Abram and Lot
Open Your Bible
Genesis 12:10-20, Genesis 13:1-18, Genesis 14:1-24, Hebrews 7:11-22
BY Bailey Gillespie
Today’s reading is packed with action: famine strikes, Pharaoh gets deceived, Abram is kicked out of Egypt. It’s the making of a great summer blockbuster. After Lot and Abram’s respective herdsmen begin quarrelling about their small quarters, Abram sets a boundary. In an attempt to maintain harmony, he gives Lot the hard truth and asks him to separate from the group and make his home elsewhere. “Isn’t the whole land before you?” Abram asks, perhaps with a sweeping gesture of his arm (Genesis 13:9). The surrounding plain of the Jordan River was lush and ready for the taking (v.10).
After Lot gets himself in all sorts of trouble, Abram comes through and rescues him. I imagine he was a little agitated by his nephew’s actions, but it wasn’t in his nature to abandon him to his own folly. With the sweat and dirt of conquest still fresh on his clothes, he’s given bread and wine as the priest Melchizedek proclaims: “Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth” (Genesis 14:19).
Was Abram blessed by God because he was a victorious warrior? A protective uncle? Although, in this case, it may look like blessing is synonymous with circumstantial favor, we have to dig a little deeper. Abram isn’t necessarily blessed because He was delivered from his physical enemies. We know from other passages in Scripture that this predictable, cause-and-effect sort of way isn’t how God works. So, why does Melchizedek give him this blessing?
The second part of the message the priest brings is “blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you” (v.20). It appears that Abram isn’t the only one who is blessed—God is, too! Ultimately, God gets the glory for delivering Abram over to his enemies, and it’s His own power and blessing that covers Abram.
Just as Abram was blessed by the God Most High, so are we. Our blessing isn’t dependent on releasing nephews from captivity (although I’d like to think we’d rise to the occasion), but just as Melchizedek came bearing bread and wine, Christ extends His own body and blood to us. When we accept His gift, we enter into abundant life. We are blessed not because of our own merit but simply because He blesses us. Today, let’s carry this story with us as a reminder that God is at work in our lives. Whether in physical circumstances or matters of the heart, He has called us blessed because we are first, and foremost, His.
59 thoughts on "Abram and Lot"
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While reading today Gen.13:8 what I saw was Lot moved according to what he appealed to his sight while Abram moved by faith and didn’t care which direction he was left with. I believe Abram knew he would be blessed because he was simply a man of faith. Even as I often remind myself that I have to walk daily by faith and not by what it looks like as I am believing God for some things to manifest in my life. I also notice that God told Abram to walk around the land he had given to Abram, even as God told Joshua I believe God did this to build continue faith in the heart of Abram as tough times would come. I’m grateful for the teaching today I will meditate on Gen. 14:18 Melchizedek brought bread and wine out even as Christ also was broken and bleed for us. I am eternally grateful!
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He already has blessed me and I am full – hallelujah ❤️ this reading is God sent and I am full of praise to the Lord. He keeps watch and loves us even when we don’t deserve it and won’t accept it. Amen.
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I find it interesting that Bailey seems to interpret the story of Lot’s capture to be due to his “own folly” and that he “gets himself into all sorts of trouble.” Not sure I see that in this narrative. Yet, I do see that whether or not Lot was responsible for his captivity, it was a kind thing for his uncle to risk lives of his men to rescue him. And, I’m so glad to be reminded of the so needed truth that God blessed Abram, not because he was such a great warrior, uncle or man, but because blessing comes from God since he is the Blessed One, who gives us all good things! Humbly, I rejoice in this today with great thanksgiving!
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Courtney I will be praying for you and your baby.
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Blessings,blessings….. blessings from God is what I hear my mom say often whenever we are given something unexpected or something that we were needing or just a blessing “just-because”. I could go on and on of the blessings my kids and I have received since we moved in here. I can see my mom’s face lifted up to the Lord. Blessings! God is SO good! He is Jehovah Jireh!
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I love that God has a history of giving grace when I have done absolutely nothing to earn it. In fact, it seems to be the opposite most times…I’m sitting after a complete failure astonished at the blessing and good in my life because of Him ❤️ He is so GOOD
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“We are blessed not because of our own merit but simply because He blesses us. Today, let’s carry this story with us as a reminder that God is at work in our lives. Whether in physical circumstances or matters of the heart, He has called us blessed because we are first, and foremost, His.” I love this. This is something I struggle with and I struggle with – I have sinned therefore God will punish me. Could you ladies pray, I found out I was expecting baby#2 and my husband and I are really excited but I struggle with anxiety when I ma pregnant. I worry that something will go wrong with the baby and I just pray for a healthy baby and that I would TRUST God.
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Praying for you, to trust God & give your anxiety to Him (1Peter 5:7). He already knows & loves your baby!
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I will be praying for peace and a healthy baby!
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Courtney I too stand in agreement with you that the spirit of anxiety that tries to paralyze you is put to death in Jesus name! I will be reading Philippians 4:6-7 on your behalf as I give thanks for your baby #2. :) Peace and blessings upon you and your family.
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Prayed for God to calm you , wrap his arms around you and assure you everything will be okay. He has blessed you many times and baring another child is a blessing within itself. Be patient with self and God will handle the rest..
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Courtney..I have struggled with anxiety inside pregnancy and out of it. I understand. You are not alone. ❤️
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His GRACE is enough for me
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