Now, Yahweh had promised the land to Abram. And Abram was the uncle of Lot. He could have taken charge and told Lot what to do, but he did not. Rather, Abram wanted to be a peacemaker.

Abram generously asked Lot to chose the land he wanted and he would go wherever Lot did not choose. How could Abram be so magnanimous? Because he had learnt to trust God. He knew Yahweh was a promise keeper. He knew Yahweh would be able to provide for him, his flocks and herds, and his herdsmen. And that’s why instead of exercising his rights as the senior family member, Abram let Lot choose.

Lot, on the other hand, only trusted what his eyes could see. He could have deferred to his uncle, asking his uncle to decide. Instead, he looked out over the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley and thought that was the best land for the growth of his livestock and wealth. And that’s what he chose. When he had the opportunity, he took.

After Lot left, Yahweh spoke to Abram. First, He told Abram to look.

“I am giving you all this land, as far as you can see.”

Abram wasn’t taking; rather it was Yahweh who was giving.

Second, Yahweh told Abram to walk.

“Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.”

How remarkable! Lot acted in self-interest. But Abram acted in faith. And Yahweh responded to Abram’s faith by reaffirming His promises to Abram.

Abram, who had faith in God and His promises, did not feel it was necessary for him to fight with Lot or be greedy, anxious or selfish. He trusted that because God had promised him the land, he didn’t need to guard it jealously or selfishly. He unselfishly trusted that God would keep His promise in His way and at His time. He knew that it would not be by his own human scheming that he and his descendants would get the land.