Continuing with David Niednagel’s daily S.O.A.P in Genesis (study, observe, apply, pray)

Genesis 13  Learning from every event

13:1  So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev, along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned. ²(Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.) ³ From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before. ⁴ This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again.   NLT

I wonder if his worship was more mature this time? Not just for the “blessings” but also for the sovereignty He experienced in Egypt. I hope he had more “fear of the Lord” this time.

5 Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents. ⁶ But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. ⁷ So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. … 8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! ⁹ The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”

Abe seems to have a mature trust in the Yahweh for all his needs, and was therefore non-threatened and generous in offering Lot first choice.

10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the LORD or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) ¹¹ Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. ¹² So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. ¹³ But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.

Lot’s land was better for his flocks, but not his family. Location. Location. Location.

14 After Lot had gone, the LORD said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. ¹⁵ I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. ¹⁶ And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! ¹⁷Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the LORD.

Yahweh told more about His covenant. He would give all that land to Abe. Abe would not have to purchase it or fight for it. So Abe worshiped again, and (I think) he worshiped better.

Lord, help me learn and reflect on each event in Abram’s life, and then reflect on every event in my life whether itseems good or bad. May that reflection result in more genuine and trusting worship, and may my life show worship long after the songs are over. You have been faithful to provide all my needs, so help me be generous in giving to others, and be an instrument of Yours just like You have used others to provide for me. Help me think about future consequences of all my decisions, so I don’t choose immediate benefits and forfeit eternal ones. Amen