The Upside Down Way
While Abram has moments of not trusting God, he also has moments of reflecting Jesus and what Jesus stood for.
“Now, Lot who was traveling with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents. But the land was unable to support them as long as they stayed together, for they had so many possessions that they could not stay together, and there was quarreling between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock…So Abram said to Lot, ‘Please, let’s not have quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, since we are relatives. Isn’t the whole land before you? Separate from me: if you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.’” Genesis 13:5-9 CSB
Abram was not avoiding conflict here. He faced it. Did he lay down the law and tell his nephew how it was going to be? No. Before I viewed this as being weak because that’s how our culture views it. Jesus doesn’t match culture though.
“Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.” James 3:13-18
Abram trusted God’s promise. He wasn’t trying to do whatever he could to hold onto the land and to make God’s promise happen. Instead of clenched fists, he had open hands. “What’s mine is yours. You’re family.” He also encourages Lot to go out on his own. “You can separate from me. You don’t owe me anything”
Jesus didn’t keep what he had for himself. He came to give the kingdom of God to others. “What’s mine is yours and we will be family.”
“But Abram said to king of Sodom, ‘I have raised my hand in an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread of sandal starp or anything that belongs to you, so you can never say, ‘I made Abram rich.’” Genesis 14:22-23 CSB
Being so focused on this image of a weak Abram I viewed him not wanting the king to “have something over him” as a way to avoid conflict in the future. This matches Jesus’ wisdom though:
“Don’t store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For wher your tresure is, there your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:19-21
What more he’s almost safeguarding the blessing that was just given:
“He blessed him and said: Abram is blessed by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High who has handed over your enemies to you.” Genesis 14:19-20 CSB
“I don’t want to associate with something that you can/will boast and brag that you did. Because all the glory goes to God for the blessing in my life.”
“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:14-16 CSB
These are all things Jesus modeled for us. Jesus wasn’t about riches and fame. He was about glorifying the Father.
* This devotional is a part of the Bible study: Conecting the Dots to Jesus - Chapter 6: Day 2 - Dot 21 Abram Which can be found at: https://encouragement-prevails.ck.page/profile
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