The consequences of our choices

Genesis 13: 6-13

The ability to choose is always there, it happens very early in life, and it is consistent in how it affects our actions, our character, and with the ability to choose, comes responsibility for our actions.  Chapter thirteen begins with Abram leaving Egypt with Sarai and all he has acquired and Lot.  Somewhere the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot began to fight over grazing land, there was too many flocks and herds and tents, the land could not support both of them living together.  We have this account from Genesis 13:8, “Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.  Is not the whole land before you?  Separate yourself from me.  If you take the left hand, then I will go to right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

   Abram is human and I’m sure he is looking back to one of his choices, and thinking if only I would have done what God told me to do.  Yes, God was very clear in His instruction to Abram,” Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”  Now it is getting ugly and Abram gives his nephew a choice, “And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar.  I’m sure it surprised you that Lot chose the Jordan Valley, and the Scriptures tell us that Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom.  The thirteenth verse gives this interesting information; “Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.”

The ability to choose is always with us; what Lot forgot and what we forget is that we are free to choose, but we are not free from the consequences of our choices

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice