John Calvin Commentary Genesis 13:7

"And there was a strife between the herdsmen of Abram`s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot`s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelt then in the land." — Genesis 13:7 (ASV)

And there was a strife. What I hinted regarding riches is also true regarding a large number of servants. We see with what ambition many desire a great crowd of servants, almost like an entire people. But since the family of Abram cost him so dearly, let us be well content to have few servants, or even to be entirely without them, if it seems right to the Lord that it should be so.

It was hardly possible to avoid great confusion in a household where there was a considerable number of men. And experience confirms the truth of the proverb that a crowd is commonly turbulent. Now, if rest and tranquility are an inestimable good, let us understand that we best provide for our real well-being when we have a small house and privately spend our time, without tumult, in our families.

We are also warned by the example before us to beware lest Satan, by indirect methods, lead us into contention. For when he cannot ignite mutual enmities between us, he would involve us in other people's quarrels. Lot and Abram were in agreement with each other; but a contention raised between their shepherds reluctantly drew them apart, so that they were compelled to separate from each other.

There is no doubt that Abram faithfully instructed his own people to cultivate peace; yet he did not succeed enough in his desire and effort to prevent his witnessing the most destructive fire of discord kindled in his household. Therefore, it is no wonder if we often see tumults arising in churches, where there is a still greater number of men. Abram had about three hundred servants; it is probable that the family of Lot was nearly equal to it. What then can be expected to take place among five or six thousand men—especially free men—when they contend with each other?

Although we ought not to be disturbed by such scandals, we must nevertheless, in every way, take care that contentions do not become violent. For unless they are quickly addressed, they will soon break out into pernicious dissension.

The Canaanite and the Perizzite. Moses adds this to aggravate the evil. For he states that the heat of the contention was so great that it could neither be extinguished nor assuaged, even by the fear of impending destruction. They were surrounded by as many enemies as they had neighbors. Nothing, therefore, was lacking for their destruction except a suitable occasion, and this they themselves were providing by their quarrels.

So greatly does blind fury infatuate men, once the vehemence of contention has prevailed, that they carelessly despise death when placed before their eyes. Now, although we are not continually surrounded by Canaanites, we are still in the midst of enemies as long as we live in this world. Therefore, if we are motivated by any desire for our own salvation and that of our fellow believers, let us beware of contentions that will deliver us over to Satan to be destroyed.