The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-03
THE suNDAY-sCHooL LESSON.
Third Quarters; Aug. 4, 1901; Abram
and Lot-Genesis xiii, lis.

Abram probably followed the great desert
highway which still exists between the East
and Damascus. the very same. probably. that his
grandson Jacob took in his flight from his angry
brother. To all outward appearances, Abrams
company probably exactly resembled the caravan
which the traveller in the East sees to-day.
There were the camels, ships of the desert"
bearing their precious freight of women and
children. besides provisions and merchandise.
There were the hocks and herds and their at
tendants. besides the armed guard. The oak or
oak grove OF Moreh in Sichem is the hrst-men-
toned camping place of the patriarch within
the bounds OF the promised land Abrams first
recorded act is significant. Columbus. standing
on the shore Of the new world. unfuried the
standard Of Ferdinand. Abram. coming into
Canaan, built an altar to God. So II became his
custom. Where Abram had a tent God had an
altar These became a series Of sermons ia
stone" TO the idol-worshiping Canaanites. . :
The first mention made OF Abraham on his re-
turn from his enforced sojourn in Egypt is con-
corning his wealth. The statement Of the artless
narrative is simply: Abraham was very rich
In cattle, in silver and in gold" Gods promises
Of temporal blessings had an early fulhllment.
KItto's computations are curious rather than
reliable. on the data OF the possessions OF
Jacob and Job he estimates Abraham as having
between eight and nine thousand head. OF
N0NAt 2aSA tAAN 800 NHN @0NR@ N0NNN
imply a correspondingiy large number Of attend
ants. From the incident OF the equipment Of
three hundred and eighteen men for war II may
be figured that there were something over a
thousand men in the camp, not to mention
women and children. : > . Up 70 this time
Abraham and Lot had shared the pleasures and
hardships Of their pilgrim life. But now the
herds OF both had increased so that the land
was not able TO bear them that they might
l-rr Alna.r q
this day, the herdsmen became rivals, and strove
for pasturage and water. In this incident Abra-
hams character shines resplendent. Two thou
sand years before Christ he showed the Chris
tian spirit when he said to Lot: Let there be
no strife between me and thee and between my
herdsmen and thy herdsmen, for we be breth-
rem" Nor are these mere words. Abraham
backs them up. He valves his right. The land
was his. 1t was all his. Yet in noble mag
nanimity he said to Lot: is not the whole land
before thee? Separate thyself. l pray thee. from
me. If thou wilt take the left hand, then 1 will
go to the right: or IL thou depart to the right
hand, then l will go TO the left " . . Lots
selfishness crops out. He took advantage OF
Abraham's generosity. He cast his eye on the
well-watered plain of Jordan and chose 1t. He
journeyed east. 1t vas not long before he ex-
changed pastoral life for urban. He attempted
the impossible. A double service-God and
IIcheS-hel the lnNeterate ana historic outcome.
. Another incident in the career of Lot is
the occasion OF the display Of new traits in the
admirable character Of Abraham; decision.
bravery, military skill. Lot is in trouble. The
very wealth he coveted and the richness OF the
land he chose was the cause of it. A rumor
brings tidings- Of a predatory incursion and Of
Lots captivity. Abraham determines his course
Instantly. Lot must be rescued. Three COM
panies OF trained servants, born in his camp.
are armed. and Abraham takes command in
person. Strategy gains a victory. Generosity
declines the spoils.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
Biography composes a large part of Scripture.
Gods book has a deal by man in il. 1t is well
II is so. Men Of the Bible stand for ideas: Abel.
innocence; Noah. obedience; Jacob, persistence;
Moses, law; Aaron, worship; Joshua, courage:
David, praise; Solomon. wisdom; Jeremiah. pa
triotism; Paul. zeal; John, love. Thus God
teaches by example. Example is better than
precept. Want a boy to love his coun-
try, give him the life of a patriot: to be success
full in business. give him the life OF one of the
captains of industry" So God deals with his
larger ch~ildren-gives US examples. Good for