Mature Conflict Resolution in Faith — Genesis 13 Daily Word

Learn how Abram resolved conflict with Lot through mature faith and gracious yielding. Discover biblical principles for handling disputes with wisdom and trust in God’s provision.

Genesis 13:1–13 Daily Word — Abram and Lot return from Egypt having prospered greatly, but their growing wealth leads to conflict between their herdsmen. To avoid strife among family, Abram graciously yields and gives Lot the first choice of the land. Through this account, we learn what mature, faith-filled conflict resolution looks like.

Mature Conflict Resolution for the Believer

1. [Scripture]

[1] So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. [2] Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. [3] And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, [4] to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the LORD. [5] And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, [6] so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, [7] and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land. [8] Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. [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. (Gen 13:1-13, ESV)

2. [Daily Word]

# Chapter 13 records the story of Abram and Lot.

First, Abram, having been expelled from Egypt, goes back up to the Negeb. The possessions that Pharaoh, king of Egypt, had given him were considerable, and verse 2 records that he was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. This means that God had allowed his life to prosper with great wealth. He then returns to Bethel — the very place where Abram had once pitched his tent between Bethel and Ai, called on the name of the LORD, and worshiped God. And so, rather than simply passing through, Abram stopped there once again to call on the name of God and offer worship.

However, a problem arose between Abram and Lot. As recorded in verses 6 and 7, Lot also had flocks, herds, and tents, making it difficult for everything belonging to both men to coexist in the same area. As a result, quarrels broke out among the herdsmen who were watching over their respective livestock. Adding to the tension was the fact that the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also dwelling in the land at that time.

Aware of this situation, Abram devised a solution. As stated in verse 9, they would part ways and go in separate directions. But the manner in which he proposed it was remarkable: he told his nephew Lot to choose first, saying, “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” — meaning Abram would accept whatever decision Lot made. Through this, we can see that Abram had grown significantly in his faith. For there was a time when Abram had prioritized his own survival over obedience to God. But now, it seems he valued God’s will above his own self-preservation. That is why he was able to yield the better land to Lot.

Lot, however, was still at an immature stage in his faith. And so what he chose, as described in verse 10, was to lift up his eyes and look at all the Jordan Valley, which was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as far as Zoar. Just as the saying goes, “What looks good tastes good,” Lot chose the place that appeared most attractive to the eye. Yet Lot overlooked one critical fact — as stated in verse 13, the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.

In other words, Lot went toward Sodom without truly knowing what kind of place it was — simply because it looked good to him and he was certain it would bring him abundant benefit. Yet before long, Lot himself would become one of the people of Sodom.

# There are times in our lives when we must live right in the middle of the world.

Yet what matters is this: just as Lot believed Sodom would benefit him and desired to immerse himself there for that reason alone, if we likewise live only for the benefits this world can give us — rather than for God’s will — we too will end up becoming people of the world rather than people of God, just as Lot followed his own desires and soon became a Sodomite. Therefore, like Abraham, we are called to remain spiritually awake and wait upon God to see how He will guide our lives.

Rather than choosing first on our own, we are to stay awake and pray, asking God how He will lead us. As you bring your requests before Him, remember that God will grant you a clear and confident answer — and it is my hope that today, too, you will wait upon His will and bring it before Him in prayer.

Abram’s faith, reconciliation in relationships, the wisdom of yielding, spiritual maturity, expository studies in Genesis

Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com