Day 28 Devotion – Abraham Visits Egypt

Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, Genesis 13:1-3

Picture 1: The map shows Bethel north of Jerusalem. When Abram and Lot split up, Lot settles southeast of the Dead Sea and Abram settles in Hebron west of the Dead Sea.

We see that when Abram returned to the Land of Canaan he went back to his camp between Bethel and Ai.

Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. Genesis 13:5-6

Abram’s nephew Lot is traveling with him and they are both accumulating so many livestock that the land won’t support them both and they separate.

Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. Genesis 13:11-12

Abram lets Lot have first choice and he chooses the plains on the southeast side of the Dead Sea. Abram stays in Canaan.

Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD. Genesis 13:18

Next, we are told Abram moves further to the south and settles near Hebron, which is south of Jerusalem. Remember the name of Hebron because it plays a very significant role in the history of Israel. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph were all buried here as we will see later as we continue the story.

Picture 2: Lot settled on the southeast side of the Dead Sea. Down here the land is flatter but much more of a drier desert.
















Picture 3: Abraham settled on the west side of the Dead Sea where the land is much more rugged and hilly. At first glance you would say that Abraham really got shafted in this deal. Actually the southeast plains are some of the driest, saltiest and barren places on earth. The plateaus of the hill country get more rain and are more fertile. Lot chose what he thought looked best and compromised his values to settle in an immoral community while Abraham was blessed for his unselfishness.