Sweden Church
  • Home
  • Listen
    • Sunday Services
    • Real Time >
      • But God...
      • Incompatible With Life
      • Heroes of Faith
      • Matthew 9 Series
      • Where We Find Jesus Series
      • Temptations of Christ Series
      • Sermon on the Mount Series
      • Prodigal Son Series
    • Revival 2022
    • Sweden Celebration 2020
    • Revival 2019
  • Sermon Series
    • Revelation Series
    • One Thing Series
    • Deuteronomy Series
    • 1 & 2 Kings Series
    • Titus Series
    • Jonah Series
    • What Kind of Man Series
    • Advent 2019
    • Ten Commandments Series
    • "No More" Sermon Series
  • Pictures
  • Our Blogs
    • The Pastor's Pen
    • The Layman's Pen
  • Upcoming Events
  • Contact Us

Yielding His Rights...Receiving God's Blessing

4/24/2022

0 Comments

 
         It says in Genesis 13:2 that Abram was very rich in cattle, silver, and gold.  Also, a look back to chapter 12 verse 5 says that they took quite a bit with them including people and valuables when they left for Canaan.  Apparently, they were growing at such a rate that there wasn’t enough land for Abram and Lot to feed all their animals.
          The dissension among the herdsmen of Abram and Lot was creating enough trouble that Abram thought it wise to separate the herds.  Lot could take his and go one way and Abram the other.  Abram, the elder of the two, gave Lot first choice.  This was not the practice of the day as the one in charge usually makes the first choice. 
          Abram, in verse 8 of chapter 13, says, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee…for we are brethren.”  A good guess would be that Lot was getting worked up over the whole thing and Abram was doing his best to avoid conflict.  This is telling about the two men.
          Abram is the one in control, but he is willing to let Lot have first choice of grazing land.  He has the power, but he constrained himself to keep the peace. Romans 12:18 tells us to live peaceably with all men as much as it is possible.  Lot set his cap on the land over toward Sodom, the plain of Jordan.  Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan.
          Right after this split is when the Lord spoke to Abram again.  He told him that as far as his eyes could see in any direction the land would belong to him and his seed forever.  Also, the Lord told him that his seed would be as the dust of the earth (verses 14 through 16).
          Why Abram?  Could it possibly have something to do with his character?  God blessed Abram, gave him land, and innumerable descendants.  James 2:23 tells us that Abraham was called the Friend of God.  Jesus says, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5) Jesus also says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)
          Abram was meek.  He demonstrated it by being the patriarch and allowing Lot to choose the land he desired. 
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Linda Johnson

    Linda Johnson moved to Douglas County with her husband Tom 12 years ago after retiring from teaching. Following Tom's death in 2016, Linda began facilitating a grief support group called GriefShare through Sweden Church.​ She serves as the Sunday School teacher for our High School class. Her "Layman's Pen" articles are also published in the local paper, The Douglas County Herald. 

    Andrea Strong

    Andrea is Pastor Joshua Strong's wife. She also serves Sweden Church as Church Secretary, website administrator, and Sunday School teacher to the Intermediate Class.

    Archives

    October 2022
    September 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    February 2015
    November 2013
    October 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012