The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-04-21
IMPROVED
UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
CUNDAy1
CcHOOL Lesson
Lesson for April "a
ABRAMS GENEROSITY TO LOT
(By REV. P. B. FITZwATER. D. D.. Mem.
Der of Faculty. Moody Bible
Institute Of Chicago)
&c. 1882. Western Newspaper Union.1

LESSON TEXT-Genesis 1855.
GOLDEN TEXT-Be kindly affec-
TONED one to another with brotherly
love; in honour preferring one an
other.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Generous Uncle.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Abram Divides With
His Nephew.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-An Adventure in Friendship.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-Too Generous to Quarrel.
Apparently famine was sent upon
Canaan soon after Abram entered it.
Because of this famine, he went into
Egypt. Doubtless the famine was sent
because of the wickedness of the
CanaaniteS, but it was so timed as to
develop the graces of Abrams heart.
He needed to be taught the fact of his
own weakness in order to fully realize
Gods power and faithfulness. It
would have been far better for him to
have remained in Canaan with its
famine, knowing that he was where
the Lord had led him, than to 90 into
Egypt.
I. Abram and Lot Go Out of Egypt
(vv. 1-4).
1. Thrust out by Pharaoh ". CT.
I2:1S. 19). BY prevarication Abram
deceived the king concerning the rela-
ton of Sarai TO himself, but when the
truth was known that she was his wife
instead of his sister, Pharaoh thrust
him out. This is not the last time
that a child of God was rebuked and
thrust out by a man of the world.
2. His wealth greatly increased
". p. Although Abram was away
from the place to which God had called
him, his temporal possessions in
creased. Increase in riches is no sign
that man is in fellowship with God.
8. He went back to Bethel wv.
8, ~. Although he had declined from
the pathway of faith and had suffered
shame and humiliation before
heather king. when thrust out he had
the good sense to go into the place
of the altar, where his tent had been
at the beginning. 1t was here that he
called upon the name of the Lord.
There is no record of his having done
so while in Egypt. His Egypt expert
ence cost him much spiritually, though
ne became rich there. He seems even
to have lost his influence over Lot.
u. Abram and Lot Separate wv.
5-13).
1. Strife between their herdmen
wv. 5-7). The goods of both Abram
and Lot greatly increased. This In
crease in goods threatened strife be-
tween Abram and Lot. When they at
tempted to settle down, trouble arose
between their herdmen. This is the
first record of relatives quarreling over
financial matters. Riches often inter-
feres with friendship. They engender
greed and selfshness in men, and
kindle Jealousy and strife between
them. For the chosen Of God thus to
quarrel is utter folly, and criminal,
especially when the enemies Of the
Lords people look on.
2. Abrams magnanimous behavior
wv. 8, 81. He made to Lot gener-
GUS proposition which relieved the dis
graceful situation. Lot was allowed
his choice. Though he owed every
thing to Abram, he was allowed to
choose that which suited him best.
Abrams behavior in this case is fine
example of the art of living together
peaceably.
8. Lots selfish choice (vv. 1919.
His selfish heart prompted him to
grasp for the best. His action shows
that his stay in Egypt was ruinous to
him. One cannot go into Egypt with.
out being affected by 1t. This was a
fatal choice for Lot. Though he for
a while prospered and even was ele-
waited to high official position, 1t was
an expensive undertaking for him.
III. Abram Delivers Lot IA :11-16).
Lot, with all his goods, was taken
away when the confederate kings came
against Sodom. Though Lots trouble
was the result of his selfish choice,
Abrams magnanimity Of soul expressed
Itself by taking up arms to deliver
him from the oppressor.
Lot is an example Of one saved so as
by fire Il Cor. 3:11-15). He Is an
example of the man who allows the
world to get the better Of him. He set
his affections upon earthly things. and
the time came when he had to separate
from them. The world and its lusts
pass away, but he that doeth the will
Of God abideth forever Il John 2:15-17).
Once his money and his family were
In Sodom, he endured its wickedness
while longing to escape from it I'll
Pet. 1863.
In contrast with Lot who suffered
from his evil choice Abram was great
~ prospered. He grew rich in tenn
poral things while at the same time
he was rich toward God. Abrams
whole life shows that those who make
obedience to God first get the needed
worldly things Il Kings 1913; Matt.
$3.50.