ABRAM

Before God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, he was living with his nephew, Lot, in an area east of the Jordan River valley that could not support all the livestock of both Abram and Lot. As a result, there were fights between the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot. In Genesis 13:8, Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, or between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers.” Abram gave Lot the choice of moving to the Jordan River valley, a well-watered and fertile area or staying in the less desirable area of the Negev wilderness. Lot chose the better land which contained the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot eventually lived in the city of Sodom and had to flee when God destroyed this and other cities in this area because of their immorality. Because Abram deferred to his nephew, Lot, he did not suffer the losses incurred by Lot when God destroyed this area.

This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.