By Pastor Elijah Mutiso
Associate Pastor, Fedha Church KAG
Main Scripture: Genesis 13:1-18
Storyline
Genesis 13:1 Abram is returning from Egypt to the place God had commanded him. He is moving with his great wealth and family, and Lot is also going with him.
Genesis 13:5 Lot was moving about with him
Lot was his nephew and both of them have plenty of flocks and herds beyond what the land can support. This result in a conflict and they separate and part ways. Abraham gives Lot liberty to choose wherever seemed best for him and lot chooses the plains of Jordan near Sodom which were greener for his flocks.
Genesis 13:14 the Lord said to Abraham after Lot had parted with him
Genesis 13:15 All the land you see is yours, even what Lot choose belonged to Abraham
Some background (context)
In Gen12:1-5
The heading of this chapter is The call of Abraham
But in the real sense, God had called Abraham in the previous chapter.
Verse 1
“The Lord had [past tense] said to Abraham “Go from your country, your people, your father’s household to the land I will show you”
In verses 4 and 5 we see Abraham Haran. He moves from Haran to Canaan with his family, wealth, and he also takes Lot [his nephew] with him.
Note his home country was not Harran but Ur of Chaldeans.
Two things to note:
Genesis 12:1 says the Lord had said meaning this was previously before he had settled in this place, Haran,
1. So when had God spoken to Abram to move and leave his country and his family?
2. Why was he in Haran and not Canaan?
Genesis 11:31-32
We see Abraham leaving his home town Ur and they are headed for Canaan but they settle in Haran until the father dies. Notice he involved his father Terah instead of leaving him. Worse enough it is the father who took charge of the journey and he is in charge and he decides to settle in Haran and the journey to Canaan is no more. Maybe Haran was very convenient for the dad and Abraham's journey to Canaan stops there until the father dies. For 15 years they are Haran. Though it is the father who is in charge, we know why they were moving. It was not the initiative of the dad but out what God had spoken to Abraham. The command to move had happened in his native land Ur of Chaldeans
Act 7: 2-2-4
The scripture clearly says God had spoken to Abraham that's why they left Ur and even though we see the father in charge it was Abraham that was supposed to be in charge. He was to leave his people including his father and go to Canaan but he involved him and he took charge of the journey to Canaan but settled them in Harran instead of Canaan until he died. When we see Abraham moving from Harran in chapter 11, God is appearing to him again after his father dies. Again It is not until they part with lot his nephew God speaks to him and he is given the possession
Lessons
1. We must let go of our precious and let God
There are some things we hold so dearly or we are so attached to so much that takes the place of God in our lives. These things become idols in our lives. They command our attention, time and resources and we miss out on God and his will.
2. Whatever we don’t let go of will keep us away from our blessings
There are some things we hold so dearly or we are so attached to so much that takes the place of God in our lives. These things become idols in our lives. They command our attention, time and resources and we miss out on God and his will.
2. Whatever we don’t let go of will keep us away from our blessings
Terah Abraham's father prevented him from getting to Canaan and instead of settling in Haran and he failed to possess Canaan. As long as he was in Haran, Canaan was not his. He had to die for Abraham to obey, move on and receive the blessing. If we can't let go, because God loves us so much, he takes them away so that we can have the blessing he has ordained for us.
Isaiah 6:1
What is this that is so dear to you that you need to let go for God to have his way? Is it your job, family, finance, asset, business, relationship, position or achievement? Abram proceeded with Lot but they had to part for God to speak to him and give him the land. What is this that you need to part with for God to bless you or else you miss out on your blessing?
Matthew 10:37-39
Jesus must be no one in our lives; we must not allow anything or anyone to replace him. That amounts into idol worship and it will keep away from our blessing
Philippians 3:7-8
Nothing should be more valuable than God if we are going to possess our blessing.
We must let go of everything and let God have his way.
As long as Terah was present, Abraham could not proceed to reach Canaan, his blessed inheritance.
