Genesis Chapter 13 - When Life Is Unfair

After leaving Egypt, Abram and Lot both became very successful herdsmen. So successful, in fact, that the land could not support them both. Also, there were petty arguments between their workers. Abram, being older and wiser, saw the need for the two parties to separate. He gave Lot first choice as to where he would dwell…to the east or to the west. Lot chose the appealing area of the east as it looked more fertile. It was the lust of his eye that drew him, a choice that would be detrimental to his family. Lot chose to move to the area of Sodom, where there was much wickedness.

What a contrast between these two men. Abram had every right to be first in choosing the land he wanted. He was older, a father figure to Lot. Probably most of what Lot had was due to Abram’s generosity. Also, God had already promised the land to Abram, not Lot. So for Abram to give Lot first choice shows a man full of grace. His example in resolving conflicts is good for us to observe:

1. Abram recognized the problem, the family conflict, and took the initiative to correct it.

2. Abram elevated the desire of the other person above his own desire, even though the outcome might be unfair.

3. Abram sought to have peace in the family above all else. Hebrews 12:14 reminds us: "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord."

While it appeared that Abram was very determined to live by the standards of God’s holiness, Lot was a man who lived by his own standards. He sought what was best for him, not really caring about anyone else. You would have thought out of respect for his uncle who had raised him he would have given Abram the best land, the first choice. However, greed led Lot to make a foolish choice. Foolish choices lead to disaster, step by step. When we ignore God’s best for us, and decide to go our own way, we have made a foolish choice, and we, too, can expect eventual disaster.

After Lot left to pursue his own pleasures, God again came to Abram and promised him all the land he could see and a multitude of descendants. God said to Abram, "Lift up your eyes and look.....and you will see....for I am giving it to you." (vs. 14-17).

God knows when we are left behind, put down, rejected, passed over, ignored, left out. He knows that sometimes life is unfair, and the unfairness brings pain, grief, and loneliness. But He says to us the same words He spoke to Abram. He wants us to look above and beyond our present circumstances. He has a plan far greater than we could ever imagine. His blessings far surpass what we could choose for ourselves. If we are obedient to Him, He is going to reward us for that faithfulness, on that we can rely. We need to take our eyes off ourselves and off those around us who have treated us poorly, and we need to see Jesus.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." (Hebrews 12:2-3)

Abram showed us how to respond when life is unfair. He believed God was in charge of his destiny, and he built an altar to the Lord. That was his worship, his way of expressing gratitude to God, and his dependence upon God. Let us show our gratitude to our heavenly Father as we depend on Him to see us through our "unfair" circumstances.