Jacob Chanikuzhy

Did Abram completely obey God who asked him to leave his homeland and kindred and father’s house? Our first impression is that Abram obeyed God’s command completely. It is true that he left his homeland of Haran and his father’s house. But did he leave all his kindred? The story of the parting of Abram and Lot at Canaan indicates that Abram did not leave all his kindred behind. At least Lot, his nephew, was with him. Now, in the land of Canaan God is creating a situation which would make it difficult for Abram and Lot to live together. That way Abram was forced to obey God’s command at its entirety! God has his own way to make us obey him, if he wills so!

Abraham went to Egypt due to a famine. But he returned as a very rich man. A good chunk of his wealth was the gift of Pharaoh for the sake of Sarai. The story of the return of Abram’s family from Egypt with great wealth was repeated in the history of Israel when the Israelites, under the leadership of Moses, escaped from Egypt “plundering “their neighbours (Exodus 12,36).

Abram and Lot became so rich that they could not live together. The location was not sufficient for both the families. The pastures and streams in the vicinity could not contain the flock of Abram and Lot. The servants of both Abram and Lot started fighting each other. It is true that wealth brings with it many comforts, conveniences, luxuries, power, position etc. At the same time it causes certain disadvantages too. One of the disadvantages of having too much wealth is that many a time the huge wealth that one possesses makes its owner incapable of living with his dear and near ones. Somehow, the wealth separates the families, relatives and friends. The rich are forced to live in isolation from their kith and kin no matter whether they are rich or poor. Sometimes it is the quarrelsome servants who make their masters hate or fight each other. Wealth brings us friends and servants and in their turn they turn us against others.

Now, it became clear to Abram that it was impossible to live with Lot any longer if both need to thrive. A separation was necessary. However, although Abram was superior to Lot in all respects, Abram did not treat Lot with a high hand. Abram was a man of peace and so he beseeched Lot to depart from him. He wanted them to separate as friends. He did not want Lot to keep any grudge against his uncle and so with great condescension Abram gave Lot the chance to select the land of his liking. Lot chose the land that appeared to be beautiful and fertile like the garden of Eden.

As Abram with great generosity and meekness allowed Lot to have the property of his choice God appeared to Abram with the promise of great blessings. What Abram gave to Lot was half of the land; but what God offered to Abram was the whole land. It was when Abram made a self-sacrificing deal with Lot for the sake of peace that God appeared to Abram. When Abram lost the company of his nephew, God came to Abram with his comforting words and presence.

Lot chose the plains of Jordan because he knew that the well watered plains of Jordan would make him immensely rich. Happily he settled in Sodom. What Lot all cared about was his physical prosperity and what he overlooked was the culture and character of his neighbours. Actually, the people of Sodom were great sinners. Eventually, the evil of Sodomites brought great disaster in the family of Lot.

The story of Lot warns against unbridled pursuit of wealth and prosperity even at the cost of our spiritual life. Sometimes we are tempted to accept jobs and professions in places and circumstances that are detrimental to the life of our soul. What at first appears harmful only to the soul later turns out to destroy our physical life as well.