Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1907-02-16
BIBLE ANALYSIS.
international Sunday School Lesson,
February 10, 1907.
Lots Choice.-Gen. xiii. liz.

/ Prosperity had attended them Gen.
! xii 16J, and now trouble arose be-
tween their servants BY reason of
their large herds. 1t became neces-
sary for their own good and for the
sake of their safety that they should
separate in peace. Abraham pro-
posed terms of settlement that Lot
could not easily reject, because it gave
Lot full right to first choice and
Abraham would take what was left
Thus we see that Abraham prefer
red peace to strife at any cost. He
was the ideal peacemaker, willing to
sacrifice at anything rather than his
peace principles. So should we pre-
serve brotherly love at any cost. Lot
like many others, in his mad rush
after the temporal forgot the more
yaluable-the spiritual His unwise
choice brought large harvest of suf-
fering and shame. Lot made a great
mistake when he chose to go in the
direction of Sodom, for the people of
Sodom were exceedingly wicked, and
he had gone to live among them. W.
should as far as possible associate
with Christians and not make COM
panions of wicked people. Good boys
and girls will not associate with or
have as companions such that swear,
smoke cigarettes or break the Sab
bath day but avoid them
Verses 1-4.-F'amine had driven
Abraham from Canaan into Egypt
and although he had found sustenance
there for himself, his herds and house
hold, he did not find God there. He
, returned from Egypt into the southern
country of Canaan, as we note in
verse l of the lesson. Abrahams
riches consisted of cattle, silver ana
gold tverse y. He was not in need of
Lots finances or his financiering to
help him along. The lesson shows
oversees 3-4D that Abraham had not
forgotten God, but fastened his jour
ney back to Bethel unto the place OF
the altar which he had made EEere at
the first, and there called upon the
name of the Lord. Abraham had been
in land of enemies, and was sub
ject to severe trials, but again re-
turning to the altar constant commun
ion and fellowship with God gave him
strength. Here at the old altar Abra-
ham re-established the religious life
of his family. The famine was now
over, and it was with joy that he
gathered his household around this
old altar in the land of promise.
Verses 5-7-Here we note the strife
between the herdmen of Abraham
and Lots cattle Their flocks and
herds were SO numerous that there
was no sufficient pasturage or water,
also dwelt in the land; so that the
focks of Abraham encroached on the
feeding ground of Lots cattle. and
vice versa. The quarrel began among
the servants. each desiring to do JUS
tice to- his masters possessions! Lot
is spoken of as a righteous man in the
New Testament tsee ii Pet. ii. 7-S).
Much of Lots goodness came from his
dwelling with Abraham.
Verses S-9-Abraham' offer to Lot
is wise and generous, since he let Lot
take his choice, regarding him as a
/ friend and brother. for he said: For
We be bretheren" Verse 81. There
! for one of the characteristics of the
religion of God is peace, especially
between brethren. To keep the peace,
Abraham was willing to- give Lot the
choice of all the land They were
uncle and nephew, the term "Breth-
rem Signifying near relationship. Al
upon Abraham the latter was willing
TO deny his interests in any part for
the benefit of Lot
Verses 10-I3.-As we read through
the history of Lot we note his sell
fish choice, his going gradually into
the influence of Sodom, and he did not
turn away from the evil and sin, as
did Abraham He no doubt thought
he was getting a good bargain, but
il was selfish choice. He did not
try to please Abraham, but only tried
to please himself. We should remem-
Der that the Bible tells MS to love
others as well as ourselves. Abraham
and Lot parted, and Lot went to live
in Sodom, because it was very pleas
ant there and much food for his cattle
| But Lot was not happy there, because
/ the people We're very wicked and did
not love and worship God as he wish
/ ed them to do And now Lot was
punished for his sin in going among
wicked people and choosing a home