3. Whatever we don’t let go of will eat into our share of blessing
As long as Lot was there. There was conflict and no peace. There are things when we allow them in our lives, especially sins that deny you peace, joy, rest, breakthrough, favour or blessings, the joy of salvation or hurt you. As long as Lot was there, Abraham’s herds and cattle could not have enough. As long as Lot was there God could hand over the land to Abraham, they would conflict over it and Lot was not a partaker. In fact, even the choice land that Lot took was meant for Abraham.
Lot had become wealthy yet alikuwa anakulia neema ya Abraham (he has grace as a result of walking under Abraham). All the wealth Lot had was supposed to belong to Abraham and his family. But by the time he left Sodom he had nothing, meaning everything he had was courtesy of Abraham. All the time we see Abram making alters but not a single time Lot is making one, and when he is in trouble Abraham has to go bail him. There are people or things in your life in shida tupu umejiwekelea (that are problems you have put on yourself). They may seem beneficial or necessary but in the real sense ni hasara (they are a loss). You will suffer and bear their suffering. You are better off without it or him or her. Is there someone or something you need to part with because they are eating your share of blessing? You think it is necessary but you indeed need to lose it.
Exodus 34:12
Lot chose Sodom as his portion yet it was Abraham's Land, God told Abraham all that land was his. So Abraham alikuwa anajikata miguu na (limiting himself with) Lot. Could be you are holding on to what is demeaning you or hurting you. Despite all the wealth Lot had, without Abraham he lost everything meaning all he had was as a result of Abraham. He enjoyed protection because of Abraham's prayer.
Gen 15:1 I am your great exceeding reward.
All you need Abraham is me. You need me more than anything else. If you have me, you have everything
Isaiah 6:1
What is this that is so dear to you that you need to let go for God to have his way? Is it your job, family, finance, asset, business, relationship, position or achievement? Abram proceeded with Lot but they had to part for God to speak to him and give him the land. What is this that you need to part with for God to bless you or else you miss out on your blessing?
Matthew 10:37-39
Jesus must be no one in our lives; we must not allow anything or anyone to replace him. That amounts into idol worship and it will keep away from our blessing
Philippians 3:7-8
Nothing should be more valuable than God if we are going to possess our blessing.
We must let go of everything and let God have his way.
As long as Terah was present, Abraham could not proceed to reach Canaan, his blessed inheritance.
3. Whatever we don’t let go of will eat into our share of blessing
As long as Lot was there. There was conflict and no peace. There are things when we allow them in our lives, especially sins that deny you peace, joy, rest, breakthrough, favour or blessings, the joy of salvation or hurt you. As long as Lot was there, Abraham’s herds and cattle could not have enough. As long as Lot was there God could hand over the land to Abraham, they would conflict over it and Lot was not a partaker. In fact, even the choice land that Lot took was meant for Abraham.
Lot had become wealthy yet alikuwa anakulia neema ya Abraham (he has grace as a result of walking under Abraham). All the wealth Lot had was supposed to belong to Abraham and his family. But by the time he left Sodom he had nothing, meaning everything he had was courtesy of Abraham. All the time we see Abram making alters but not a single time Lot is making one, and when he is in trouble Abraham has to go bail him. There are people or things in your life in shida tupu umejiwekelea (that are problems you have put on yourself). They may seem beneficial or necessary but in the real sense ni hasara (they are a loss). You will suffer and bear their suffering. You are better off without it or him or her. Is there someone or something you need to part with because they are eating your share of blessing? You think it is necessary but you indeed need to lose it.
Exodus 34:12
Lot chose Sodom as his portion yet it was Abraham's Land, God told Abraham all that land was his. So Abraham alikuwa anajikata miguu na (limiting himself with) Lot. Could be you are holding on to what is demeaning you or hurting you. Despite all the wealth Lot had, without Abraham he lost everything meaning all he had was as a result of Abraham. He enjoyed protection because of Abraham's prayer.
Gen 15:1 I am your great exceeding reward.
All you need Abraham is me. You need me more than anything else. If you have me, you have everything
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