mh_parser/vol_split/1 - Genesis/Chapter 13.xml

<div2 id="Gen.xiv" n="xiv" next="Gen.xv" prev="Gen.xiii" progress="10.94%" title="Chapter XIII">
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<h2 id="Gen.xiv-p0.1">G E N E S I S</h2>
<h3 id="Gen.xiv-p0.2">CHAP. XIII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Gen.xiv-p1">In this chapter we have a further account
concerning Abram. I. In general, of his condition and behaviour in
the land of promise, which was now the land of his pilgrimage. 1.
His removes, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.1 Bible:Gen.13.3 Bible:Gen.13.4 Bible:Gen.13.18" parsed="|Gen|13|1|0|0;|Gen|13|3|0|0;|Gen|13|4|0|0;|Gen|13|18|0|0" passage="Ge 13:1,3,4,18">ver. 1, 3, 4,
18</scripRef>. 2. His riches, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.2" parsed="|Gen|13|2|0|0" passage="Ge 13:2">ver.
2</scripRef>. 3. His devotion, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.4 Bible:Gen.13.18" parsed="|Gen|13|4|0|0;|Gen|13|18|0|0" passage="Ge 13:4,18">ver.
4, 18</scripRef>. II. A particular account of a quarrel that
happened between him and Lot. 1. The unhappy occasion of their
strife <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.5-Gen.13.6" parsed="|Gen|13|5|13|6" passage="Ge 13:5,6">ver. 5, 6</scripRef>. 2. The
parties concerned in the strife, with the aggravation of it,
<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.7" parsed="|Gen|13|7|0|0" passage="Ge 13:7">ver. 7</scripRef>. III. The making up
of the quarrel, by the prudence of Abram <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.8-Gen.13.9" parsed="|Gen|13|8|13|9" passage="Ge 13:8,9">ver. 8, 9</scripRef>. IV. Lot's departure from Abram to
the plain of Sodom, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.10-Gen.13.13" parsed="|Gen|13|10|13|13" passage="Ge 13:10-13">ver.
10-13</scripRef>. V. God's appearance to Abram, to confirm the
promise of the land of Canaan to him, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.14-Gen.13.18" parsed="|Gen|13|14|13|18" passage="Ge 13:14-18">ver. 14</scripRef>, &amp;c.</p>
<scripCom id="Gen.xiv-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13" parsed="|Gen|13|0|0|0" passage="Ge 13" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Gen.xiv-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.1-Gen.13.4" parsed="|Gen|13|1|13|4" passage="Ge 13:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.13.1-Gen.13.4">
<h4 id="Gen.xiv-p1.11">Abram's Removal to Canaan. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiv-p1.12">b. c.</span> 1918.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xiv-p2">1 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 <i>was</i> very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
  3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to
Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning,
between Beth-el and Hai;   4 Unto the place of the altar,
which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the
name of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiv-p2.1">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p3">I. Here is Abram's return out of Egypt,
<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.1" parsed="|Gen|13|1|0|0" passage="Ge 13:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. He came himself
and brought all his with him back again to Canaan. Note, Though
there may be occasion to go sometimes into places of temptation,
yet we must hasten out of them as soon as possible. See <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Ruth.1.6" parsed="|Ruth|1|6|0|0" passage="Ru 1:6">Ruth i. 6</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p4">II. His wealth: <i>He was very rich,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.2" parsed="|Gen|13|2|0|0" passage="Ge 13:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. He was very
<i>heavy,</i> so the Hebrew word signifies; for <i>riches are a
burden,</i> and those that <i>will be rich do but load themselves
with thick clay,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Hab.2.6" parsed="|Hab|2|6|0|0" passage="Hab 2:6">Hab. ii.
