Genesis 13:1 - Meaning and Application

Here is Abram’s return from Egypt, in Genesis 13:1. He came back himself and brought everyone with him to Canaan. Even if we sometimes have to go into places of temptation, we should hurry out of them as soon as we can. See (Ruth 1:6).

Here is also his wealth. He was very rich, or, more literally, very heavy, as the Hebrew word suggests. Riches are a burden, and those who want to be rich only load themselves with heavy clay (Habakkuk 2:6). There is the burden of worry in getting wealth, fear in keeping it, temptation in using it, guilt in abusing it, sorrow in losing it, and, at last, the burden of giving account for it. Great possessions often make people heavy and clumsy. Abram was rich not only in faith, good works, and promises, but also in cattle, silver, and gold.

Notice three things here. First, God’s providence sometimes makes good people rich, and teaches them how to have plenty as well as how to go without. Second, the riches of good people are the fruit of God’s blessing. God had said to Abram, “I will bless you,” and that blessing made him rich without sorrow (Proverbs 10:22). Third, true godliness can fit very well with great prosperity. It is hard for a rich person to enter heaven, but it is not impossible (Mark 10:23-24). Abram was very rich, and yet very devout. In fact, as godliness helps outward prosperity (1 Timothy 4:8), so outward prosperity, when used well, can honor godliness and give more chances to do good.

Then Abram moved to Beth-el, in Genesis 13:3-4. He went there not only because he had once lived there and wanted to see old friends, but because he had once built an altar there. The altar was probably gone, perhaps taken down by Abram himself when he left, so it would not be polluted by the idol-worshiping Canaanites. Still, he came to the place where the altar had stood, either to remember the sweet fellowship he had enjoyed with God there, or perhaps to pay the vows he had made when he set out for Egypt. Many years later, God sent Jacob, Abram’s grandson, to that same place for that same reason, saying, “Go up to Beth-el, where you made your vow” (Genesis 35:1). We need reminders of our solemn vows, and we should use every chance to remind ourselves of them. The place where we made them may help bring them back to mind, and it may do us good to visit it.

There Abram worshiped there. Since the altar was gone, he could not offer sacrifice, but he called on the name of the Lord, as he had done before (Genesis 12:8). Notice, first, all God’s people are praying people. You might as well look for a living person without breath as a true Christian without prayer. Second, those who want to show themselves upright before God must keep at the duties of religion steadily and patiently. Abram did not leave his religion behind in Egypt, as many people do when they travel. Third, when we cannot do what we would like, we must still be faithful to do what we can in worship. When we have no altar, let us not fail in prayer. Wherever we are, we should call on the name of the Lord.