Watch Those Who Follow

Reference: Genesis 13
1/7/2012 2:23:20 AM

1 So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev, along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned. 2 (Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.) 3 From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before. 4 This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again.

As I read this passage, plus the previous chapter, I had the thought... the temptation to go down a dangerous path of thought. Abraham took a detour in his faith, bringing his household into Egypt in a time of famine, putting his wife at bodily risk, and invoking the anger of the Pharaoh. But in the end, God saved the day for him, and he left Egypt a wealthy man. One would think that a forage into "Egypt" could be a profitable affair.

And then the name of Lot appears. He had followed his uncle into Egypt and out of it. But it also would be reasonable to deduce that this trip into Egypt had a devastating impact on the man. Because soon after their return into Canaan, Lot demanded that he take his share and live apart from his uncle. He had come back bodily, but had somehow left his heart in the riches of Egypt. From this point on, Lot displayed the change in values, devotion and disposition. He was intent on making it big on his own.

Abraham, on the other hand, returned to the place he previously built an altar and worshiped AGAIN! Yet in all this, he had lost his nephew.

Lord, help us to see that our decisions have repercussions. We know we are bound to make mistakes in this life, but help us to see the repercussions our wrong decisions will have on those who follow us. Help us to lead the generations that follow us in the right path. Help us to nurture the young in our homes, in our corporations, and in our communities in an environment the would shepherd their heart to love you.