Chapter 12—Abraham, a Good Neighbor in Canaan
This chapter is based on
Genesis 13
to 15; 17:1-6; 18.
Abraham returned to Canaan “very rich in cattle, in silver and in
gold.” Lot was with him, and they came to Bethel and pitched their
tents. In the midst of hardships and trials they had dwelt together
in harmony, but in their prosperity there was danger of strife. The
pasturage was not sufficient for the flocks and herds of both. It was
evident that they must separate.
Abraham was the first to propose plans for preserving peace. Al-
though the whole land had been given him by God Himself, he cour-
teously waived this right. “Let there be no strife,” he said, “between
me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be
brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray
thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the
right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”
How many under similar circumstances would cling to their in-
dividual rights and preferences! How many households, how many
churches have been divided, making the cause of truth a byword and a
reproach among the wicked! The children of God the world over are
one family, and the same spirit of love and conciliation should govern
them. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in
honor preferring one another.”
Romans 12:10
. A willingness to do to
others as we would wish them to do to us would annihilate half the ills
of life. The heart in which the love of Christ is cherished will possess
that charity which “seeketh not her own.”
Philippians 2:4
.
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Lot manifested no gratitude to his benefactor. Instead, he selfishly
endeavored to grasp advantages. He “lifted up his eyes, and beheld
all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, ... even
as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt.” The most fertile
region in all Palestine was the Jordan valley, reminding the beholders
of the lost Paradise and equaling the beauty and productiveness of
the Nile-enriched plains they had left. There were cities, wealthy and
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