For the Sake of Peace
WRITTEN BY DREW MATZ
Abram Sacrificed his Own Desires For The Sake of Peace
As we live our lives, we often will gain wisdom through trial and experience. Much of this wisdom will be cultivated through our relational dynamics. We learn how to pick our battles, how to diffuse situations, and how to mend our relationships so that we can truly live together.
Abram and Lot were drawn into a potential conflict in Genesis 13 when they both learned that the land could not support them both. Recognizing the challenge set before him, Abram allowed Lot to choose the land that he and his servants would possess. There are some significant things we can learn from Abram’s deferral:
Abram Sought Peace as Opposed to Conflict
“Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.”
Genesis 13:8
Abram was prudent. He knew when it was appropriate to engage in conflict, and when it was not a battle worth fighting. Lot was family, and it was more important to Abram that his relationship with Lot not be put at risk over something as trivial as a preferred piece of land. Even though Abram was older and more seasoned, he did not exploit his role as leader. This is a great example of Biblical wisdom in action and is echoed in the New Testament where Paul reminds us:
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Rm 12:18).
Abram Knew How to Talk to Lot
“Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other.”
Genesis 13:9-11
Notice the conciliatory tone with which Abram speaks to Lot. His tone is not one of quarrel, but of peace. He tells Lot that all the land before him is ripe for the taking. As far as the eye could see, it was open to Lot. If Lot went right, Abram would go left and vice versa. By saying this, Abram avoided any contention by placing the decision firmly in Lot’s hands. This shows us that Abram was entirely committed to letting Lot determine the outcome. This is a thoroughly Biblical principle, as the Proverbs tell us:
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Pr 12:18).
Abram Sacrificed his Own Interests
Peace often requires that we give something up. To truly live together in harmony requires all parties to compromise something, to lay something down for the sake of the other. As the leader of the family, one could make the case that Abram should have had first choice of where to settle and let the chips fall where they may. Yet Abram doesn’t do that. He offers the first choice to Lot, who chooses a prime place to settle that would have been coveted by many. The theme runs even bigger in the story of Jesus, who tells us
“whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt 16:25).
This is just one small part of the story of Abram and Lot. However, it is a great example of how we can yield to one another and truly strive to become peacemakers as we seek to build Christ’s kingdom.