Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-16


mittee. 1t has been suggested that Abrams
journey into Egypt indicated lack Of faith,
that God was able to supply him with food.
even as he supplied the prophet. Il 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 absence Of q. promise, Abram
had no right to presume a miracle would
be wrought for him. The stay in Egypt
was profitable to the patriarch. and, con-
sequently, instructive to all after genera
lions, for it gave opportunity for the dis
play Of some infirmities which otherwise
might have been concealed. (Gen. xii:1O-2O)
1t is always desirable to know the true
character of a prominent actor In history.
Abram feared that his wife's beauty might
involve him In trouble, to avert which he
prevaricated with most serious results to
his reputation and standing at the court OF
Pharaoh.
RETURN oversees 1-D.-Abram was
elected from Egypt for his dupicitY. The
king determined not to tolerate one IN his
dominions who. by false -pretenses. had
brought trouble upon the royal household.
Rich in silver, gold and cattle, accompan MED
by his nephew, and bringing the households
of both. the patriarch returned from the
south to Bethel, his last place of sojourn in
Canaan. Gen. xii:S) He had now become
a prince, surrounded by large following.
which may have numbered thousand
souls: Gen. xiv:14l The moral obliquity
mentioned above had not obscured Abrams
faith, which was still firmly fixed in God:
1t often occurs, and it 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 mistaken
allegiance to the Almighty. Hence, on
reaching Bethel. Abram found the old altar
which he had erected and there called on
God. psalm cxvi:17)
STRIFE oversees 5-).-The prepa-
ration of ,Abram for his mission, as
shown last week, was by policy of separa-
from his kindred in Ur. tarried in Haran
until his father died Gen., x:32). and had
come to Canaan, with high hopes based
on promises which could not be fulfilled
membranes. Lot, his nephew, still at
tached to his tribe, was really unfit to pro-
mote and share the glory of his career,
and he must be removed. But how? At
last occasion was offered in a very simple
way. There was not room for the focks
Of Abram and Lot, If they remained to-
gether, and their herdsmen had many dis
putes and strifes in consequence. In gen.
plored, and yet they frequently work out
good results. 1t was so with Paul and
Barnabas, who could not agree concerning
Mark. (Acts xv:3s) And it proved SO in
the case VI AOTdI dUO AOt.--
PROPOSALS oversees 8-O.-For-
tunately, the contention was limited to the
herdsmen. 1t never reached their mas
tiers. because Abram had the good sense
for an adjustment of the diflculty: His
act was highly commendable in the In
terest of peace. Matt v:99 The two
might have been involved In such trouble
as would have made them long and bitter
enemies. resulting in open hostilities
among their descendants. For less provo
cation nations have gone to war Inc
proposal was general IN the ex.rem me
sire for friendly relations with his
nephew. allowed him to decide what part
of the country he would take. agreeing to
accept what was left. In this way the
two men, by mutual agreement and good
will. go apart, and thereafter from two
separate and distinct households. This
proposition rested on the wise maxim OF
the ancients, IF two cannot agree, let
them separate" (Amos iii:3)
CHOICE Oversees 1O-1D.-The offer of
Abram should have been rejected Lot
should have given his uncle the choice OF
the land This was due on the score of age,
and in eastern countries from time imme-
mortal that consideration outwe.ghed almost
every other, and found expression at last In
the Mosaic code. Iev. xix:32) Besides,
the land belonged by divine grant to the
posterity Of Abram Gen. xii:O. and any
others who might reside there should have
respected this title. But the young man was
years of his uncle. Looking in different
directions from Bethel, he the plain of
the Jordan. That was prior to the destruc-
ton Of the cities which resulted in the
Dead sea. The plain was then beautiful,
fertile and well watered, reminding one of
the far-famed garden in which the first man
was placed. Qsa. li:9) With supreme re-
gard to his own welfare, and with utter in
difference to the interests of his relative.
Lot selected the best portion of the land.
His selfishness showed him unworthy to be
in the family of Abram.
SEPARATION oversees 12-13).-How-
ever great his surprise and disappointment
over the choice of his nephew. Abram &C
copied the decision with good grace. psalm
xv:4) He continued to dwell in the land of
Canaan, holding the place OF the altar as
the center of his possessions. and feeding
his hocks unmolested on the surrounding
plains In reality, he had lost nothing and
gained much. The sole occupant of coun-
try, too limited for the use of ALL he might
with much liberty and ease conduct his af-
fairs in his own way. But Lot jOurneyed
east to his new possessions, evidently sat-
lsfied with his choice and probably congrat-
ulating himself on the better prospects for his
focks. So the generosity of the one and the
selashness of the other had worked out re-
suits acceptable to both. One item in Lots
pitched his tent near sodom, hoping to gain
advantage from the city into which he
afterward moved. But that proved the way
to peril, to death and disaster. For sodom
was wicked and Lot shared in its ruin.
(Gen. xix:1)
PROMISE oversees 14-18). Abram is
now ready to open a neJ chapter in his
history. All Improbable alliances are
broken: all who might hinder his entire
conservation to his appointed mission are
removed. It has taken many years, through
various and sometimes painful experiences,
to prepare him for the highest and best
service God, who waited long for the
suitable conditions, came to him with
message somewhat like the one delivered
on the plain of Moreh Gen., Killed. but so
changed as to make Abram the primary
owner Of the land which had been promised
to his seed, accompanying this with the
pledge that his posterity would be as the
dust of the earth for number Deut, i:1O).
That this promise might produce due In
duence In awakening gratitude and hope
Abram was directed to look toward the
four points Of the compass and see how
extensive was his Inheritance. This COM
munication was timely. It could not well
have been delivered earlier. It ought not
to have been delayed. Having parted COM
pany with an associate, one desires to
know that he retains the favor Of God.
DWELLING oversees 1913. These
words Of the Almighty gave Abram home
feeling. Previously he had sojourned, q
pilgrim and a stranger. Now he deter
mined to establish a dwelling place. and
to locate that at little greater distance
from his nephew. He had been instructed