Peaceful Separation

Peaceful Separation

“I’ll tell you what we’ll do. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want that area over there, then I’ll stay here. If you want to stay in this area, then I’ll move on to another place.” (Gen. 13:9 NLT)

Arguments among family members are inevitable! Why? There are so many different personalities and goals within a family unit that it is difficult at times for everyone to be on the same page. One party wants to go in one direction while the other has a different agenda.

   This is what happened between Abram and his nephew Lot. They both were very rich with large flocks and herds. The land was not large enough to support them both and strife between their herdsmen escalated until blows were about to be launched. Finally, it got so heated that Abram called Lot over to his tent and said, “Let’s talk this over.” (13:8)

   The method used to settle arguments was much different back then than what we see happening today. Every day it seems that the evening news begins with a report that someone was shot to death over an argument. No discussion! No room for disagreement or different opinions! No thought about the consequences! Just BANG! You’re dead. End of argument. What in the world is going on in our culture today? How did we ever get to this point? Somewhere along the line we lost our moral compass.

   Abram and Lot on the other hand settled their disagreement amiably by agreeing to go their separate ways. Abram took the high road by offering Lot the first choice of the land. He could just as easily exercised his patriarchal authority and sent Lot on his merry way. After all, didn’t the Lord say to Abram? “I am going to give this land to your offspring.” (Gen. 12:6) Abram’s offer was an act of grace on his part.

   How do you settle your differences? Do you insist on your rights? Or do you put self aside and act with love and grace? Let’s follow the example of our ancestor Abram.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to remember that your “grace is sufficient” for all my needs.