Genesis 13

The return from Egypt (vs. 1-4)—After the famine, Abraham and his household (which included a number of servants because he was “very rich”, v. 2) return to the land of Canaan where they settle near the city of Bethel. Bethel was a few miles north of Jerusalem. “And there Abram called on the name of Jehovah” (v. 4).

Contention between Abraham and Lot (vs. 5-13)—Or, more accurately, “between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock” (v. 7). Lot was very wealthy as well and there just wasn’t enough grazing in the region for both contingents of animals. Abraham, seeking peace and being honorable, tells his nephew to choose what land he wishes, and Abraham will go in the other direction. Lot, apparently being greedy, takes the best land, which was in the direction of the exceedingly wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot will eventually decide to live in Sodom. II Peter 2:7 calls Lot a “righteous” man, but there is very, very little in Genesis to give any indication of that. I’m not denying what Peter said; obviously we don’t have much information about Lot at all, and the Lord knew him better than we. But in just about every story we have of him, his character is far from pristine. He, too, like Abraham and all of us, had his weaknesses, and since the stories that are recorded in the Bible are the most important ones, we are led to believe that Lot just wasn’t very strong when significant issues arose. But from what Peter said we can conclude that the overall tenor of his life was righteous.

A repeat of the promise to Abraham (vs. 14-18)—With what is doubtless an intent to strengthen the patriarch’s faith (perhaps thinking of what Lot had just done), God speaks to Abraham again and repeats the land promise. “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you” (v. 17). Abraham does, and settles near Hebron, which is about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem. He built an alter there, as he had done at Bethel.