Read A Chapter A Day (RACAD) GENESIS 13
ABRAHAM LEARNS HIS LESSON
Gen13: 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.”
In the previous chapter, Genesis 12, Abraham had fled the place GOD asked him to stay because of famine and had gone to Egypt because it was flourishing. In Egypt, he learnt to lie and compromised to live according to the rules of the land in order to prosper. If not for GOD’s intervention, that would have been his end. In the end, He was driven out.
In Genesis 13, we find him returning to the original place where GOD called him to be, where he had built an altar unto the LORD. It was there, he was able to hear GOD again.
Throughout his sojourn in Egypt, he could not hear GOD.
In Genesis 13, he now knew by experience that his prosperity has nothing to do with the situation of the land( whether fertile, famine) but with total obedience to the will of GOD, because right there he prospered so much that the place became too small to contain the prosperity of his household. He couldn’t achieve this in Egypt. Rather in Egypt, he lived in fear and in compromise and far from GOD.
In vs9, when strife burst out between his workers and Lot’s workers, Abraham wanted peace even if it means him taken a second position. He gave his nephew Lot, the right to choose first which ought to have been his, being the elder and his uncle.
He dared to do that because he knew that as long as he remained where GOD told him to, he would never lack.
Lessons to be learnt
1. Prosperity does not come to the Christians by “japaing” for a better future; it comes by staying obedient to GOD, not even when the situation is unfavorable.
2. No matter where you are, as far as the LORD told you to stay there, you do not need to envy others who appear to be doing very well. Your sufficiency is of the LORD. Wait on him.
3. Any “ prosperity move” that takes you away from obeying GOD, will alienate you from GOD, create fear in you that leads you to compromise and make you vulnerable to unknown danger and disgrace.
4. Effective relationship with GOD is restored and only found in the place of obedience and at HIS altar.
5. All that glitters is not gold. Abraham discovered that with the Egypt Experience and Lot who chose by sight, the very fertile places discovered it too late as it consumed his family
This year, no matter what may come our way, may the LORD grant us grace to listen and obey HIM in all areas in the mighty name of JESUS, Amen
