Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 13
Matthew Henry Commentary
Genesis 13
Matthew Henry Commentary
Genesis 13
"And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the South. And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journeys from the South even to Beth-el, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Beth-el and Ai, unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of Jehovah." — Genesis 13:1-4 (ASV)
Abram was very rich: he was very heavy, as the Hebrew word implies; for riches are a burden. And those who desire to be rich only load themselves with thick clay (Habakkuk 2:6). There is a burden of care in acquiring riches, fear in keeping them, temptation in using them, guilt in abusing them, sorrow in losing them, and finally, a burden of accountability for them.
Yet God in His providence sometimes makes good men rich, and thus God's blessing made Abram rich without sorrow (Proverbs 10:22). Although it is hard for a rich man to get to heaven, yet in some cases it is possible (Mark 10:23–24). Indeed, outward prosperity, if well managed, is an ornament to piety and an opportunity for doing more good.
Abram moved to Bethel. His altar was gone, so he could not offer sacrifice; but he called on the name of the Lord. You would as soon find a living man without breath as one of God's people without prayer.
"And Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 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. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me. If [thou wilt take] the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if [thou take] the right hand, then I will go to the left." — Genesis 13:5-9 (ASV)
Riches not only provide cause for conflict and are the things most commonly fought over; but they also stir up a spirit of contention by making people proud and covetous. Mine and yours are the great instigators of quarrels in the world. Poverty and labor, needs and wanderings, could not separate Abram and Lot; but riches did so.
Bad servants often cause a great deal of trouble in families and among neighbors through their pride and passion, lying, slandering, and talebearing. What made the quarrel worse was that the Canaanite and the Perizzite then lived in the land. The quarrels of believers are a disgrace to religion and give the enemies of the Lord an opportunity to blaspheme.
It is best to keep the peace, so that it is not broken; but the next best thing is, if differences do occur, to quickly extinguish the fire that has broken out. The attempt to stop this conflict was made by Abram, although he was the older and more prominent man. Abram shows himself to be a man of calm spirit, who had control of his passion and knew how to turn away wrath with a soft answer.
Those who would keep the peace must never return insult for insult. Abram also showed a gracious and yielding spirit, for he was willing to implore even his inferior to be at peace. Whatever others may stand for, the people of God must be for peace. Abram's plea for peace was very powerful.
Let the people of the land argue about trivial matters; but let us not quarrel, for we know better things and look for a better country. Those who profess religion should be most careful to avoid contention. Many claim to be for peace but will do nothing towards it; Abram was not so. When God condescends to implore us to be reconciled, we may well implore one another.
Although God had promised Abram to give this land to his seed, Abram still offered an equal or better share to Lot, who did not have an equal right. And Abram would not, under the protection of God's promise, act harshly toward his kinsman. It is noble to be willing to yield for the sake of peace.
"And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the Plain of the Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before Jehovah destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Jehovah, like the land of Egypt, as thou goest unto Zoar. So Lot chose him all the Plain of the Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the Plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against Jehovah exceedingly." — Genesis 13:10-13 (ASV)
When Abram offered Lot the choice, he immediately accepted it. Passion and selfishness make people rude. Lot looked to the goodness of the land; therefore, he had no doubt that in such a fruitful soil he would certainly thrive. But what came of it?
Those who, in choosing relationships, callings, dwellings, or settlements, are guided and governed by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, or the pride of life, cannot expect God's presence or blessing. They are commonly disappointed even in that which they primarily aim at. In all our choices, this principle should rule: that is best for us which is best for our souls.
Lot hardly considered the wickedness of the inhabitants. The men of Sodom were brazen, daring sinners. This was the iniquity of Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness (Ezekiel 16:49). God often gives great plenty to great sinners. It has often been the painful experience of good people to live among wicked neighbors; and it must be the more distressing if, like Lot here, they have brought it upon themselves by a wrong choice.
"And Jehovah said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward and southward and eastward and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: So that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then may thy seed also be numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for unto thee will I give it. And Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built there an altar unto Jehovah." — Genesis 13:14-18 (ASV)
Those are best prepared for the visits of Divine grace whose spirits are calm and not ruffled with passion. God will abundantly make up in spiritual peace what we lose for preserving neighborly peace. When our relations are separated from us, yet God is not.
Observe also the promises with which God now comforted and enriched Abram. Of two things he assures him: a good land, and numerous descendants to enjoy it. The prospects seen by faith are more rich and beautiful than those we see around us. God instructed him to walk through the land, not to think of settling in it, but to expect to be always unsettled, and walking through it to a better Canaan.
He built an altar as a sign of his thankfulness to God. When God meets us with gracious promises, he expects that we should offer him humble praises. In outward difficulties, it is very profitable for the true believer to meditate on the glorious inheritance which the Lord has for him in the end.
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