Genesis 13: Abram and Lot: Choosing Peace

Friday, August 29, 2025

by Chinwenmeri Ikechi

Abram and Lot's servants argue over land, illustrating the Bible story about making wise choices.

Genesis 13 tells the story of Abram and his nephew Lot and how they learned to make wise choices. This chapter teaches us about faith, peace, and trusting God to provide for us.

After Abram returned from Egypt, he was very rich. He had many animals, silver, gold, and servants. Lot also had many animals and servants. Because both Abram and Lot had so many possessions, the land could not support all of them living together. There were not enough resources for both their families and animals, and arguments started between their servants.

Abram gestures to Lot, offering him land choice, while vast Canaan stretches behind them, symbolizing faith.

Abram wanted peace, so he gave Lot the choice of which land he wanted to live in. Abram trusted God to take care of him, so he did not need to argue or fight. Lot chose to live in the fertile plain of Jordan near the city of Sodom. Abram stayed in Canaan, trusting God’s promises.

After Lot left, God spoke to Abram and promised that all the land he could see would belong to him and his descendants forever. God reminded Abram that his descendants would be as many as the dust of the earth. Abram built an altar there to worship God and thank Him.

Abram peacefully lets Lot choose land in a biblical illustration emphasizing trust in God and peaceful resolution.

This chapter teaches us the importance of making peaceful choices, trusting God instead of competing, and relying on God to provide for us. Abram showed faith and humility, and God rewarded him.

Discussion Questions

1 Who traveled with Abram after he returned from Egypt?

Lot traveled with Abram after he returned from Egypt.

2 Why did Abram and Lot separate?

Abram and Lot separated because they both had so many possessions that the land could not support them living together, leading to arguments between their servants.

3 Who gave Lot the choice of land?

Abram gave Lot the choice of land.

4 Which land did Lot choose?

Lot chose to live in the fertile plain of Jordan near the city of Sodom.

5 Where did Abram stay after Lot left?

Abram stayed in Canaan after Lot left.

6 What did God promise Abram after Lot left?

God promised Abram that all the land he could see would belong to him and his descendants forever, and that his descendants would be as many as the dust of the earth.

7 What did Abram do to thank God?

Abram built an altar to worship God and thank Him.

8 What lesson does Genesis 13 teach about handling conflicts?

Genesis 13 teaches the importance of making peaceful choices, trusting God instead of competing, and relying on God to provide for us when handling conflicts.

9 Why was Abram willing to let Lot choose first?

Abram was willing to let Lot choose first because he trusted God to take care of him and did not need to argue or fight over the land.

10 How can we follow Abram’s example today?

We can follow Abram's example today by choosing peace over conflict, trusting God to provide for us, and showing humility and faith in our interactions with others.