The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-08-01

o. the Jew the direction to Jerusalem from
every quarter was upward; besides, Egypt
was a low-lying country and the traveller
would have to ascend on his way to the
hilly country OF Canaan. Into the south"
Not the south of Egypt, but the southern
region of Palestine. A certain part OF the
country was called the south before the
times of the patriarchs.
9. Very rich" Abram and Lot had
both been greatly prospered and were very
rich. The property OF these times did not
consist in focks only, but also in silver
and gold. Abram was very rich, and yet
very religious AS piety is friend to out
ward prosperity Il Tim. 4: g. so outward
prosperity, if well managed, is an orna-
ment to piety, and opportunity of doing
so much the more good.
8. Even to Bethel" Abram returns to
the place OF his altar in Bethel. In like
manner Christian settlements cluster
around their churches. Nothing can sat-
isfy God, in reference to a wanderer or
backshder, but his being entirely restored.
Between Bethel and Hal" Stanley we'll
describes this point as a conspicuous hill,
its topmost summit resting on the rocky
slopes, and distinguished by its olive
groves offering a natural base for the al
tar, and fitting shade for the tent OF the
patriarch.
4. Called on-the Lord This in.
plies more than an ordinary prayer; he re-
established public worship.
s. Went with Abram" 1t seems plain
that Lot was from the very beginning
borne onward rather by Abrams inau-
ence and example than by his own taita
in God.
g; Not able to bear them" "Their
hocks and herds had grown too numerous
TO find pasture there. An inability, more
over, of moral kind may be implied"
Substance was great" AS their families
increased 1t was necessary their ttocks
should increase also, as from those focks
they derived their clothing, food aad
drink. Many also were offered il sacrifice
TO God.
7. "A strife" The occasion OF their
quarrel was their riches. The quarrel orig
mated in the scarcity OF herbage for the
subsistence of their focks, ''and in their
eagerness for the possession OF the wells,
or fountains of water. which in that rocky,
arid region have value unknown to the
Dwell then in the land" The Perizzites
arc not mentioned in the table OF nations.
Chap. TO- Their origin is obscure. The
Canaanites were the original occupants OF
the soil.
S. "Abram said" He first let Lot take
his choice, and then left God to choose for
him. This was heavenly wisdom. This is
what faith ever does; it allows God to fix
its inheritance, and is always satisfied with
the portion which God gives. No strife"
There is special danger o. quarrels in the
family and among kindred. The love of
God in the heart is sure cure foc all
strife. 1--WE are brethren (R. W We
are of the same family. worship the same
God in the same way, have the same prom
ises, and look for the same end. Why
then should there be strife?
g. The whole land" The heavenly
principle OF forbearance evidently holds
the supremacy in Abrams breast. He
walks in the moral atmosphere o. the Ser
mon on the Mount. 1t was an unselfsh
act for Abram to give up his rights and
renounce his own interests for Lot. 1t
was the act o. true man OF God. Sep
arate from me-" His proposal to separate
arises from his love Of peace, not from any
selfish regard TO his own interests.
10. Lifted UP his eyes There is a
crisis in every mans history at which 1t
will assurediy be made manifest on what
is actuated, and by what objects he is ami.
mated; thus it was with Lot. Plain OF
Jordan" Lot chose the Jordan Valley
north OF the Dead Sea near the city OF
Sodom. Lot seems TO have had nothing
IN view but ms temporal convenience and
advantage He Goes not inquire into the
character OF tne inhabitants, nor does he
appear to express any reluctance in leav-
ing Abram. Before - destroyed The
face OF the country was altered by the oe-
struction OF these cities. Garden OF the
Lord" He knew OF its fame as the garden
OF Eden: no crust OF salt, no volcanic con-
IL. Lot chose him" The choice was
selfish. He should have been generous TO-
ward his uncle instead of greedily taking
the best for himself. and then, the choice
was made for worldly advantage without
regard to spiritual things. They separ-
ated" 1t is not thus with the riches of
grace or of glory; the more We have OF
them the closer it uniteS Us.
y. "Pitched-toward Sodom." He ad-
varced toward it till he came near, but
was probably prevented from entering by
the well-known character OF its inhaOlt-
ants. He who keeps bad company. IN
dulges in doubtful pleasures. or allows
wrong and selfish acts to influence his HE
is pitching his tent toward Sodom.
l3. Wicked and sinners" The men OF
Sodom were sinners OF the first magnitude:
The greatest depraviry is often found
among lUS luHdD!kdhbS VI tliS AAOSS 4NANA-~
lands. Lot has fallen into the very vortex
OF vice and h;asphemy. Lot chose the
company OF sinners. One is safe with
wicked men so long as he is endeavoring
to make them good. but is never SAFE whe2
he chooses their company.
Il. "Look.' etc. He j. 10 make su.l
surrey OF the land in all direction and he
is assured that i is his to inherit, and
title deed IS gwen to him for MS seed TO-
cye-. God SAYS to every believer. loo;
from the pace where thou art" and the
iand the spiritual good, which thou
seest"-whicn thcu dos: see promised 10
tnee in Nv word. TO thee will give it,
10. ".All the land God repeats His
promises for the support OF the faitA OF
His servant. will l give it He who
was willing to give up everything for the