6</scripRef>. There is a burden

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of care in
getting them, fear in keeping them, temptation in using them, guilt
in abusing them, sorrow in losing them, and a burden of account, at
last, to be given up concerning them. Great possessions do but make
men heavy and unwieldy. Abram was not only rich in faith and good
works, and in the promises, but he was <i>rich in cattle, and in
silver and gold.</i> Note, 1. God, in his providence, sometimes
makes good men rich men, and teaches them how to abound, as well as
how to suffer want. 2. The riches of good men are the fruits of
God's blessing. God has said to Abram, <i>I will bless thee;</i>
and that blessing made him rich without sorrow, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.10.22" parsed="|Prov|10|22|0|0" passage="Pr 10:22">Prov. x. 22</scripRef>. 3. True piety will very well
consist with great prosperity. Though it is hard for a rich man to
get to heaven, yet it is not impossible, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Mark.10.23-Mark.10.24" parsed="|Mark|10|23|10|24" passage="Mk 10:23,24">Mark x. 23, 24</scripRef>. Abram was very rich and
yet very religious. Nay, as piety is a friend to outward prosperity
(<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.4.8" parsed="|1Tim|4|8|0|0" passage="1Ti 4:8">1 Tim. iv. 8</scripRef>), so outward
prosperity, if well-managed, is an ornament to piety, and furnishes
an opportunity of doing so much the more good.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p5">III. His removal to Beth-el, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.3-Gen.13.4" parsed="|Gen|13|3|13|4" passage="Ge 13:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3, 4</scripRef>. Thither he went, not
only because there he had formerly had his tent, and he was willing
to go among his old acquaintance, but because there he had formerly
had his altar: and, though the altar was gone (probably he himself
having taken it down, when he left the place, lest it should be
polluted by the idolatrous Canaanites), yet he <i>came to the place
of the altar,</i> either to revive the remembrance of the sweet
communion he had had with God in that place, or perhaps to pay the
vows he had there made to God when he undertook his journey into
Egypt. Long afterwards God sent Jacob to this same place on that
errand (<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.35.1" parsed="|Gen|35|1|0|0" passage="Ge 35:1"><i>ch.</i> xxxv. 1</scripRef>),
<i>Go up to Beth-el, where thou vowedst the vow.</i> We have need
to be reminded, and should take all occasions to remind ourselves,
of our solemn vows; and perhaps the place where they were made may
help to bring them afresh to mind, and it may therefore do us good
to visit it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p6">IV. His devotion there. His altar was gone,
so that he could not offer sacrifice; but <i>he called on the name
of the Lord,</i> as he had done, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.8" parsed="|Gen|12|8|0|0" passage="Ge 12:8"><i>ch.</i> xii. 8</scripRef>. Note, 1. All God's people
are praying people. You may as soon find a living man without
breath as a living Christian without prayer. 2. Those that would
approve themselves upright with their God must be constant and
persevering in the services of religion. Abram did not leave his
religion behind him in Egypt, as many do in their travels. 3. When
we cannot do <i>what we would</i> we must make conscience of doing
<i>what we can</i> in the acts of devotion. When we want an altar,
let us not be wanting in prayer, but, wherever we are, call on the
name of the Lord.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xiv-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.5-Gen.13.9" parsed="|Gen|13|5|13|9" passage="Ge 13:5-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.13.5-Gen.13.9">
<h4 id="Gen.xiv-p6.3">Lot's Separation from Abram. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiv-p6.4">b. c.</span> 1917.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xiv-p7">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 <i>be</i> brethren.   9 <i>Is</i> not
the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me:
if <i>thou wilt take</i> the left hand, then I will go to the
right; or if <i>thou depart</i> to the right hand, then I will go
to the left.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p8">We have here an unhappy falling out between
Abram and Lot, who had hitherto been inseparable companions (see
<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.1" parsed="|Gen|13|1|0|0" passage="Ge 13:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>, and <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.4" parsed="|Gen|12|4|0|0" passage="Ge 12:4"><i>ch.</i> xii. 4</scripRef>), but now
parted.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p9">I. The occasion of their quarrel was their
riches. We read (<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.2" parsed="|Gen|13|2|0|0" passage="Ge 13:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>) how rich Abram was; now here we are told (<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.5" parsed="|Gen|13|5|0|0" passage="Ge 13:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>) that <i>Lot, who went
