Sermon #887
Title: The Strife Between Abraham and Lot
Text: Genesis 13:1-13
Reading:
Subject: The evil of strife between believers
Date: Tuesday Evening - October 31, 1989
Tape #
Introduction:
The passage of Scripture we have just
read 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. It was a strife between members
of the same family. Abraham was Lot’s Uncle. It was a 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. And, 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 liked 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.” And
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? Basically, I think, there are three reasons.
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 God to purify our hearts and shape us into the
image of his dear Son. A second reason for our trials is to make us long for
heaven. When God permits strife to rise between believers, especially of the
same family, it is to teach us that this is not our home. And, thirdly, these
painful, shameful domestic troubles are permitted by God that we may learn by
them, that we may learn patience, forbearance, and kindness toward one another.
You have probably already guessed that
my message tonight is going to be downright plain, dealing with problems right
where we live. I have a message that God has used to reprove and instruct my
own heart. I hope it will help you.
God permitted the strife between
Abraham and Lot to arise, come to a head, and erupt in permanent separation,
shameful as it was, and recorded for us in the Holy Scriptures, so that we
might learn from their mistakes.
Proposition:
Strife between brethren is always shameful, bringing
reproach upon the gospel we believe and upon the God we serve.
Divisions:
I want you to see four things in this sad incident in the
lives of Abraham and Lot.
1.
The
shamefulness of their quarrel.
2.
The exemplary
conduct of Abraham.
3.
The lamentable
choice of Lot.
4.
The costliness
of Lot’s choice.
I. The
Shamefulness of their quarrel (v.
7).
Let me give you a little background.
You will remember that the God of glory appeared unto Abraham when he was in
Mesopotamia.
·
God chose
Abraham.
·
God called
Abraham.
·
God made a
covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3).
I do not know how much Abraham knew.
But 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. And his faith was imputed to him for righteousness (Rom.
4:3, 13). Believing God, 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. But he had to leave Bethel, because of the famine that arose in the
land. He went down into Egypt for a while. But 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. You see…
A. 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.
Let me tell you a little something
about these riches. The word translated “rich” in verse two literally means
“heavy”. You see riches are a burden. And those who seek to be rich load
themselves with thick clay (Hab. 2:6).
Riches are a heavy burden - “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” (Matthew Henry).
1.
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.
2.
But very few
men can be both wealthy and useful.
I have been around long enough to 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. They all think, “If I had just a little more, look what I
could do for the cause of Christ.” But, usually, the more they get…
·
The less they
give.
·
The less they
attend the worship of God.
·
The less they
do for Christ, his people, and the furtherance of the gospel.
How 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” (Prov. 30:8-9).
I warn you once more, my friends, “Beware of covetousness!” Beware of “the deceitfulness of riches!” All of
Lot’s woes began when his herds and his gold began to increase!
B. This was a shameful quarrel because Abraham and Lot were brothers and friends (v. 8).
They were physically related. Lot was
Abraham’s nephew. But, 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 invited Lot to join him. They had walked
together for years in the pursuit of God’s 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.
1.
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 for a little more property!
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!
2.
And strife
between brethren is always petty!
Brethren do not fall out over the
gospel. If the gospel is at stake, somebody has to fall out. But brethren
quarrel about petty things, things that really amount to nothing but pride!
What can be more shameful?
C. And this strife was shameful because It gave the enemies of God occasion to blaspheme.
“The Canaanite
and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land” (v.
7). The Spirit of God here shows 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!
Do you see the shamefulness of this quarrel?
II. The Exemplary
Conduct of Abraham (vv. 8-9).
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.
And his conduct throughout the matter exemplified what believers ought to do in
such matters.
A. 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” (Prov.
17:14). Abraham took the initiative (v. 8).
“God, give me grace to see that peace
between me and my brethren is more valuable than my own will.”
·
The glory of
God is at stake.
·
The gospel is
at stake.
·
The souls of
men are at stake.
·
Friendship is
at stake.
B. Abraham
condescended to Lot’s pleasure.
1.
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
petty, obstinate, and self-willed.
2.
Therefore
Abraham yielded to Lot!
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.
1.
This is
Christianity!
Christianity is more than
doctrines, and creeds, and ordinances. Christianity is Christ in you. And if
Christ is in you, he will stick out in your life!
Illustration: The
Little Girl.
Todd Nibert - St. Joseph Hospital
Earnest and Leroy - The price of a
Lawnmower!
C. 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?
1.
Abraham
believed God.
2.
Abraham loved
Lot.
3.
Abraham was
dead to this world!
Do you see how honorable and exemplary
Abraham’s conduct was?
III. The Lamentable
Chose of Lot (vv. 10-13).
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. 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. And 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 was no
prophet in Sodom - only riches.
·
There was no
altar in Sodom - only land.
·
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.
1.
He lifted up
his eyes and beheld the land.
2.
He chose the
plains of Sodom.
3.
He separated
himself from Abraham.
4.
He dwelt in
the cities of the plains.
5.
He pitched his
tent toward Sodom.
6.
He dwelt in Sodom.
7.
He was elected
to the city council in Sodom!
Do you see how lamentable Lot’s choice
was?
IV. The costliness
of Lot’s choice.
I will be very brief. But I must tell you that 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 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.
·
Abraham lost
nothing (vv. 14-18)!
Application:
1.
Children of
God, “keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace.” Avoid strife with one another at all costs.
2.
“Love not the world!”
3.
In all your
earthly decisions, do not neglect the welfare of your soul - Business -
Marriage, etc. Do right, walk with God, and live in peace!
4.
And know this
- “Salvation is of the Lord!” Lot was
saved by…
·
Sovereign
election!
·
Blood atonement!
·
Imputed
righteousness!
·
Infallible
grace!