Returning To God: Genesis 13:14-18
We all need relationship with the Lord as we find our way through life. The temptations of the world are alluring. The distractions the world offers us to take us away from God’s purpose and calling are plentiful. What God offers is a harbor among the chaos of life. He is the anchor that holds us fast. He is the rock to which we cling.
After Lot goes to settle among the cities like Sodom and Gomorrah, Abram once more consults with the Lord. This continues to illustrate Abram’s return to the Lord. Abram didn’t build any altars in Egypt. There aren’t any stories about Abram speaking with God when Abram was in Egypt. When Abram comes back to Canaan and resumes his pursuit of the Lord’s calling, Abram once more speaks with God.
God tells Abram to walk around the land that the Lord is giving to Abram. Abram obeys and moves his tent around to survey the land. Unlike Lot, who looked to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and eventually settles among them, Abram continues to live off the land and apart from the Canaanites. While Lot looks to the trappings of civilized life, Abram is once more relying upon the Lord and His great provision.
Taking this thought a little deeper, God promises Abram that his descendants will be as uncountable as the dust of the earth. Lot sought satisfaction in the lifestyle of mankind; Abram returned to the Lord and found satisfaction in the Lord’s promise. Abram is promised a heritage far larger than life itself. Through the promise that his descendants will become so numerous, Abram knows the breadth of God’s provision.
The lesson we learn from Abram is one of redemption. Abram feared the famine and fled from the Lord’s provision. Abram feared the Egyptians and embraced the provision of Pharoah. Each of these mistakes took him away from the Lord even though it felt like things were going well for him. Worldly prosperity is not a sign of our ability to walk with God. Abram fell out of step with God’s desire even though his wealth increased greatly.
God did not give up on Abram, however. He knew Abram would return to Him. He knew Abram would recover from his temporary stumble. He knew Abram would pick himself up and see the error of his ways. God does more than forgive sinners, God longs for the opportunity to forgive and embrace us back into His plan. God eagerly anticipates the moment we run back to Him.
Abram eventually settles near Hebron among the oaks of Mamre. Once there, he built an altar to the Lord. His experience with Egypt taught Abram a lesson about himself. The altar helps ensure he doesn’t forget to rely upon God and His provision. Abram doesn’t need the ways of mankind; he needs a relationship with the Lord. We all need relationship with the Lord as we find our way through life.
