Genesis 13:7-8 - And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
Note the importance of unity among brethren: (1) For protection against the Canaanite, etc, (2) For a testimony toward them. We dwell "in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation" among whom we must shine as lights, Philippians 2:15, while united together, Philippians 2:1-4. We need protection from them, Philippians 3:2, and a witness toward them, Philippians 2:16.
Genesis 13:9 - ...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.
Example of voluntary submission by a leader, Ephesians 5:21; I Peter 5:5; Acts 6:1-6 (and see related note there).
Abram led in seeing need for change, but submitted to nephew's decision on the details.
Genesis 13:10 - 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.
Lot's downfall begins with the lust of the eyes, and walking by sight, not by faith.
Genesis 13:12 - Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Example of gradual decline: Lot at first only pitched his tent toward Sodom; then later he dwelt in Sodom (Genesis 14:12); then later still he is a civic leader sitting at the gate of Sodom (Genesis 19:1); by now he is completely ensnared in Sodom, calling the most wicked Sodomites his "brethren" (Genesis 19:7), giving his daughters in marriage to them (Genesis 19:14), unwilling to give up Sodom (Genesis 19:15-16).
VM
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