Chap. 12 - Abraham in Canaan
This chapter is based on Genesis 13; 15; 17: 1-16 and 18.
Abraham returned to Canaan “very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.” Lot was
still with him, and again they came to Bethel, and pitched their tents by the altar which
they had before erected. They soon found that increased possessions brought increased
trouble. In the midst of hardships and trials they had dwelt together in harmony,
but in their prosperity there was danger of strife between them. The pasturage was
not sufficient for the flocks and herds of both, and the frequent disputes among the
herdsmen were brought for settlement to their masters. It was evident that they must
separate. Abraham was Lot’s senior in years, and his superior in relation, in wealth,
and in position; yet he was the first to propose plans for preserving peace. Although
the whole land had been given him by God himself, he courteously waived this right.
“Let there be no strife,” he said, “between me and thee, and between my herdmen
and thy herdmen; for we be 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 depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”
here the noble, unselfish spirit of Abraham was displayed. How many under
similar circumstances would, at all hazards, cling to their individual rights and
preferences! How many households have thus been rent asunder! How many churches
have been divided, making the cause of truth a byword and a reproach among the
wicked! “Let there be no strife between me and thee,” said Abraham, “for we be
brethren;” not only by natural relationship, but as worshipers of the true God. The
children of God the world over are one family, and the same spirit of love and
conciliation should govern them. “Be kindly
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affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another”
(Romans 12:10), is the teaching of our Saviour. The cultivation of a uniform courtesy,
a willingness to do to others as we would wish them to do to us, would annihilate half
the ills of life. The spirit of self-aggrandizement is the spirit of Satan; but the heart in
which the love of Christ is cherished, will possess that charity which seeketh not her
own. Such will heed the divine injunction, “Look not every man on his own things,
but every man also on the things of others.” Philippians 2:4.
Although Lot owed his prosperity to his connection with Abraham, he manifested
no gratitude to his benefactor. Courtesy would have dictated that he yield the choice
to Abraham, but instead of this he selfishly endeavored to grasp all its advantages.
He “lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered
everywhere, ...even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest
unto Zoar.” The most fertile region in all Palestine was the Jordan Valley, reminding
the beholders of the lost Paradise and equaling the beauty and productiveness of the
Nile-enriched plains they had so lately left. There were cities also, wealthy and
beautiful, inviting to profitable traffic in their crowded marts. Dazzled with visions of
worldly gain, Lot overlooked the moral and spiritual evils that would be encountered
there. The inhabitants of the plain were “sinners before the Lord exceedingly;” but of
this he was ignorant, or, knowing, gave it but little weight. He “chose him all the plain
of Jordan,” and “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” How little did he foresee the terrible
results of that selfish choice!
After the separation from Lot, Abraham again received from the Lord a promise
of the whole country. Soon after this he removed to hebron, pitching his tent under
the oaks of Mamre and erecting beside it an altar to the Lord. In the free air of those
upland plains, with their olive groves and vineyards, their fields of waving grain, and
the wide pasture grounds of the encircling hills, he dwelt, well content with his simple,
patriarchal life, and leaving to Lot the perilous luxury of the vale of Sodom.
Abraham was honored by the surrounding nations as a mighty prince and a wise
and able chief. He did not shut away his influence from his neighbors. His life and
character, in their marked contrast with those of the worshipers of idols, exerted a
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telling influence in favor of the true faith. His allegiance to God was unswerving, while
his affability and benevolence inspired confidence and friendship and his unaffected
greatness commanded respect and honor.
his religion was not held as a precious treasure to be jealously guarded and enjoyed
solely by the possessor. True religion cannot be thus held, for such a spirit is contrary
to the principles of the gospel. While Christ is dwelling in the heart it is impossible to
conceal the light of his presence, or for that light to grow dim. On the contrary, it will
grow brighter and brighter as day by day the mists of selfishness and sin that envelop
the soul are dispelled by the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness.
The people of God are his representatives upon the earth, and he intends that they
shall be lights in the moral darkness of this world. Scattered all over the country, in the
towns, cities, and villages, they are God’s witnesses, the channels through which he
will communicate to an unbelieving world the knowledge of his will and the wonders
of his grace. It is his plan that all who are partakers of the great salvation shall be
missionaries for him. The piety of the Christian constitutes the standard by which
worldlings judge the gospel. Trials patiently borne, blessings gratefully received,
meekness, kindness, mercy, and love, habitually exhibited, are the lights that shine
forth in the character before the world, revealing the contrast with the darkness that
comes of the selfishness of the natural heart.
Rich in faith, noble in generosity, unfaltering in obedience, and humble in the
simplicity of his pilgrim life, Abraham was also wise in diplomacy and brave and
skillful in war. Notwithstanding he was known as the teacher of a new religion,
three royal brothers, rulers of the Amorite plains in which he dwelt, manifested their
friendship by inviting him to enter into an alliance with them for greater security; for
the country was filled with violence and oppression. An occasion soon arose for him
to avail himself of this alliance.
Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, had invaded Canaan fourteen years before, and made
it tributary to him. Several of the princes now revolted, and the Elamite king, with
four allies, again marched into the country to reduce them to submission. Five kings
of Canaan joined their forces and met the invaders in the vale of Siddim, but only to
be completely overthrown. A large
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part of the army was cut to pieces, and those who escaped fled for safety to the
mountains. The victors plundered the cities of the plain and departed with rich spoil
and many captives, among whom were Lot and his family.
Abraham, dwelling in peace in the oak groves at Mamre, learned from one of the
fugitives the story of the battle and the calamity that had befallen his nephew. He
had cherished no unkind memory of Lot’s ingratitude. All his affection for him was
awakened, and he determined that he should be rescued. Seeking, first of all, divine
counsel, Abraham prepared for war. From his own encampment he summoned three
hundred and eighteen trained servants, men trained in the fear of God, in the service
of their master, and in the practice of arms. His confederates, Mamre, Eschol, and
Aner, joined him with their bands, and together they started in pursuit of the invaders.
The Elamites and their allies had encamped at Dan, on the northern border of Canaan.
Flushed with victory, and having no fear of an assault from their vanquished foes, they
had given themselves up to reveling. The patriarch divided his force so as to approach
from different directions, and came upon the encampment by night. His attack, so
vigorous and unexpected, resulted in speedy victory. The king of Elam was slain and
his panic-stricken forces were utterly routed. Lot and his family, with all the prisoners
and their goods, were recovered, and a rich booty fell into the hands of the victors.
To Abraham, under God, the triumph was due. The worshiper of Jehovah had not
only rendered a great service to the country, but had proved himself a man of valor. It
was seen that righteousness is not cowardice, and that Abraham’s religion made him
courageous in maintaining the right and defending the oppressed. His heroic act gave
him a widespread influence among the surrounding tribes. On his return, the king of
Sodom came out with his retinue to honor the conqueror. He bade him take the goods,
begging only that the prisoners should be restored. By the usage of war, the spoils
belonged to the conquerors; but Abraham had undertaken this expedition with no
purpose of gain, and he refused to take advantage of the unfortunate, only stipulating
that his confederates should receive the portion to which they were entitled.
Few, if subjected to such a test, would have shown themselves as noble as did
Abraham. Few would have resisted the temptation
