Abraham and Lot Separate
When their flocks grow too large, Abraham generously lets Lot choose the best land, and God reaffirms His promise.
Abraham had become very wealthy—rich in livestock, silver, and gold. His nephew Lot, who traveled with him, also had flocks, herds, and tents. The land could not support both of them together; their possessions were so great that they could not stay in the same place.
Quarreling broke out between Abraham's herdsmen and Lot's herdsmen. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land, watching.
Abraham, though older and having the right to choose first, took a different approach. 'Let's not have any quarreling between us, or between our herdsmen,' he said to Lot. 'We are family. The whole land is before you. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left.'
Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. He chose the whole plain for himself and set out toward the east, pitching his tents near Sodom—whose people were wicked and sinning greatly against the Lord.
After Lot had parted from him, the Lord spoke to Abraham: 'Look around from where you are—north, south, east, and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.'
Abraham moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built another altar to the Lord. His generosity cost him nothing in the end—God ensured that.