Genesis:13

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* Verse 1-4 - Abram was very rich : he was very heavy , so the Hebrew word is ; for riches are a burden ; and they that will be rich , do but load themselves with thick clay , Habakkuk strkjv @2:6 . There is a burden of care in getting riches , fear in keeping them , temptation in using them , guilt in abusing them , sorrow in losing them , and a burden of account at last to be given up about them . Yet God in his providence sometimes makes good men rich men , and thus God 's blessing made Abram rich without sorrow , Proverbs strkjv @10:22 . Though it is hard for a rich man to get to heaven , yet in some cases it may be , Mark strkjv @10:23 ,24 . Nay , outward prosperity , if well managed , is an ornament to piety , and an opportunity for doing more good . Abram removed to Beth-el . His altar was gone , so that he could not offer sacrifice ; but he called on the name of the Lord . You may as soon find a living man without breath as one of God 's people without prayer . * Verse 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 worse was , that the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in the land . The quarrels of professors are the reproach of religion , and give occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme . It is best to keep the peace , that it be not broken ; but the next best is , if differences do happen , with all speed to quench the fire that is broken out . The attempt to stay this strife was made by Abram , although he was the elder and the greater man . Abram shows himself to be a man of cool spirit , that had the command of his passion , and knew how to turn away wrath by a soft answer . Those that would keep the peace , must never render railing for railing . And of a condescending spirit ; he was willing to beseech even his inferior to be at peace . Whatever others are for , the people of God must be for peace . Abram 's plea for peace was very powerful . Let the people of the land contend about trifles ; but let not us fall out , who know better things , and look for a better country . Professors of religion should be most careful to avoid contention . Many profess to be for peace who will do nothing towards it : not so Abram . When God condescends to beseech us to be reconciled , we may well beseech one another . Though God had promised Abram to give this land to his seed , yet he offered an equal or better share to Lot , who had not an equal right ; and he will not , under the protection of God 's promise , act hardly to his kinsman . It is noble to be willing to yield for peace ' sake . * Verse 10-13 - Abram having offered Lot the choice , he at once accepted it . Passion and selfishness make men rude . Lot looked to the goodness of the land ; therefore he doubted not that in such a fruitful soil he should certainly thrive . But what came of it ? Those who , in choosing relations , callings , dwellings , or settlements , are guided and governed by the lust of the flesh , the lust of the eye , or the pride of life , cannot expect God 's presence or blessing . They are commonly disappointed even in that which they principally aim at . In all our choices this principle should rule , That is best for us , which is best for our souls . Lot little considered the badness of the inhabitants . The men of Sodom were impudent , daring sinners . This was the iniquity of Sodom , pride , fulness of bread , and abundance of idleness , Ezekiel strkjv @16:49 . God often gives great plenty to great sinners . It has often been the vexatious lot of good men to live among wicked neighbours ; and it must be the more grievous , if , as Lot here , they have brought it upon themselves by a wrong choice . * Verse 14-18 - Those are best prepared for the visits of Divine grace , whose spirits are calm , and not ruffled with passion . God will abundantly make up in spiritual peace , what we lose for preserving neighbourly peace . When our relations are separated from us , yet God is not . Observe also the promises with which God now comforted and enriched Abram . Of two things he assures him ; a good land , and a numerous issue to enjoy it . The prospects seen by faith are more rich and beautiful than those we see around us . God bade him walk through the land , not to think of fixing in it , but expect to be always unsettled , and walking through it to a better Canaan . He built an altar , in token of his thankfulness to God . When God meets us with gracious promises , he expects that we should attend him with humble praises . In outward difficulties , it is very profitable for the true believer to mediate on the glorious inheritance which the Lord has for him at the last . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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