“Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.” (Genesis 13:12)

Where have you pitched your tent?

The stage has been set for Abram and Lot to finally separate, as God had already commanded Abram:

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:” (Genesis 12:1)

Genesis 13:2 and 5-8, reveal that because of Abram’s and Lot’s wealth, the land was not able to support Abram’s, Lot’s, and the Canaanites’ cattle, etc. As a result of this situation, strife grew to a point that Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee” (verse 8a). Then Abram asked the question to Lot:

“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.” (Genesis 13:9)

Verses 10 through 13 describe Lot’s choice as to where to dwell and why. Then in verses 14 through 18, God directed Abram to where God had purposed and promised for Abram and his posterity (descendants).

As with many Scriptures in the Old Testament, God used a physical situation with a spiritual application. This is the case with Abram’s and Lot’s choice of where to dwell.

Part A. Lot’s Choice and Its Results:

Lot, in making his choice where to dwell, used the eyes of the flesh to make his choice. Verse 10 proves that Lot made his choice not in prayer, but with an eye for future earthly prosperity.

“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.” (Genesis 13:10)

Lot saw the prospect of future wealth and even of giving his family the ‘good life’ (from increased wealth); “Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan” (verses11a). Then Lot not only chose Sodom, but he went there. Verse 11b says, “and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.” Verse 12 explains the two different locations of Lot and Abram:

“Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.” (Genesis 13:12)

Lot’s choice was made on earthly reasoning. Water meant green grass for cattle; cattle meant wealth. In fact, Lot surrendered his choice to the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life.

The Apostle John records:

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16)

“And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” (1 John 2:17)

John is very plain in defining the fact that if you chose the world’s philosophy of lust, it will pass away. There is no future, but for a “season.” Moses said this of the riches of Egypt (Hebrews 11:25). But the end result of walking in the flesh is destruction (as you will see later in Lot’s life).

Lot was a Child of God. The Apostle Peter called Lot a “just” man; a “righteous man”; and “the godly” (2 Peter 2:7-9). But sometimes the Children of God make bad choices, because they choose to follow the advice of the flesh (lust and pride), and not follow the leadership of God the Spirit.

In this devotion, there is not time to show the results of Lot’s choices. But to say, “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). And this is where Lot found himself to be. Notice the daily life style of the inhabitants of Sodom:

“But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” (Genesis 13:13)

Read Genesis 14; 18:20-33; 19:1-38, to see Lot’s miserable condition because of his choice of Sodom. He had to be rescued by Abram from the kings that took Lot away (14:1-24). Lot lost his wife, some of his children, and all of his possessions when God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. He got drunk and lay with his own daughters; from which came the Moabites and Ammonites (enemies of God’s people). Yes, God spared Lot (2 Peter 2:7-8; Genesis 19); but the cost was great to Lot.

Part B. Abram’s Choice:

Genesis 13:9 reveals that Abram knew what God had promised him. Therefore, he waited on God and allowed Lot to make his choice, knowing that God was true to His Promise to Abram.

Verses 14 through 18 prove Abram’s belief that God was indeed true to His Covenant Promise. Note the difference in Abram’s eyesight and Lot’s. Abram’s eyes were directed by God (or by Faith).

Verse 14 says “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him…” (When what God had originally told Abram in Genesis 12:1 had happened; then God spoke to Abram. Note also that God did not speak or direct Lot in his choice, but God did direct Abram in his choice.) God continued speaking to Abram:

“…Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: (15) For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.”

Abram was in the right place already , the Land of Canaan, the place to which God had directed him. The problem was not where Abram was, but those who were around him (Lot and his family) had to be separated from Abram. God’s Covenant was with Abram for the land and the blessings (verse 16). The physical once again points to the spiritual. (See Hebrews 11:10-16.) Abram understood the Covenant was not the physical land, but a better country, a heavenly country, a city “whose builder and maker is God.”

But the primary focus in this devotion, and at this point in Abram’s life and revelation of God, is that Abram’s choice was to believe God’s Word, to separate from the carnal, and to rest in God’s Promises. Don’t look with physical eyes at where you are, but with spiritual eyes of faith.

Genesis 13:18a says, “Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron…”

The result is in verse 18b, “…and built there an altar unto the LORD.”

Note the history of Abram’s life in Genesis 14 – 25:11; it was a life full of God and revelation to Abram; and the blessings of God were upon his life.

Abram’s choice was based upon Faith. That is, Abram had the perception and power of the Almighty God. He had been chosen of God, called of God, commanded of God – and commanded to make a choice of Separation for God’s sake and honor.

Reader, where have you pitched your tent? Is it to feed the flesh or to honor God?