(5, 6) Lot.—He, too, had possibly received presents in Egypt, for we find him rivalling his uncle in wealth; and the “tents” show that he had numerous followers, and, like Abram, was the chief of a powerful clan. The repetition that “the land was not able to bear them,” and that “they could not dwell together,” implies that the difficulty had long been felt before it led to an open rupture. read more
Genesis 13:10-11 The lesson to be gained from the history of Abraham and Lot is obviously this that nothing but a clear apprehension of things unseen, a simple trust in God's promises, and the greatness of mind thence arising, can make us act above the world indifferent, or almost so, to its comforts, enjoyments, and friendships, or in other words, that its goods corrupt the common run even of religious men who possess them.... Could we not easily persuade ourselves to support Antichrist, I... read more
LOT’S SEPARATION FROM ABRAMGenesis 13:1-18ABRAM left Egypt thinking meanly of himself, highly of God. This humble frame of mind is disclosed in the route he chooses; he went straight back "unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, unto the altar which he had made there at the first." With a childlike simplicity he seems to own that his visit to Egypt had been a mistake. He had gone there supposing that he was thrown upon his own resources, and that, in order to keep himself and... read more
CHAPTER 13 The Return from Egypt and Separation from Lot 1. Back to Bethel (Genesis 13:1-4 ) 2. The strife (Genesis 13:5-7 ) 3. The separation. Lot in Sodom (Genesis 13:8-13 ) 4. The third communication of Jehovah (Genesis 13:14-18 ) Abram is graciously brought back. Abram could not have remained in Egypt forever. So the believer who has wandered away from the Lord will be restored. How precious the altar at Bethel must have been to him. Dispensationally Abram’s going down to Egypt... read more
RECOVERY At last Abram "went up," leaving Egypt behind and coming into the south of the land of Canaan. Again Lot is mentioned as accompanying his uncle Abram. But Abram had been greatly enriched in Egypt (v.2), and Lot also had been prospered. There are two distinct lessons here. Typically speaking, God will use even the history of our failure to result in spiritual blessing. Such is His sovereign grace. But on the other hand, literally speaking, temporal blessings do not mean spiritual... read more
THE PROMISE RENEWED TO ABRAM ABRAM IN EGYPT (Genesis 12:10-20 ) It is felt that Abram acted unadvisedly in taking this journey to Egypt, for which three reasons are assigned: 1. God could have provided for him in Canaan, notwithstanding the famine; there was no command for him to leave Canaan, to which place God had definitely called him; and 2. he fell into difficulty by going, and was obliged to employ subterfuge to escape it. Still these arguments are not convincing, and in the... read more
Abram and Lot Gen 13:1 This is the first time, is it not, that a rich man is mentioned in the Bible. I do not remember that we have yet seen that great division of human society which is known by the names of "rich" and "poor." Now there is a rich man before us, and we shall see what rich men do when they are put to it. A wonderful thing it is, by the way, that some men should be rich and others poor they live on the same earth, they need the same comforts, yet one man seems to have... read more
5-9 Riches not only afford matter for strife, and are the things most commonly striven about; but they also stir up a spirit of contention, by making people proud and covetous. Mine and thine are the great make-bates of the world. Poverty and labour, wants and wanderings, could not separate Abram and Lot; but riches did so. Bad servants often make a great deal of mischief in families and among neighbours, by their pride and passion, lying, slandering, and talebearing. What made the quarrel... read more
Gen_13:5 Gen_15:21 . Another crisis in the life of Abram now comes before us. His was the faith that led to the migration from Ur, and in Lot he found a companion. Lot shared in his pilgrimage up to a certain point, but evidently, though a righteous man, he did not fully share in the faith that prompted the pilgrimage. A point had now been reached when the increase in their possessions, under the Divine blessing, was such that strife broke out among their servants and they could no longer... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 13:1-18
The Return of Abraham from Egypt, and his Separation from Lot1. Into the south] see on Genesis 12:9.5, 6. There was not sufficient pasturage and water (especially after the recent famine and drought) for the two encampments with their flocks and herds, which doubtless numbered many thousands.7. The Perizzite] ’dweller in open villages.’ It is thought by some that they were the original inhabitants of the country who had been subdued by Canaanite invaders. The words dwelled then in the land... read more