The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: A Novel

Chapter 3

Caananite soil

Abram calls on the name of Yahweh around Luz again. He has returned from Egypt richer than before, with additional servants, animals, silver, and gold. So has Lot, his young nephew. They both have flocks, herds, and tents.

Luz. Here is where Abram has his tents and that altar. That altar is still there. Prayer and sacrifice and faith; this is how Abram runs.

Abram lives with Lot. They each have their own herders. However, things are starting to get off bad when they both fight over the limited resources. Even worse now that it's the dry summer months.

Abram is inside his tent, speaking with Sarai about God's promise of a child.

"But Abram, I don't have a child yet," states Sarai.

"It's been some months since we arrived here the first time, and God told me he will give this land to me and to my future descendants," says Abram. "When God sees it fit he will grant us the promised child."

"How long do you think I can wait?" asks Sarai.

"God knows what he's doing, beloved. He never makes mistakes—"

Then they get interrupted by sounds outside. Sounds like there is an argument underfoot. They can both hear it clearly:

"Your master's sheep and goats always get the best grass! About the time the sheep and goats of our master get that!" "You can't invade our property!" "Who says no?" "Why, you?"

Fearful these verbal attacks could get physical, Abram hurries out the tent. He hurries on and on until he gets to the scene of arguing. Lot's wife sees Abram coming from the distance, so she heads off to fetch Lot.

Meanwhile, Abram arrives and tries to calm down their feelings. He then sees the magnitude of this. When Lot arrives with his wife, Abram turns to Lot. "What happened here, nephew?"

Lot sighs. "Abram." Then he turns to his wife and following that steps forward to Abram. "Abram, our flocks and our herds need grass also."

"God will provide," assures Abram. "Calm down, guys. This can be resolved."

Two days later, Abram, in his tent, can overhear more arguing. He sighs and hurries to the scene. Again it's his herders and Lot's. "Guys, can we stop?" Abram asks.

Lot arrives also. "Okay, who started this?"

So much is coming forth between Abram's and Lot's about who started this. Abram sighs. "The poor sheep, what can we do?"

"I don't know anymore," mutters Lot.

Abram looks at the sky. "Perhaps... perhaps we must separate."

"S... separate..." Lot continues to mutter.

"Let there be no strife between me and you, between my herdsmen and yours," says Abram. "What kind of example are we presenting to the Canaanites and Perizzites of the land? They'll hear. They'll hear."

Abram signals to Lot to come up the high hill nearby. So they both climb up. Lot looks at his uncle. He doesn't hate me, he just wants to end these disputes once and for all.

Now that they make it to the highest point of the hill, Abram stretches forth his hand over all the land they can see. North—south—west—east.

"Isn't the land before you?" asks the senior Abram. "Now, we have to separate. I don't want this. Believe me, I don't. We are family, after all."

Lot nods in the understanding of Abram's words.

Abram turns to Lot. Abram has the right to choose the best land. But he humbly says, "You choose. Whichever portion you choose, I will go the other way."

Lot quickly shoots his eyes around all the terrain. Here is his chance to signal out the best land for himself and his flocks and his group of people. He especially notes the Jordan plain. He has never seen it, but Lot is reminded of the Paradise of Eden that Abram would keep reminding his clan of. Lot is also reminded of how fertile Egypt is. He has seen Egypt, after all.

The Jordan plain also has wealthy and great cities—Sodom, Gomorrah, Bela, Admah, and Zeboiim. But these are perverse cities. They are downgrading by the year. The beauty of these five cities is only outward. Inwardly, it is bitterness.

Lot didn't seem to care. "All that. All the Jordan plain," he selfishly decides.

+

"Is it true, Abram?" asks Sarai nervously. "Abram, is Lot going to sever from us?"

They are in Abram's tent. Abram didn't seem to hear her. Sarai only grows more desperate. "Abram, is Lot leaving us?"

Abram finally turns to her. He cares. He has that look on his face. "Yes. I suggested it."

Sarai, her fears confirmed, trembles for Lot. "The Jordan plain? Abram, the people there are idolaters! They are selfish and bitter! Have you heard how frequent rape is in the cities there? It's gotten to the point that those rapists do not care about the gender of their victims! Abram, that is sin!"

"I know, Sarai," Abram says, nodding in agreement. He then shakes his head. "But it's his choice, not mine. If it were my choice, then blame me all you want."

Sarai isn't easily given to security. "The names of those kings are themselves hints they are places to be avoided, Abram! Think of it: Sodom's king, Bela, has the name For Evil! Gomorrah's king, Birsha, has the name For wickedness! Admah's king, Shinab, has the name In it for the money! Zeboiim's king, Shemeber, has the—"

Abram groans. "Sarai. I don't want this for Lot either. But I can't decide for him. I repeat, beloved: it's HIS decision."

Sarai still isn't easily given. "They are not just any sinners. They taunt God, Abram! They hear of you, and they taunt you! What will they do to Lot?"

Abram repeats: "It's his decision, Sarai."

"His decision," echoes Sarai. Then she walks out of the tent. But Abram could still hear Sarai: "His decision is suicide. These kings have rebelled against their master recently."

Abram sighs.

+

And so it was: Lot divided from Abram; Lot's group divided from Abram's group. Abram watches from a distance as Lot's clan moves out. Lot's wife—Abram observes—smiles at Lot. "A wise decision, Lot. We will be rich and prosperous, thanks to you!"

"Yes, dear," says Lot, accepting the flattery. "Thanks to me." They walk on with their young daughters.

Abram makes a silent sigh. "Oh God, have mercy on them," he quietly prays.

"Look from the place where you are."

Huh? thinks Abram. Oh, it's you, Lord.

The voice bids Abram, "Look, Abram. North to south, west to east—I will give it all to you and your offspring forever, all the land you can see. I will make your offspring like the dust of the ground. If anyone is able to count the dust of the ground, then your offspring can be counted."

Abram accepts the divine promise. "I believe you."

The Lord continues, "Get up now and walk about on the land, through its length and width. I will give it to you."

+

Abram camps at the oaks of Mamre. Besides it, he establishes another altar for Yahweh. Abram is content with his simple life. Mamre's oaks are about three miles from the city of Hebron.

"The free air, the plains, the olive groves and vineyards, the wide pasture grounds," says Abram to Sarai, "we have to give thanks to God that we have this for our herds and flocks."

Abram is walking along the plains. "Oh, yes. Thank God. Now I wonder how Lot is doing."