Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2020 15:10:04 GMT -5
United in Separation By: Leslie Koh
Click on this link for the audio message
Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me . . . for we are close relatives.
Genesis 13:8
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Genesis 13:1–9
Thrown into a project with his colleague Tim, Alvin faced a major challenge: he and Tim had very different ideas of how to go about it. While they respected each other’s opinions, their approaches were so different that conflict seemed imminent. Before conflict broke out, however, the two men agreed to discuss their differences with their boss, who put them on separate teams. It turned out to be a wise move. That day, Alvin learned this lesson: Being united doesn’t always mean doing things together.
Abraham must have realized this truth when he suggested that he and Lot go their separate ways in Bethel (Genesis 13:5–9). Seeing that there wasn’t enough space for both their flocks, Abraham wisely suggested parting company. But first, he stressed that they were “close relatives” (v. 8), reminding Lot of their relationship. Then, with the greatest humility, he let his nephew have the first choice (v. 9) even though he, Abraham, was the senior man. It was, as one pastor described it, a “harmonious separation.”
Being made uniquely by God, we may find that we sometimes work better separately to achieve the same goal. There’s a unity in diversity. May we never forget, however, that we’re still brothers and sisters in the family of God. We may do things differently, but we remain united in purpose.
Reflect & Pray
How can humility help in a “harmonious separation”? How can you remain united in purpose even when you disagree with someone on a disputable matter? (Romans 14:1–10).
God, help me to work together with others in unity, and help me to discern when it’s best to serve separately.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Both Abram and Lot were wealthy, possessing flocks, herds, and herdsmen. The land that provided enough to support them before was no longer adequate. Apparently their time in Egypt had grown their holdings significantly so that the land could no longer support both of them. Abram, as the older man and leader of the entire party, had the right to choose, yet he deferred to Lot. Why?
Perhaps Abram was already acting in faith, as would mark the remainder of his life (see the story of the sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22). He was leaving the decision in God’s hands, trusting that what had been promised—that his descendants would receive the land—would be fulfilled. Knowing his descendants would receive the inheritance meant that he wouldn’t. Perhaps immediate possession wasn’t necessary from his perspective. He could wait in faith. J.R. Hudberg
Genesis 13:1-9
King James Version
13 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
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 and Hai;
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.
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Click on this link for the audio message
Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me . . . for we are close relatives.
Genesis 13:8
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Genesis 13:1–9
Thrown into a project with his colleague Tim, Alvin faced a major challenge: he and Tim had very different ideas of how to go about it. While they respected each other’s opinions, their approaches were so different that conflict seemed imminent. Before conflict broke out, however, the two men agreed to discuss their differences with their boss, who put them on separate teams. It turned out to be a wise move. That day, Alvin learned this lesson: Being united doesn’t always mean doing things together.
Abraham must have realized this truth when he suggested that he and Lot go their separate ways in Bethel (Genesis 13:5–9). Seeing that there wasn’t enough space for both their flocks, Abraham wisely suggested parting company. But first, he stressed that they were “close relatives” (v. 8), reminding Lot of their relationship. Then, with the greatest humility, he let his nephew have the first choice (v. 9) even though he, Abraham, was the senior man. It was, as one pastor described it, a “harmonious separation.”
Being made uniquely by God, we may find that we sometimes work better separately to achieve the same goal. There’s a unity in diversity. May we never forget, however, that we’re still brothers and sisters in the family of God. We may do things differently, but we remain united in purpose.
Reflect & Pray
How can humility help in a “harmonious separation”? How can you remain united in purpose even when you disagree with someone on a disputable matter? (Romans 14:1–10).
God, help me to work together with others in unity, and help me to discern when it’s best to serve separately.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Both Abram and Lot were wealthy, possessing flocks, herds, and herdsmen. The land that provided enough to support them before was no longer adequate. Apparently their time in Egypt had grown their holdings significantly so that the land could no longer support both of them. Abram, as the older man and leader of the entire party, had the right to choose, yet he deferred to Lot. Why?
Perhaps Abram was already acting in faith, as would mark the remainder of his life (see the story of the sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22). He was leaving the decision in God’s hands, trusting that what had been promised—that his descendants would receive the land—would be fulfilled. Knowing his descendants would receive the inheritance meant that he wouldn’t. Perhaps immediate possession wasn’t necessary from his perspective. He could wait in faith. J.R. Hudberg
Genesis 13:1-9
King James Version
13 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south.
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
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 and Hai;
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.
5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
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.
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.
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.
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.