Choosing Wisely

Note: Due to a rather hectic start to this year, I am slightly behind on these postings. To remedy this, I will increase this week's postings in order to get back on schedule. Thank you.

Reading from Lech Lecha:
Genesis 13:5-14:20

In this second reading in Parsha Lech Lecha, we are given more information about Abram's nephew, Lot, with whom he is traveling. In Genesis 13:6 we learn that G-d had already blessed Abram and his family to the point that they were incredibly rich. So rich, in fact, that the land in which they settled could not sustain both households. It may be difficult for us to understand how a vast new land could not provide for two households, but these were no ordinary households. In fact, if we jump ahead to Genesis 14:14, we see that Abram alone had 318 trained fighting men within his household. Add to that number the family members of those men, Abram's family members and other servants and we can see just how big this group might have been.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary offers additional insight. This commentary points out that Abram and Lot weren't the only clans in the area. In fact, indigenous peoples already held the best of the land, which led to the quarrels over scarce resources among Abram's and Lot's herdsmen described in Genesis 13:7.

To put a stop to this quarreling, Abram proposes that he and Lot separate, each choosing a different location in which to settle. Abram then allows Lot first choice of location. This is striking for a couple of reasons. First, Abram is Lot's uncle and thus his superior. Second, and more importantly, G-d had already promised all the land to Abram. So we see that Abram may have learned something from his disastrous lack of trust in G-d during the trek through Egypt. Now we see him holding loosely to what is rightfully his, trusting G-d to provide for his needs. Lot, on the other hand, chooses what appears to him to be the best, most fertile land (Gen. 13:10-11) and settles in a city called Sodom.

Because of Abram's trust in Him, G-d promises to bless Abram with vast amounts of land and descendants. Lot, however, doesn't fare quite as well. Not long after he settles in Sodom, the city is attacked and looted and Lot is taken captive (Gen. 14:11-12). What a sharp contrast between the outcome of trust in G-d and trust in what seems best to our own human eyes and minds!

But Abram is still faithful and generous to his nephew. Instead of leaving Lot to his fate, he gathers his 318 fighting men (Gen. 14:14) and chases Lot's captors 140 miles (according to the Bible Knowledge Commentary), rescuing Lot as well as the people captured with him and the goods plundered from Sodom. Once again Abram displays exceptional character as a devoted follower of the one true G-d.

The passage ends with a fascinating encounter. A king and priest of G-d named Melchizedek comes to Abram and proclaims a blessing over him. And while Abram refuses to accept a reward from the king of Sodom (Gen. 14:22-24), he instead gives a tithe (a tenth) to Melchizedek, the king of Salem (Gen. 14:20b). By this Abram demonstrates both his distrust of the king of Sodom and his recognition of Melchizedek as his superior. Who was this Melchizedek? There are many theories, but no one actually knows. He was obviously someone so righteous, so close to G-d that Abram deemed him worthy of a tithe of his numerous possessions.

My prayer today is that I would recognize that G-d's ways are higher than mine, and make choices accordingly. May I choose the path of humility and trust in G-d to meet all my needs.

Next: Genesis 14:21-17:6