1/14 Genesis 13:10

¹⁰ And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

The abundance of wealth became a source of contention between Abram's and Lot's herdsmen. It is often that way in this world. Families often split up and go their separate ways after a will is read. Abram was gracious and gave Lot the first choice of territory. Lot chose what appeared to offer the finest pasture for his flocks. Here the author inserts a footnote as the readers knew the area to be very desolate. It was green when Lot chose it, before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The passage goes on to describe Abram's next encounter with God. God promised to give Abram's descendants everything he could see in every direction. The meek shall inherit the earth. Who made the wisest choice, Abram or Lot? Abram obviously did, but not because he will end up with the most land, but rather because he put others first and honored God in his decisions. Godliness is its own reward.

What looks good to the eyes is often deceiving. Looks deceived Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:6) and Lot in this passage. Abram had a heavenly vision of things that are eternal. His hopes were not in what he could see with his eyes, but in the unseen (Hebrews 11:10). Where are your hopes set?

Prayer: Eternal Lord and Maker of all things, help me to have desires that please You. Help me set my heart on things above and not on things of the earth (Colossians 3:1-2). By Your great grace, keep my eyes from deceiving my heart.