁹Why did you say, She is my sister, so that I took her to be my wife? Now, therefore, here is your wife, take her and go your way. Gen. 12:17-19

¹⁰Now there was a famine in the land, so Abram went down into Egypt to stay there for a while, because the famine was severe in the land. Gen. 12:10

²⁰Then Pharaoh gave his men orders concerning Abram and they escorted him away, together with his wife and all his possessions. Gen. 12:20

¹⁹The lips of truth shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.Prov. 12:19

^23...you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out. Num. 32:23

3. What motivated Abram to depart the land of Canaan? (Gen. 12:10) Upon his return to Canaan, what did Abram do? See Gen. 13:4 Should he not have done this before journeying down to Egypt? Have you ever taken matters into your own hands because you faced an “emergency” situation? What do we learn about the LORD from Jeremiah 32:17? What promise is given to the Christian? See Psl. 33:18-19; Psl. 37:19.

⁴He went to the place of the altar that he had made when he first came; and there Abram called on the name of the LORD. Gen. 13:4

¹⁷Ah, Lord God! Behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm; there is nothing too hard for you. Jer. 32:17

¹⁸Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his mercy, ¹⁹to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Psl. 33:18-19

¹⁹They shall not be ashamed in the evil [or, calamitous] time; and in the days of famine, they shall be satisfied. Psl. 37:19

4. When Abram suggests that they separate from one another because their herds were too large from them to share the same land, especially in time of famine, what does Lot do? See Gen. 13:10­ 11 What motivated Lot to make this choice? Have you ever been motivated to do the same? What does 1 Timothy 6:9-10 warn about making riches a priority in one’s life?

¹⁰Lot looked up and observed that all the Plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere, it was like the garden of the LORD, or like the land of Egypt as you go towards Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) ¹¹So Lot chose for himself all the Plain of the Jordan. Then Lot journeyed east. So they separated themselves from one another. Gen. 13:10-11

⁹...those that desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition; ¹⁰for the love of money is a root of all [kinds] of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Tim. 6:9-10

5. Given the present condition (Gen. 12:10), was it an easy decision for Abram to remain in the land of Canaan? Why did he do so? What blessing does he now receive? See Gen. 13:14-17 Can you recall a time when the LORD granted you a special blessing as a result of your making a hard, but godly, choice? What is significant about the fact that this divine visitation occurred after Lot had departed? See Jn. 14:21.

¹⁴After Lot had separated himself from him, the LORD said to Abram, Now lift up your eyes from the place where you are and look northward and southward and eastward and westward; ¹⁵because I will give to you and to your offspring forever all the land that you see. ¹⁶And I will make your descendants as numerous as the dust of the earth, so that if a man could count the dust of the earth, then may your offspring also be counted. ¹⁷Arise, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I will give it to you. ¹⁸Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD. Gen. 13:14-17

²¹He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him. Jn. 14:21