Friday Devo
Reading:
Genesis 13:10-13
10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. 12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. 13 But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.
10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. 12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. 13 But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.
Commentary:
13:10 the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere. Lot’s experience with the effects of famine (12:10, probably from drought) makes his choice of the fertile Jordan Valley understandable. like the garden of the Lord. A reference to the garden of Eden, which was also well watered (see 2:10). This description of the Jordan Valley predates the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, which may have adversely affected the suitability of this area for flocks and herds. The precise location of these cities is unknown; one possibility is the plain southeast of the Dead Sea.
13:11–13 Lot’s decision to settle among the cities of the valley brings him into the vicinity of Sodom. Lot is later found living in the city (see 14:12; 19:3–11), having abandoned his tent-dwelling lifestyle. After parting company from Abram, Lot now resides close to a city whose population is described as wicked, great sinners against the Lord. Cf. chs. 18–19.
13:11–13 Lot’s decision to settle among the cities of the valley brings him into the vicinity of Sodom. Lot is later found living in the city (see 14:12; 19:3–11), having abandoned his tent-dwelling lifestyle. After parting company from Abram, Lot now resides close to a city whose population is described as wicked, great sinners against the Lord. Cf. chs. 18–19.
Questions:
- In Genesis 13, we see that Lot was financially motivated. When he looked at his options, he made his decision based on one factor: Which direction can make me the most money? Financially he might have made a wise decision, but he was showing a disregard and disdain for spiritual things and it led to the destruction of his family. Have there been times in your life that being financially motivated led to you making spiritually unwise decisions?
- One thing that's important in our Christian walk is to be willing to ask the difficult questions. We should always be engaging with the Lord and asking Him what direction He is leading you. When it comes to the ways you spend your money, specifically, how much time do you spend in prayer for God's wisdom and direction? Is it truly your motivation to honor God with your finances? If not, how do you move in that direction?
Pray:
- That you would be spiritually motivated with financial decisions.
- That you would always take decisions, big and small, to God in prayer.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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