09_Let there be no strife between us.
Gen 13: 3-11 And he went on his journeys from the Negev as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there previously; and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. 5 Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks, herds, and tents. 6 And the land could not support both of them while living together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land at that time.
8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are relatives! 9 Is the entire land not before you? Please separate from me; if you choose the left, then I will go to the right; or if you choose the right, then I will go to the left.” 10 Lot raised his eyes and saw all the vicinity of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt going toward Zoar. 11 So Lot chose for himself all the vicinity of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. So they separated from each other.
Jim Elliott, the martyred American missionary who gave his life in 1956 while evangelizing among the Auca Indians in the jungles of Ecuador, penned these famous words: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” These words resonate deeply when we consider how to navigate conflicts and disputes in a way that honors God.
Conflicts arise whether we want them or not. They occur in families, workplaces, and even within the church. Genesis 13 records a quarrel between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot over pasture land for their flocks. Both men had prospered and needed more space for their livestock. Abraham, the senior and the heir to the promised land, had every right to claim the best land and dictate terms. Yet his response was marked by humility, grace, and faith in God.
When disputes arise, our reactions reveal much about our hearts. Abraham’s response to this conflict shows his anxiety to please God and keep love in his relationship with Lot.
First, Abraham recognized an essential truth: they were brothers. He reminded Lot, “We are close relatives; let’s not quarrel.” For Abraham, their relationship was more valuable than his personal rights. How much more are believers united in Christ! We are called to live in peace and love with one another, according to the unity of the one Spirit that we all share.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a commitment to love, care and foster the welfare of the other. It demands selflessness. When disagreements arise among believers, we must remember that our unity in Christ is more important than winning an argument or asserting our rights.
Second, Abraham understood that to keep the peace, a personal price must often be paid. By offering Lot the first choice of the land, Abraham voluntarily relinquished his right to the best. This reflects the heart of Christ, who became poor so that we might be made rich in God. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, paid with his blood to reconcile us with God. His example challenges us to surrender our rights, endure suffering, and trust God to reward and vindicate us in His time.
James 4:1-2 explains: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.” Many conflicts arise from the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life. Abraham, however, chose to set his heart on God rather than the deceitful and transient pleasures and treasures of this world.
When Lot chose the fertile plains of the Jordan, he obeyed the lust of his eyes and the desire of his heart. This choice eventually led him to settle near Sodom, a city infamous for its wickedness. Abraham, in contrast, trusted in God’s promises. His faith allowed him to let go of what appeared to be the better land, knowing that what God had promised him was secure.
Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness. Romans 4:21 describes Abraham’s confidence in God: “Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” His willingness to give up his rights demonstrated his trust in the God who is able to provide abundantly beyond what we can imagine.
This principle is vital for us today. We often fight for our rights, being impatient or fearful that justice will not be done. Scripture reminds us that God is the righteous judge. In situations of conflict, let us quietly and humbly entrust our cause to Him, knowing that He will vindicate us in His perfect time.
The story of Abraham and Lot is a reminder that worldly prosperity is treacherous. Lot’s choice led him to live among the wicked. Ultimately it cost him his peace, his family, and his wealth. Abraham, on the other hand, dwelt in the promises of God. After Lot departed, God reaffirmed His covenant with Abraham as to both the land and his descendants. All the land that he could see was to be his in God’s perfect time, and his children would outnumber the stars of the sky.
When Jacob’s sons avenged their sister Dinah on Shechem, the young Canaanite prince who had dishonoured her, they showed that they did not trust the truth of God to prevail. They used dishonesty and trickery to overcome the people of Shechem. Rather than working God’s justice, their act brought their father’s curse on them. Human attempts to secure justice without seeking God’s will often lead to greater harm. True peace and justice come from humbling ourselves before God and trusting Him to act on our behalf. He will guide us to do what is right and just.
How do we apply these truths?
- Remember your relationship in Christ. If you have conflict with a fellow believer, remember your unity brought about by the blood of Christ. This bond is far more valuable than any earthly gain.
- Be willing to sacrifice for peace. Ask yourself if you are obeying the Spirit of God in the current problem with your brother or sister. Are you needlessly jeopardizing your obedience to Christ to ensure that you are treated fairly? If so, surrendering your rights is the most Christlike thing you can do.
- Examine your heart. Are you one with God in this issue? Or are your thoughts clouded by your own desires or pride? Pray and hear God’s voice in the scriptures so that your heart may be aligned with His will.
- Trust God’s justice. Surrender your need for immediate vindication and trust that God sees, knows, and will act in His perfect timing.
- Focus on eternal promises. Like Abraham, keep your eyes fixed on God’s promises and not temporary losses. No one can take away what God intends for you.
As we follow Abraham’s example, let us remember that the Lord said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” Trusting in God’s promises, let us live so as to seek and actively pursue peace. This reflects God’s nature like nothing else, for he sent his Son to make peace with us at the cost of his life.
In Psalm 37:3-5, we are encouraged to: “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this.” Let us embody this trust in our handling of conflict. Let us be quick to hear, slow to speak, and offer grace to others. Thus we shall be the sons of God, and point them to the Prince of peace, Jesus Christ.