QT 8/22/2025 Gen 13:9-13, What to consider when making choices

Genesis 13:9–13 (ESV) —

9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. 12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.

 

NOTE: Lot chooses "east," which I don't think was one of the choices. The funny thing is that Abram's left versus right was probably north and south where you remain in the promised land. But Lot leaves the land and heads east based on what he saw. As noted previously, the author has a tendency to use the word "east" to represent something bad. It is not the direction that is bad, it is just a clue word to tell the reader that this was not a good decision. Another word that so far has not been good has been "cities." The line of Cain established cities. Nimrod wanted everyone to remain together. What is wrong with cities? Probably nothing, but Lot goes from a rancher, moving his herd across a large area, to a city dweller. How is that bad? I don't know (without badly speculating), but it is part of the story.

 

But the land was beautiful like a garden, what could go wrong? A couple things could. One, Lot leaves the promised land. The land was promised to Abram's descendants, but he might have done better by sticking closer to Abram. In a sense, Lot is an example of a person who seeks to improve (using his senses) upon God's command, and ends up making things worse. Two, he did not seek God in the move. He was a little like Eve -- the fruit looked good. On the surface, things can appear good but to believe that you can live a peaceful life in an area of bad influence is not wise.

 

What is the application for us? It is like leaving a good church to live in area where you know there is no church, and not expecting bad things to overcome your family. We need support. Caanan had bad influence too. Lot probably knew that. And he probably knew Sodom was no better. But he chose without thinking of which place was best for his spiritual growth.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I consider the spiritual side of major decisions (even minor ones)?
2. The decision might look good, but if it doesn't help me to grow stronger in the Lord, then it is almost surely a poor choice. Am I in one of those situations today?

 

PRAYER: Father, there are a lot of things that call to our hearts, but much calls us away from you. Help us to discern the things that are not for our good but just appeal to our senses. Help us to make the spiritual part of a decision, just as important, if not more, as the financial and pleasure aspects of a decision.