Genesis 13:10-18: a reflection

10Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar. 11So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves from one another. 12Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against the LORD. 14The LORD said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever. 16I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then your offspring may also be counted. 17Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its width; for I will give it to you.” 18Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD.

Abram and Lot, needing to part ways, must divide the land between them. Lot lifts up his eyes and sees the well-watered plain of the Jordan, lush and inviting, and chooses it for himself, moving toward Sodom. He chose by sight, by what looked best, taking the choicest-looking land for himself. Abram is left with what remains. But then God speaks to Abram, and promises him all the land he can see, and offspring beyond counting. What Lot grasped by sight, Abram received, and more, from God's hand.

Notice the contrast between Lot's choosing and Abram's receiving. Lot chose by sight, seizing what looked best to the eye, the well-watered plain, without regard to what lay in that direction, the wickedness of Sodom. Abram did not grasp, but let Lot choose first, and trusted God with what remained; and God gave him far more than Lot had grasped. The one who chose by sight, seizing the best-looking portion for himself, ended near Sodom; the one who trusted God received God's abundant promise.

That contrast searches how we make our choices. We can choose, like Lot, by sight, seizing what looks best to the eye, the most immediately attractive option, without regard to where it leads or trusting God with the outcome. Or we can, like Abram, hold loosely, not grasping for the best-looking portion, and trust God to provide. Lot's sight-led grasping led toward Sodom; Abram's trust received God's abundant gift. When you make your choices, do not simply grasp by sight for what looks best, without regard to where it leads. Trust God, as Abram did, holding loosely rather than grasping; for what is seized by sight may lead toward trouble, while what is received from God's hand, in trust, is better than what our grasping could secure. Choose in trust, not mere sight, and let God provide your portion.

Lord, when Abram and Lot parted, Lot chose by sight the well-watered plain, seizing what looked best and moving toward Sodom; but Abram held loosely, and you gave him far more, all the land he could see and offspring beyond counting. Let that contrast search how I make my choices. I can choose, like Lot, by sight, seizing what looks best to the eye, the most immediately attractive option, without regard to where it leads or trusting you with the outcome. Or I can, like Abram, hold loosely, not grasping for the best-looking portion, and trust you to provide. Lot's sight-led grasping led toward Sodom; Abram's trust received your abundant gift. When I make my choices, keep me from simply grasping by sight for what looks best, without regard to where it leads. Help me trust you, as Abram did, holding loosely rather than grasping; for what is seized by sight may lead toward trouble, while what is received from your hand, in trust, is better than what my grasping could secure. Help me choose in trust, not mere sight, and let you provide my portion, Lord.