with Abram,</i> was rich too; and therefore God blessed him with
riches because he went with Abram. Note, 1. It is good being in
good company, and going with those with whom God is, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Zech.8.23" parsed="|Zech|8|23|0|0" passage="Zec 8:23">Zech. viii. 23</scripRef>. 2. Those that are
partners with God's people in their obedience and sufferings shall
be sharers with them in their joys and comforts, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:Isa.66.10" parsed="|Isa|66|10|0|0" passage="Isa 66:10">Isa. lxvi. 10</scripRef>. Now, they both being very
rich, <i>the land was not able to bear them, that they might
dwell</i> comfortably and peaceably together. So that their riches
may be considered, (1.) As setting them at a distance one from
another. Because the place was too strait for them, and they had
not room for their stock, it was necessary they should live
asunder. Note, Every comfort in this world has its cross attending
it. Business is a comfort; but it has this inconvenience in it,
that it allows us not the society of those we love, so often, nor
so long, as we could wish. (2.) As setting them at variance one
with another. Note, Riches are often an occasion of strife and
contention among relations and neighbours. This is one of those
<i>foolish and hurtful lusts which those that will be rich fall
into,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.6.9" parsed="|1Tim|6|9|0|0" passage="1Ti 6:9">1 Tim. vi. 9</scripRef>.
Riches not only afford matter for contention, and are the things
most commonly striven about, but they also stir up a spirit of
contention, by making people proud and covetous. <i>Meum</i> and
<i>tuum—Mine</i> and <i>thine,</i> are the great make-bates of the
world. Poverty and travail, wants and wanderings, could not
separate between Abram and Lot; but riches did. Friends are soon
lost; but God is a

<pb id="Gen.xiv-Page_91" n="91"/>

friend from whose love
neither the height of prosperity nor the depth of adversity shall
separate us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p10">II. The immediate instruments of the
quarrel were their servants. The strife began between <i>the
herdsmen of Abram's cattle and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.7" parsed="|Gen|13|7|0|0" passage="Ge 13:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. They strove, it
is probable, which should have the better pasture or the better
water; and both interested their masters in the quarrel. Note, Bad
servants often make a great deal of mischief in families, by the
pride and passion, their lying slandering, and tale-bearing. It is
a very wicked thing for servants to do ill offices between
relations and neighbours, and to sow discord; those that do so are
the devil's agents and their masters' worst enemies.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p11">III. The aggravation of the quarrel was
that <i>the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in the land;</i>
this made the quarrel, 1. Very dangerous. If Abram and Lot cannot
agree to feed their flocks together, it is well if the common enemy
do not come upon them and plunder them both. Note, The division of
families and churches often proves the ruin of them. 2. Very
scandalous. No doubt the eyes of all the neighbours were upon them,
especially because of the singularity of their religion, and the
extraordinary sanctity they professed; and notice would soon be
taken of this quarrel, and improvement made of it, to their
reproach, by the Canaanites and Perizzites. Note, The quarrels of
professors are the reproach of profession, and give occasion, as
much as any thing, to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p12">IV. The making up of this quarrel was very
happy. It is best to preserve the peace, that it be not broken; but
the next best is, if differences do happen, with all speed to
accommodate them, and quench the fire that has broken out. The
motion for staying this strife was made by Abram, though he was the
senior and superior relation, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.8" parsed="|Gen|13|8|0|0" passage="Ge 13:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p13">1. His petition for peace was very
affectionate: <i>Let there be not strife, I pray thee.</i> Abram
here shows himself to be a man, (1.) Of a cool spirit, that had the
command of his passion, and knew how to turn away wrath with a soft
answer. Those that would keep the peace must never render railing
for railing. (2.) Of a condescending spirit; he was willing to
beseech even his inferior to be at peace, and made the first
overture of reconciliation. Conquerors reckon it their glory to
give peace by power; and it is no less so to give peace by the
meekness of wisdom. Note, The people of God should always approve
themselves a peaceable people; whatever others are for, they must
be for peace.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p14">2. His plea for peace was very cogent. (1.)
