Important notice: Always check out what you hear and see for yourself, as it is up to you as a Christian to do your own studying. Never take anyone's word alone, including this website here, without first always checking it out for yourself. As 2 Timothy 2:15 says "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Genesis 13
1 And Abram went up out of Egypt (Palestine, an ascent up from Egypt), he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south (the Negeb, South of Judea, North from Egypt).
I.e. Abram, Sarai, and Lot have now gone up from Egypt, into Palestine, to the South of Judea.
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Here we see that Abram's famine is now over and his obedience and strong faith in GOD has paid off. Here we see how blessed he really was. When we do things GOD's way, we always come out on top. HE is with us always and HIS ways are always better. See also Isaiah 55:8-9.
3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel (= house of GOD) and Hai (heap of ruins);
Here we see Abram returning to where he had previously built his altar.
4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Notice Abram isn't taking any credit for his riches or success because he knows it wasn't him that got himself through Egypt safely and securely, but GOD. Always give GOD the credit, glory, honor, and praise; HE is most certainly worthy of it. HE is the one who provides us with our blessings.
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
As we can see, Lot was even blessed.
6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
Again, notice how blessed Abram was, to where his herd was so big, that there was not enough room for both sets of their cattle to dwell there together.
7 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.
Notice the Canaanites and the Perizzites dwelled also in the land. Although there was strife between Abram and Lot, perhaps a lot of it came due to the Canaanites and the Perizzites [most likely a second influx of nephilim] being in the land too. We see once again, satan's attempt to try and mess with the Adamic race (the race in which would bring forth CHRIST).
8 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.
Instead of letting the strife get the best of him, notice how maturely Abram handles the situation. Here we see Abram letting Lot know that this is not an issue to cause strife over. Just as satan tried to get the best of Abram and Lot, so does he try to get the best of many CHRISTian families today and cause strife, by causing controversies and arguments among each other; whenever that happens, we are to remain calm and handle the situation wisely and maturely, in a way that CHRIST would. After all, CHRIST has given us power over satan and his enemies (Luke 10:19), so don't give in to him. As CHRISTians, this is a good reason as to why we should anoint our homes with virgin olive oil from time to time, ordering all evilness out in the name of CHRIST because HE is the anointed one by which all evil spirits tremble and fear. Not only should we anoint, but we should pray for each other and pray together.
9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: 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.
Notice Abram gives Lot his choice of land, that is because Abram knows that wherever he goes, GOD will provide for him.
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.
I.e. Lot sees the river (Jordan) and heads for it as a place for him and his herd.
11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Notice Lot lifted up his own eyes and made his own choice. Compare to verse 14 below. At this point, Lot thinks he has the best place of habitation considering the water, but as we will see later on, it wasn't a very wise choice considering the wickedness that will take place in that area.
12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
Here we see Lot has put himself into more strife.
14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
I.e. GOD is telling Abram to look in every direction, all around, from the place he is standing. Notice GOD chose for Abram; strictly topographical.
15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
As far as Abram could see, the land was his.
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
See Galatians 3:16, Galatians 3:26-29, Hosea 1:10.
17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
GOD's blessing to Abram.
18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre (Plain = among the oaks belonging to Mamre [= strength, fatness], the brother of Eschol and Abner), which is in Hebron (= alliance), and built there an altar unto the LORD.
Just as Abram put GOD first in everything, and received GOD's blessings, so should we put GOD first in everything we do, because we live in CHRIST, and CHRIST lives in us. If we want blessings, then we'll be a blessing to GOD and include HIM in everything we do too. GOD always takes care of HIS own. Never doubt HIM.
I.e. Abram, Sarai, and Lot have now gone up from Egypt, into Palestine, to the South of Judea.
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
Here we see that Abram's famine is now over and his obedience and strong faith in GOD has paid off. Here we see how blessed he really was. When we do things GOD's way, we always come out on top. HE is with us always and HIS ways are always better. See also Isaiah 55:8-9.
3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel (= house of GOD) and Hai (heap of ruins);
Here we see Abram returning to where he had previously built his altar.
4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Notice Abram isn't taking any credit for his riches or success because he knows it wasn't him that got himself through Egypt safely and securely, but GOD. Always give GOD the credit, glory, honor, and praise; HE is most certainly worthy of it. HE is the one who provides us with our blessings.
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
As we can see, Lot was even blessed.
6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
Again, notice how blessed Abram was, to where his herd was so big, that there was not enough room for both sets of their cattle to dwell there together.
7 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.
Notice the Canaanites and the Perizzites dwelled also in the land. Although there was strife between Abram and Lot, perhaps a lot of it came due to the Canaanites and the Perizzites [most likely a second influx of nephilim] being in the land too. We see once again, satan's attempt to try and mess with the Adamic race (the race in which would bring forth CHRIST).
8 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.
Instead of letting the strife get the best of him, notice how maturely Abram handles the situation. Here we see Abram letting Lot know that this is not an issue to cause strife over. Just as satan tried to get the best of Abram and Lot, so does he try to get the best of many CHRISTian families today and cause strife, by causing controversies and arguments among each other; whenever that happens, we are to remain calm and handle the situation wisely and maturely, in a way that CHRIST would. After all, CHRIST has given us power over satan and his enemies (Luke 10:19), so don't give in to him. As CHRISTians, this is a good reason as to why we should anoint our homes with virgin olive oil from time to time, ordering all evilness out in the name of CHRIST because HE is the anointed one by which all evil spirits tremble and fear. Not only should we anoint, but we should pray for each other and pray together.
9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: 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.
Notice Abram gives Lot his choice of land, that is because Abram knows that wherever he goes, GOD will provide for him.
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.
I.e. Lot sees the river (Jordan) and heads for it as a place for him and his herd.
11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Notice Lot lifted up his own eyes and made his own choice. Compare to verse 14 below. At this point, Lot thinks he has the best place of habitation considering the water, but as we will see later on, it wasn't a very wise choice considering the wickedness that will take place in that area.
12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
Here we see Lot has put himself into more strife.
14 And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:
I.e. GOD is telling Abram to look in every direction, all around, from the place he is standing. Notice GOD chose for Abram; strictly topographical.
15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
As far as Abram could see, the land was his.
16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
See Galatians 3:16, Galatians 3:26-29, Hosea 1:10.
17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
GOD's blessing to Abram.
18 Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre (Plain = among the oaks belonging to Mamre [= strength, fatness], the brother of Eschol and Abner), which is in Hebron (= alliance), and built there an altar unto the LORD.
Just as Abram put GOD first in everything, and received GOD's blessings, so should we put GOD first in everything we do, because we live in CHRIST, and CHRIST lives in us. If we want blessings, then we'll be a blessing to GOD and include HIM in everything we do too. GOD always takes care of HIS own. Never doubt HIM.