The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-03
ABRAM AND LOT. (Gen. xiii: l-18.)

(Gen. XIII. 1~10.I ~< <<<%< 4 < .
 CONTENT of a famine in Canaan. Abram went down into Egypt, then. and for centuries before and after the great grain producing country of the world. It has been suggested that this journey indicated lack of faith, that God was able to supply him with food even as He fed the prophet q Kings xvii;4) While admitting the power of God we are not warranted in assuming that there was any Divine promise of such care and in the ab- sence ot a promise Abram had no right to presume a miracle would be wrought for him. The stay in Egypt was prof itable to the patriarch and consequent ly instructive to all after generations, for it gave opportunity for the display of some infirmities which otherwise might have been concealed. (Gen. xii: 10-20) It Is always desirable to know the true character of prominent actor in history. Abram feared that his wife's beauty might involve him in trouble. to avert which he prevaricat- ed. with most serious results to his reputation and standing at the court of Pharaoh.
 RETURN.-(Verses1 1, ?, 3, D. Abram was elected from Egypt for his duplic- ity. The king determined not to toler- ate one in his dominions who by false pretenses had brought trouble upon the royal household. Rich in silver, gold and cattle. accompanied by his nephew and bringing the households of both. the patriarch returned from the South to Bethel. his last place of sojourn in Canaan. (Gep. xii:s.) He had now be- come a prince. surrounded by a large following. which may have numbered a thousand souls. (Gen. xiv:1D. The moral obliquity mentioned above had not obscured Abrams faith. which was still firmly fixed in God. It often oc- CUTS now, and 1t was more common in that day. that under stress of circum- stances men break down on the side of their lives which is turned toward their fellow men. while they maintain un- shaken allegiance to the Almighty. found the old altar which he had erected and there called on God. CPS cxvi:1O.
 Strife Cverses 5, 6, 7.)-The prep aration of Abram for his mission. as shown last week. was by policy of separation. (Gen. xii:1) He had with drawn from his kindred in UT. tarried in Haran until his { .ther died, (Gen. xi:32) and had come to Canaan, with niBn hopes OaSeQ on promises WnlcH could not be fulfilled until he should be relieved of some other incumbrances Lot, his nephew. still attached to his tribe. was really unfltted to promote and share the glory of his career. and he must be removed. But how? At last occasion was offered in very sim pie way. There was not room for the flocks of Abram and Lot, if they re- mained together. and their herdmen had many disputes and strifes in con- Nsequence. In general controversies among kindred are deplored. and yet they frequently work out good results. It was so with Paul and Barnabas who could not agree concerning Mark. (Acts xv:39.) And 1t proved so in the case of Abram and Lot. huA ss-
 Proposal (Verses and 9.)--Fortu-- nately the contention was limited to the herdmen. It never reached their masters, because Abram had the good sense to step forward promptly with a measure for an adjustment of the