"Let there be no strife <i>between me and thee.</i> Let the
Canaanites and Perizzites contend about trifles; but let not thee
and me fall out, who know better things, and look for a better
country." Note, Professors of religion should, of all others, be
careful to avoid contention. <i>You shall not be so,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Luke.22.26" parsed="|Luke|22|26|0|0" passage="Lu 22:26">Luke xxii. 26</scripRef>. <i>We have no such
custom,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.11.16" parsed="|1Cor|11|16|0|0" passage="1Co 11:16">1 Cor. xi. 16</scripRef>.
"Let there be no strife <i>between me and thee,</i> who have lived
together and loved one another so long." Note, The remembrance of
old friendships should quickly put an end to new quarrels which at
any time happen. (2.) Let it be remembered that <i>we are
brethren,</i> Heb. <i>we are men brethren;</i> a double argument.
[1.] We are men; and, as men, we are mortal creatures—we may die
to-morrow, and are concerned to be found in peace. We are rational
creatures, and should be ruled by reason. We are men, and not
brutes, men, and not children; we are sociable creatures, let us be
so to the uttermost. [2.] We are brethren. Men of the same nature,
of the same kindred and family, of the same religion, companions in
obedience, companions in patience. Note, The consideration of our
relation to each other, as brethren, should always prevail to
moderate our passions, and either to prevent or put an end to our
contentions. Brethren should love as brethren.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p15">3. His proposal for peace was very fair.
Many who profess to be for peace yet will do nothing towards it;
but Abram hereby approved himself a real friend to peace that he
proposed an unexceptionable expedient for the preserving of it:
<i>Is not the whole land before thee?</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.9" parsed="|Gen|13|9|0|0" passage="Ge 13:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. As if he had said, "Why should we
quarrel for room, while there is room enough for us both?" (1.) He
concludes that they must part, and is very desirous that they
should part friends: <i>Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me.</i>
What could be expressed more affectionately? He does not expel him,
and force him away, but advises that he should separate himself.
Nor does he charge him to depart, but humbly desires him to
withdraw. Note, Those that have power to command, yet sometimes,
for love's sake, and peace' sake, should rather beseech as Paul
besought Philemon, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Phlm.1.8-Phlm.1.9" parsed="|Phlm|1|8|1|9" passage="Philemon 1:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8,
9</scripRef>. When the great God condescends to beseech us, we may
well afford to beseech one another, to <i>be reconciled,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.5.20" parsed="|2Cor|5|20|0|0" passage="2Co 5:20">2 Cor. v. 20</scripRef>. (2.) He
offers him a sufficient share of the land they were in. Though God
had promised Abram to give this land to his seed (<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.7" parsed="|Gen|12|7|0|0" passage="Ge 12:7"><i>ch.</i> xii. 7</scripRef>), and it does not
appear that ever any such promise was made to Lot, which Abram
might have insisted on, to the total exclusion of Lot, yet he
allows him to come in partner with him, and tenders an equal share
to one that had not an equal right, and will not make God's promise
to patronise his quarrel, nor, under the protection of that, put
any hardship on his kinsman. (3.) He gives him his choice, and
offers to take up with his leavings: <i>If thou wilt take the left
hand, I will go to the right.</i> There was all the reason in the
world that Abram should choose first; yet he recedes from his
right. Note, It is a noble conquest to be willing to yield for
peace' sake; it is the conquest of ourselves, and our own pride and
passion,

<pb id="Gen.xiv-Page_92" n="92"/>
<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p15.5" osisRef="Bible:Matt.5.39-Matt.5.40" parsed="|Matt|5|39|5|40" passage="Mt 5:39,40">Matt.
