Genesis 13:5 - Meaning and Application

Here we see an unhappy quarrel between Abram and Lot, who had been close companions until now (see Genesis 13:1 and Genesis 12:4). They had traveled together, but now they had to part. The cause of their trouble was their wealth. Abram was already rich (Genesis 13:2), and here we are told that Lot, who had gone with Abram, was also rich, which shows that God had blessed him through his connection with Abram.

It is a good thing to be in good company and to go with those whom God is with (Zechariah 8:23). Those who share in God’s people’s obedience and suffering will also share in their joy and comfort (Isaiah 66:10). But since both men were very wealthy, the land could not support them both so they could live together in peace and comfort. Their riches, then, put some distance between them because there was not enough room for all their flocks and herds. Every comfort in this world has some trouble attached to it. Work and business are useful, but they can keep us from spending as much time with the people we love as we wish.

Their riches also set them against each other. Wealth often becomes a cause of strife between relatives and neighbors. This is one of those foolish and harmful desires that people fall into when they want to be rich too much (1 Timothy 6:9). Riches do not only give people something to fight over, they can also make people proud and greedy, which fuels the conflict. “Mine and yours” have caused many quarrels in the world. Poverty, hard labor, need, and travel had not separated Abram and Lot, but riches did. Friendships are easily broken, but God is a friend whose love is not lost in either success or hardship.

The quarrel was immediately carried on by their servants. The shepherds of Abram’s cattle began to argue with the shepherds of Lot’s cattle (Genesis 13:7). They probably fought over the best pasture or the best water, and they brought their masters into the dispute. Bad servants often cause great harm in families through pride, anger, lying, slander, and gossip. It is a very wicked thing for servants to stir up trouble between relatives and neighbors. Those who do this are acting as the devil’s agents and as their masters’ worst enemies.

The quarrel was made worse because the Canaanite and the Perizzite were living in the land at the time. This made the dispute dangerous, because if Abram and Lot could not even agree on how to feed their flocks, a common enemy might come and rob them both. The division of families and churches often brings ruin. It was also shameful, because all the neighbors were watching them. Since Abram and Lot were known for their faith and unusual holiness, the Canaanites and Perizzites would quickly hear about the quarrel and use it against them. The quarrels of believers are a shame to their faith and often give God’s enemies reason to speak against it.

The settling of the quarrel was very happy. It is best to keep peace from being broken in the first place, but if trouble does come, it should be settled quickly before it spreads. Abram was the one who took the first step toward peace, even though he was the older and greater relative (Genesis 13:8). His request was warm and gentle: “Let there be no strife, I pray you.” He showed himself to be a man with a calm spirit, one who knew how to answer gently and turn away anger. Those who want peace must never answer insult with insult. He also showed humility, because he was willing to ask even his lesser relative to be at peace and made the first move toward reconciliation.

Abram’s reason for peace was strong. He said, in effect, that there should be no strife between them. Let the Canaanites and Perizzites quarrel over small things, but not they, who knew better things and looked for a better country. Believers should be especially careful to avoid conflict. Jesus said, “You are not to be that way” (Luke 22:26), and Paul said, “We have no such custom” (1 Corinthians 11:16). Abram also reminded Lot that they had lived together and loved one another for a long time. The memory of old friendship should quickly stop new quarrels.

He also said, “We are brethren,” meaning both that they were men and that they were brothers. As men, they were mortal and might die at any time, so they ought to be found at peace. As men, they were also rational beings and should be guided by reason. As brothers, they shared the same nature, the same family line, the same religion, and the same calling to obedience and patience. The fact that we are brothers should always soften our anger and either prevent quarrels or end them. Brothers should love one another as brothers.

Abram’s proposal for peace was also very fair. Many people say they want peace, but do nothing to preserve it. Abram showed that he truly cared by suggesting a solution that could not reasonably be objected to: “Is not the whole land before you?” (Genesis 13:9). In other words, why should they fight over space when there was room for both of them? He accepted that they must part, but he wanted them to part as friends. “Separate yourself from me, I pray you,” he said. He did not drive Lot away or force him out. He humbly asked him to choose to withdraw.

Abram also offered Lot a fair share of the land they were living in. God had promised this land to Abram’s descendants (Genesis 12:7), and no such promise had been made to Lot. Abram could have pressed that advantage and kept Lot out completely. Instead, he allowed Lot to share as a partner, even though Lot had no equal right to the land. He would not use God’s promise as a weapon in a family quarrel, or under cover of that promise treat his kinsman unfairly.

He gave Lot his choice and offered to be content with what was left. He said, “If you take the left hand, I will go to the right.” There was every reason why Abram should choose first, yet he gave up that right. It is a noble victory to yield for the sake of peace. It means conquering ourselves, our pride, and our anger (Matthew 5:39-40).

Peace is worth more than small points of honor, and in many cases even our own advantage must be set aside to keep it.