November 20, 2017
Genesis 13:14-17(All Scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated)
Two relatives, two choices, and the two outcomes of the two relatives’ choices – we have concentrated in the last three blogs on Lot’s choice and it’s disastrous results! Now let’s look at how Abraham’s choice turned out! Here’s Genesis 13:14 through 17:
And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift
up your eyes now and look from the place where you are — northward,
southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give
to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants
as the dust of the earth….Arise, walk in the land through its length and
its width, for I give it to you.”
Abraham’s choice is recorded in Genesis 13:9 when he said to Lot, “Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or…the right, then I…the left.” Then God took over! Read again our featured Scripture above.
• So the first result of Abraham’s choice was God’s direction! But remember, the LORD had already promised him in Genesis 12:7, “To your descendants I will give this land [of Canaan].” That’s why it’s called, “…the land of promise…” in Hebrews 11:9. So Abraham was already familiar with God’s word!
That is upon what our decisions are to be based! How can we make Godly choices if we are not familiar with what He wants? And what He wants – the LORD’s mind – is revealed in the Bible!
✞ The Bible is not man’s word! We are told in II Peter 1:21, “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” Although this refers to the Old Testament, the same is true of the New! (See II Timothy 3:16, 17). Scripture is God’s Word perfectly reflecting God’s mind!
✞ Because the Holy Spirit takes residence within us when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior (see I Corinthians 6:19, 20), we have the potential of being led by the mind of the LORD from within! (See Isaiah 30:21). That is why Paul writes in…
▸ …Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
▸ …I Corinthians 2:16, “…we have the mind of Christ.”
Notice in our featured Scripture that Abraham was told that he would be given “…all the land which you see…northward, southward, eastward, and westward…” (Genesis 13:14 and 15). Lot had already chosen “…all the plain of Jordan…,” to the west! But God knew Lot would not keep it! Although the site of the Dead Sea and surrounding desert is desolate, it will yet prove invaluable to Abraham’s descendants because of the available minerals and the confirmed rich oil reserves!
• The land of promise (or the Promised Land) has been the center of God’s work in the earth ever since Abraham! And, according to Jeremiah 30:3 with Romans 11:25 and 26, God will yet work in and through that land of Israel ! (See also Zechariah 14:4; Acts 1:11). And in the “…new heaven and…new earth…” (Revelation 21:1), the blessed center of it all will be “…the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will…be their God.” (Revelation 21:2 and 3).
• Because Abraham was faithful in obeying God (see especially Genesis 22:1-14), the LORD promised him in Genesis 22:16 through 18:
“By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, because you have done this
thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son, in blessing I will
bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the
stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your
descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. And in your seed
shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed
My voice.”
✡ Who are Abraham’s decendants? Israel – the Jews! They are Abraham’s descendants!
✡ And through what nation and people did the Lord Jesus Christ come? Israel – the Jews – Abraham’s descendants!
And so it is written in Romans 4:11, 13, and 16 (Contemporary English Version) that Abraham is…
…the father of all who are acceptable to God because of their faith….
God promised Abraham and his descendants that He would give them
the world. This promise was…made because…his faith in God made
him acceptable….Everything depends on having faith in God, so that
God’s promise is assured by His great kindness. This promise…is for
all who are Abraham’s descendants because they have faith, just as he
did. Abraham is the ancestor of us all.
What far-ranging outcomes resulted from Abraham’s choice! …but from Lot’s choice also! …one very good, and the other very bad – for generations to come!
So do not think that what you choose affects only your immediate self! You may be setting the future for your children, grandchildren, and succeeding generations until the end of time – and on into eternity! Be careful what you choose! Follow the LORD – closely! (See Luke 9:23; John 12:26).