v. 39, 40</scripRef>. It is not only the punctilios of honour, but
even interest itself, that in many cases must be sacrificed to
peace.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xiv-p15.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.10-Gen.13.13" parsed="|Gen|13|10|13|13" passage="Ge 13:10-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.13.10-Gen.13.13">
<h4 id="Gen.xiv-p15.7">Lot's Removal to Sodom. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiv-p15.8">b. c.</span> 1917.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xiv-p16">10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all
the plain of Jordan, that it <i>was</i> well watered everywhere,
before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiv-p16.1">Lord</span> destroyed Sodom and
Gomorrah, <i>even</i> as the garden of the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiv-p16.2">Lord</span>, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest
unto Zoar.   11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan;
and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from
the other.   12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot
dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched <i>his</i> tent
toward Sodom.   13 But the men of Sodom <i>were</i> wicked and
sinners before the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiv-p16.3">Lord</span>
exceedingly.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p17">We have here the choice that Lot made when
he parted from Abram. Upon this occasion, one would have expected,
1. That he should have expressed an unwillingness to part from
Abram, and that, at least, he should have done it with reluctancy.
2. That he should have been so civil as to have remitted the choice
back again to Abram. But we find not any instance of deference or
respect to his uncle in the whole management. Abram having offered
him the choice, without compliment he accepted it, and made his
election. Passion and selfishness make men rude. Now, in the choice
which Lot made, we may observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p18">I. How much he had an eye to the goodness
of the land. He <i>beheld all the plain of Jordan,</i> the flat
country in which Sodom stood, that it was admirably <i>well watered
everywhere</i> (and perhaps the strife had been about water, which
made him particularly fond of that convenience), and so <i>Lot
chose all that plain,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.10-Gen.13.11" parsed="|Gen|13|10|13|11" passage="Ge 13:10,11"><i>v.</i>
10, 11</scripRef>. That valley, which was like the garden of Eden
itself, now yielded him a most pleasant prospect. It was, in his
eye, beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth; and
therefore he doubted not but that it would yield him a comfortable
settlement, and that in such a fruitful soil he should certainly
thrive, and grow very rich: and this was all he looked at. But what
came of it? Why, the next news we hear of him is that he is in the
briars among them, he and his carried captive. While he lived among
them, he vexed his righteous soul with their conversation, and
never had a good day with them, till, at last, God fired the town
over his head, and forced him to the mountain for safety who chose
the plain for wealth and pleasure. Note, Sensual choices are sinful
choices, and seldom speed well. Those who in choosing relations,
callings, dwellings, or settlements are guided and governed by the
lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eye, or the pride of life, and
consult not the interests of their souls and their religion, cannot
expect God's presence with them, nor his blessing upon them, but
are commonly disappointed even in that which they principally aimed
at, and miss of that which they promised themselves satisfaction
in. In all our choices this principle should overrule us, That that
is best for us which is best for our souls.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p19">II. How little he considered the wickedness
of the inhabitants: <i>But the men of Sodom were wicked,</i>
<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p19.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.13" parsed="|Gen|13|13|0|0" passage="Ge 13:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. Note, 1.
Though all are sinners, yet some are greater sinners than others.
The men of Sodom were sinners of the first magnitude, <i>sinners
before the Lord,</i> that is, impudent daring sinners; they were so
to a proverb. Hence we read of those that <i>declare their sin as
Sodom, they hide it not,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p19.2" osisRef="Bible:Isa.3.9" parsed="|Isa|3|9|0|0" passage="Isa 3:9">Isa. iii.
9</scripRef>. 2. That some sinners are the worse for living in a
good land. So the Sodomites were: for this was the iniquity of
Sodom, <i>pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness;</i>
and all these were supported by the great plenty their country
afforded, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p19.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.16.49" parsed="|Ezek|16|49|0|0" passage="Eze 16:49">Ezek. xvi. 49</scripRef>.
