International Sunday School Lesson September 1, 2024
Text: Genesis 13:8-18
Background
Today’s lesson is about an unusual story in the Old Testament. Most of the time, people try to maneuver themselves into the best position possible. However, we see Abraham only concerned with living peacefully with his nephew. He was not concerned with his material well-being. Things worked out great for Abraham regardless. His nephew Lot, however, did not fare as well. We will see that Lot picked the most materially beneficial area for himself. He put his wealth first. It did not work out well for Lot.
Peace Loving
Genesis 13:8-9 ESV Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. (9) Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”
Abraham and Lot each had a large crew. There appears to be striving between their crews. Abraham wanted a peaceful relationship with his nephew and between their staff. Peace was the main goal with Abraham. Notice how Abraham gave Lot complete freedom to pick whatever area he wanted. This is very unusual considering Abraham was the Elder. That shows the humility of Abraham.
Hebrews 12:14 ESV Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.
Matthew 5:9 ESV “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
We should seek peace at every opportunity. A Christian should not be cantankerous or argumentative. That destroys our testimony and hinders us from witnessing for the Lord Jesus Christ. Abraham has given us a great example of how we should conduct our day-to-day business.
Picking the Choice Site
Genesis 13:10-12 ESV And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) (11) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. (12) Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom.
We see here that Lot selected the best area for himself. His priority was getting the best for himself. Later in Genesis, we see that this did not work out well for Lot. This can happen to us. We can make that selfish choice. It can blow up later because of that selfish choice. Always pray and seek the will of God.
2 Peter 2:7-8 ESV and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (8) (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);
The area that Lot had selected was very ungodly. It had every type of debauchery. This evil was all through the area.
Great Sinners
Genesis 13:13 ESV Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.
The story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah tells of the men of the town sought to rape the angels that were sent. This was not out of the ordinary in that City. Evil abounded in Sodom and Gomorrah. No amount of temporary wealth could make up for the evil that Lot was seeing.
Luke 17:28-33 ESV Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, (29) but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— (30) so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed. (31) On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. (32) Remember Lot’s wife. (33) Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.
When we are thinking of the second coming of Christ, we need to compare it to two events in the Old testament. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is one of those events. Everyone in the city thought things were going to remain constant . But, destruction came suddenly. The other event we need to remember is the flood of Noah. Everyone thought things were going to keep going like they had been going. And then the rain started to fall. Friends, that’s the way it will be when Jesus comes back. The world will be rocking-on thinking things will be the same the next day. And then — everything changes. Be prepared.
Holy Land Promised
Genesis 13:14-17 ESV The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, (15) for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. (16) I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted. (17) Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.”
God promised the holy land to Abraham and his descendants.
Psalms 105:9-15 ESV the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, (10) which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, (11) saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance.” (12) When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it, (13) wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people, (14) he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, (15) saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”
Regardless what anyone thinks, God promised the holy Land to the Jews. That is why we should all pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. That is why we should be a friend to Israel.
Worshipped God
Genesis 13:18 ESV So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the LORD.
Abraham worshiped God at every opportunity. We should be like-minded . Every chance we get, we should spend time worshiping God. The act of worship puts us in the right frame of mind. It gives us joy in our heart. And as the scripture says, “the joy of the Lord is our strength “.
1 Timothy 2:8 ESV I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
We should worship God at every opportunity. We should be at peace within our churches. Churches should be a safe place. Church talk should focus on God and not things of this world. For example, we should never argue over politics inside the house of God. I know we are in the voting season. I believe all of us should vote. I vote and even send a few dollars to the folks running that I think have good sense. But that is all outside of the house of God. The house of God is for worshiping. It is not for canvassing for votes. Keep the things of this world out of the house of God.
Concluding Thoughts
A couple of concluding thoughts that I want to reiterate from today’s lesson. Don’t be selfish. Follow Abraham’s unselfish example. Worship God at every opportunity. Be careful when you make a selfish choice, it might really cost you like it did Lot.
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