During his entire time in Egypt, Abram did not call on the name of the Lord. In fact, it was Pharaoh who had to expel him, as Abram—who had initially gone to Egypt to survive the famine—had become comfortable there enjoying the benefits of his deceit. However, as soon as he left Egypt and returned to the land God had promised him, he sought to reconnect with God. He traveled from place to place until he reached the very spot where he had first built an altar, and there, he called on the name of the Lord once again.
Ever since Abram heard the voice of the LORD and left his father’s household, one member of his family remained by his side throughout his journey—his nephew Lot. Through thick and thin, Lot never abandoned his uncle. He traveled with Abram all the way from Harran to Canaan, staying with his uncle even during the harsh famine that struck the land. Lot even stood by his uncle when Abram went down to Egypt and sold his wife, Sarai, to the king of Egypt, ultimately gaining immense wealth.
Lot had always been by Abram’s side, but that was about to change. A challenge greater than any they had previously faced was about to emerge. The thing that finally separated the two men was wealth—great wealth. Their prosperity and insatiable desire for more grew so vast that the land could no longer support them both.
Avoiding Conflict
Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. – Genesis 13:5-7 (NIV)
Abram, who was already a wealthy man, became even richer after his return from Egypt. Pharaoh had greatly increased his wealth in exchange for Sarai, and it is likely that Abram shared some of his possessions with his nephew, Lot. When they returned to the same place near Bethel where they had stayed before the famine, the land could no longer support them. The very land they had abandoned during the famine was now unable to sustain their massive herds and livestock. Their herdsmen constantly fought, bickered, and quarreled over resources.
There is no doubt that Abram’s wealth was ill-gotten. He had strayed from the Lord when he failed to trust Him and instead sought refuge in Egypt, where he amassed his fortune. What he had perceived as a blessing became the very cause of division within his family. Similarly, we often fall into the trap of chasing worldly success.
When we experience growth in wealth or status, we rarely pause to consider whether our pursuits align with God’s will. If our blessings come from God, they will draw us closer to Him. However, if our blessings are merely the result of our own desires, they will ultimately separate us from our Father. We should, in retrospect, correct our ways when we find out that we are trying to get away from the path of God.
Abram’s Proposal
To prevent further conflict between their herders, Abram proposed a peaceful separation between himself and Lot. He allowed Lot to choose his portion of the land first, promising to take the opposite direction. Lot, drawn to the fertile and well-watered plains of the Jordan, chose that land for himself. However, he was perhaps unaware or unconcerned that Sodom was home to wicked and morally corrupt people when he chose to go down and settle in that city. Meanwhile, Abram remained on the hills in the land of Canaan—the land God had promised to his descendants.
People often question Lot’s decision to move to the region of Sodom and, knowing how things turned out, blame him for choosing such a wicked place to live. However, it is noteworthy that the land of Zoar was well-watered and that Lot was simply following the example set by his uncle, Abram, who did something similar when they lived in the Negev. The abundance of water made the well watered Jordan Valley an obvious choice for Lot, especially after the famine he had just experienced.
During the famine, Abram chose the well-watered land of Egypt as their place of residence even though God did not want him to move there. Just as Egypt’s fertility seemed like a logical choice for Abram—without considering the people living there—Lot focused on the rich, fertile land of Zoar, paying little attention to the wickedness of its inhabitants.
When making major life choices, we should consider more than just outward appearances. The author likens the plains of Jordan to the Garden of Eden but also compares them to the land of Egypt. While all three had a natural body of water sustaining their land, true fertility was present in only one of them. No matter how lush and fertile Egypt and Sodom appeared outwardly, they were inwardly corrupt places, that drifted both Abram and Lot away from the presence of God.
Similarly, in our lives, we often evaluate options based on how they appear externally, influenced by what the world around us is doing. However, we rarely pause to consider whether a particular choice might distance us from God or bring us closer to Him. Lot made this mistake when he chose the plains of Jordan, focusing on its fertile land and the security it provided against future famine, without realizing the spiritual dangers of settling near the corrupt city of Sodom. His decision serves as a reminder that we should look beyond material benefits and consider the long-term spiritual impact of our choices.
The LORD Comforts Abram
Abram must have felt a deep sense of loss after Lot separated from him and went to Sodom. He had no son, and now even his nephew Lot—the closest thing to an heir—had departed. In a foreign land where he lived as a nomadic stranger, Lot was his only blood relative. However, right after Lot left, the Lord appeared to Abram, reaffirming His promise and giving him renewed hope for the future.
Oftentimes, we feel an emptiness when someone close to us moves away, whether due to an argument, a job opportunity, or other circumstances. Regardless of the reason, we are often left with a sense of loneliness. Abram likely felt the same—his nephew Lot, whom he had hoped would be his heir, had now departed, leaving him and Sarai childless and alone.
These moments of loss can go either way for us. We can use them as an opportunity to draw closer to God, finding comfort in His presence, or we can dwell in sadness, reminiscing about the past and allowing nostalgia to keep us from moving forward. Our inability to let go of the past can distance us from God and the plan He has for our lives today.
The key to finding comfort during times of separation is to replace the emptiness with God’s presence. Often, we feel that loneliness means God is distant, but the truth is, He was never far from us—even when we were surrounded by loved ones. He was always there, watching over us. It is we who often fail to realize His presence in our lives.
When we feel alone, instead of dwelling in sadness, we should simply call on His name. That is exactly what Abram did. After Lot left him, Abram might have felt abandoned, but he turned to God, and God responded.
Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. – Genesis 13:14-16 (NIV)
This shows that in moments of sadness, when we turn to God, He not only reassures us but also renews His promises in our lives. Just as God reminded Abram of His greater plan, He does the same for us if we seek Him in our moments of emptiness.
So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the LORD. – Genesis 13:18 (NIV)
Instead of seeing separation as an end, we should view it as an opportunity to draw closer to God, knowing that He is always near, ready to comfort and guide us forward.
Discussion Questions
- Can the blessings we receive in life ever become a challenge or obstacle for us?
- Was Lot wrong for choosing to move near Sodom, or was his decision simply unwise?
- What factors should we consider when making big life choices?
- Like Abram, do we struggle with sadness when our loved ones go their own way?
- How can we find comfort and trust in God’s plan during times of separation?
The Jordan Valley 
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