Thus <i>the prosperity of fools destroys them.</i> 3. That God
often gives great plenty to great sinners. Filthy Sodomites dwell
in a city, in a fruitful plain, while faithful Abram and his pious
family dwell in tents upon the barren mountains. 4. When wickedness
has come to the height, ruin is not far off. Abounding sins are
sure presages of approaching judgments. Now Lot's coming to dwell
among the Sodomites may be considered, (1.) As a great mercy to
them, and a likely means of bringing them to repentance; for now
they had a prophet among them and a preacher of righteousness, and,
if they had hearkened to him, they might have been reformed, and
the ruin prevented. Note, God sends preachers, before he sends
destroyers; for he is not <i>willing that any should perish.</i>
(2.) As a great affliction to Lot, who was not only grieved to see
their wickedness (<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p19.4" osisRef="Bible:2Pet.2.7-2Pet.2.8" parsed="|2Pet|2|7|2|8" passage="2Pe 2:7,8">2 Pet. ii. 7,
8</scripRef>), but was molested and persecuted by them, because he
would not do as they did. Note, It has often been the vexatious lot
of good men to live among wicked neighbours, to <i>sojourn in
Mesech</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p19.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.120.5" parsed="|Ps|120|5|0|0" passage="Ps 120:5">Ps. cxx. 5</scripRef>),
and it cannot but be the more grievous, if, as Lot here, they have
brought it upon themselves by an unadvised choice.</p>
</div><scripCom id="Gen.xiv-p19.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.14-Gen.13.18" parsed="|Gen|13|14|13|18" passage="Ge 13:14-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Gen.13.14-Gen.13.18">
<h4 id="Gen.xiv-p19.7">God Confirms His Promise to
Abram. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiv-p19.8">b. c.</span> 1917.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Gen.xiv-p20">14 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiv-p20.1">Lord</span>
said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now
thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and
southward, and eastward, and westward:   15 For all the land
which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
  16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so
that if a man can number the dust of the earth, <i>then</i> shall
thy seed also be numbered.   17 Arise,

<pb id="Gen.xiv-Page_93" n="93"/>

walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it;
for I will give it unto thee.   18 Then Abram removed
<i>his</i> tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which
<i>is</i> in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="Gen.xiv-p20.2">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p21">We have here an account of a gracious visit
which God paid to Abram, to confirm the promise to him and his.
Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p22">I. When it was that God renewed and
ratified the promise: <i>After that Lot was separated from him,</i>
that is, 1. After the quarrel was over; for those are best prepared
for the visits of divine grace whose spirits are calm and sedate,
and not ruffled with any passion. 2. After Abram's humble
self-denying condescensions to Lot for the preserving of peace. It
was then that God came to him with this token of his favour. Note,
God will abundantly make up in spiritual peace what we lose for the
preservation of neighbourly peace. When Abram had willingly offered
Lot one-half of his right, God came, and confirmed the whole to
him. 3. After he had lost the comfortable society of his kinsman,
by whose departure his hands were weakened and his heart was
saddened, then God came to him with these good words and
comfortable words. Note, Communion with God may, at any time, serve
to make up the want of conversation with our friends; when our
relations are separated from us, yet God is not. 4. After Lot had
chosen that pleasant fruitful vale, and had gone to take possession
of it, lest Abram should be tempted to envy him and to repent that
he had given him the choice, God comes to him, and assures him that
what he had should remain to him and <i>his heirs for ever;</i> so
that, though Lot perhaps had the better land, yet Abram had the
better <i>title.</i> Lot had the paradise, such as it was, but
Abram had the promise; and the event soon made it appear that,
however it seemed now, Abram had really the better part. See
<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p22.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.22.20" parsed="|Job|22|20|0|0" passage="Job 22:20">Job xxii. 20</scripRef>. God owned
Abram after his strife with Lot, as the churches owned Paul after
his strife with Barnabas, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p22.2" osisRef="Bible:Acts.15.39-Acts.15.40" parsed="|Acts|15|39|15|40" passage="Ac 15:39,40">Acts xv.
