Wednesday, May 6, 2009

A Tale of Two Men

If you've come over from my devotion "Finding Our Place" published today, welcome. Have a look around and say hello.

In Genesis we encounter two men looking to find their place - Abram and Lot. Check it out from the Bible:

Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents. But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.)

Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”

Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.

So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord. (Genesis 13:5-13)

Abram was the elder family member, and therefore carried the most authority. He could've claimed whichever track of land he wanted and left the rest to Lot. But he was more interested in promoting peace and putting others first. He offered Lot first dibs.

Lot looked around and chose all the best looking land for himself ... the fertile valley ... the preeminent position. He left Abram with the rough looking plain. Yet in the pages to come - look it up and keep reading if you don't know the story - we see that Lot wound up choosing destructively, while God prospered His people in the land of Canaan. We see a shade of the first-becomes-last-and-last-becomes-first play out.

Their story also reveals a shade of meaning in Jesus' famous statement that it is more blessed to give than receive!

So Jesus, Abram and Lot got me thinking. I'm going to see what I can give today ...
who I can bless ...
who I can serve ...
which person can I usher in front of me in line ...

9 comments:

  1. Rachel:
    Your devotion today is singing my song! Thank you! We try to teach our children not to jockey for position. Rather, be a follower of Jesus and a servant as unto Him.

    Thank you!

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  2. What a great word to start the day with!
    It is my prayer that I daily dress with this beautiful style of living!

    And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

    Love ya my friend!

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  3. Awesome devo and post today, Rachel :)

    Have a good one,
    Kate :)

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  4. Well, I don't know whether to laugh or cry as I read your devotional just now. I feel like someone is shouting, "Busted"!

    Just driving my son to school early this morning, feeling like because I was in a hurry I could justify ignoring 2 vehicles at 2 different locations from getting ahead of me in line, I charged ahead. Yikes...and now I read this about being sensitive to others and letting them in front. OK Lord...point taken.

    Praying the next opportunity the Lord places in front of me will be met with His response, not mine!

    Thanks Rachel for bringing this quick conviction to my heart.

    Humbly stepping back and letting others in,
    Joy

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  5. Hey Friend,
    I loved your devotion today. :-)

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  6. Wonderful truths to remember...
    what I can give today ...
    who I can bless ...
    who I can serve ...
    which person can I usher in front of me in line ...

    Thanks for sharing!
    Sweet Blessings!

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  7. Thanks for this devo! It is so relavent to Evan and I's life right now.

    Sweet blessings sent your way!

    In Him,
    Nicole

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  8. I loved your devotion today, Rachel. I didn't pay attention to who the author was until the end, and then I saw your name and thought, "yes, of course, it's Rachel." My favorite!

    Thank you for your wise words.

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  9. Happy Mother's Day, Rachel!!!

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