39, 40</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p23">II. The promises themselves with which God
now comforted and enriched Abram. Two things he assures him of—a
good land, and a numerous issue to enjoy it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p24">1. Here is the grant of a good land, a land
famous above all lands, for it was to be the holy land, and
Immanuel's land; this is the land here spoken of. (1.) God here
shows Abram the land, as he had promised (<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p24.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.12.1" parsed="|Gen|12|1|0|0" passage="Ge 12:1"><i>ch.</i> xii. 1</scripRef>), and afterwards he showed
it to Moses from the top of Pisgah. <i>Lot had lifted up his eyes
and beheld the plain of Jordan</i> (<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p24.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.10" parsed="|Gen|13|10|0|0" passage="Ge 13:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), and he had gone to enjoy what
he saw: "Come," says God to Abram, "<i>now lift thou up thy eyes,
and look, and see thy own.</i>" Note, That which God has to show us
is infinitely better and more desirable than any thing that the
world has to offer our view. The prospects of an eye of faith are
much more rich and beautiful than those of an eye of sense. Those
for whom the heavenly Canaan is designed in the other world have
sometimes, by faith, a comfortable prospect of it in their present
state; for we look at the <i>things that are not seen,</i> as real,
though distant. (2.) He secures this land to him and his seed for
ever (<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p24.3" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.15" parsed="|Gen|13|15|0|0" passage="Ge 13:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>): <i>To
thee will I give it;</i> and again (<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p24.4" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.17" parsed="|Gen|13|17|0|0" passage="Ge 13:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>) <i>I will give it unto
thee;</i> every repetition of the promise is a ratification of it.
<i>To thee and thy seed,</i> not to Lot and his seed; they were not
to have their inheritance in this land, and therefore Providence so
ordered it that Lot should be separated from Abram first, and then
the grant should be confirmed to him and his seed. Thus God often
brings good out of evil, and makes men's sins and follies
subservient to his own wise and holy counsels. <i>To thee and thy
seed</i>—to thee to sojourn in as a stranger, to thy seed to dwell
and rule in as proprietors. <i>To thee,</i> that is, <i>to thy
seed.</i> The granting of it to him and his for ever intimates that
it was typical of the heavenly Canaan, which is given to the
spiritual seed of Abram for ever, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p24.5" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.14" parsed="|Heb|11|14|0|0" passage="Heb 11:14">Heb. xi. 14</scripRef>. (3.) He gives him livery and
seisin of it, though it was a reversion: "<i>Arise, walk through
the land,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p24.6" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.17" parsed="|Gen|13|17|0|0" passage="Ge 13:17"><i>v.</i> 17</scripRef>.
Enter, and take possession, survey the parcels, and it will appear
better than upon a distant prospect." Note, God is willing more
abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his
covenant, and the inestimable worth of covenant blessings. <i>Go,
walk about Sion,</i> <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p24.7" osisRef="Bible:Ps.48.12" parsed="|Ps|48|12|0|0" passage="Ps 48:12">Ps. xlviii.
12</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p25">2. Here is the promise of a numerous issue
to replenish this good land, so that it should never be lost for
want of heirs (<scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p25.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.16" parsed="|Gen|13|16|0|0" passage="Ge 13:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>): <i>I will make thy seed as the dust of the
earth,</i> that is, "They shall increase incredibly, and, take them
altogether, they shall be such a great multitude as no man can
number." They were so in Solomon's time, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p25.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.20" parsed="|1Kgs|4|20|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:20">1 Kings iv. 20</scripRef>, <i>Judah and Israel were many
as the sand which is by the sea in multitude.</i> This God here
gives him the promise of. Note, The same God that provides the
inheritance provides the heirs. He that has prepared the holy land
prepares the holy seed; he that gives glory gives grace to make
meet for glory.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Gen.xiv-p26"><i>Lastly,</i> We are told what Abram did
when God had thus confirmed the promise to him, <scripRef id="Gen.xiv-p26.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.13.18" parsed="|Gen|13|18|0|0" passage="Ge 13:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>. 1. He <i>removed his tent.</i>
God bade him <i>walk through the land,</i> that is, "Do not think
of fixing in it, but expect to be always unsettled, and walking
through it to a better Canaan:" in compliance with God's will
herein, <i>he removes his tent,</i> confirming himself to the
condition of a pilgrim. 2. He <i>built there an altar,</i> in token
of his thankfulness to God for the kind visit he had paid him.
Note, When God meets us with gracious promises, he expects that we
should attend him with our humble praises.</p>
</div></div2>