You Choose First

The Story

Abram and his nephew Lot had traveled together for years. God had blessed them both, and now they had so many sheep, goats, and cattle that the land couldn’t hold them. Their herdsmen started fighting over grass and water.

Abram was the older man. God had promised the land to him. He had every right to take the best of it.

Instead he said to Lot, “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.” Then he made an offer no one expected. The whole land is in front of you. You choose first. If you go left, I’ll go right. If you go right, I’ll go left.

Lot looked down at the Jordan valley. It was green and well watered, like a garden. He took it, and moved his tents toward the city of Sodom.

Abram was left with the hill country.

Then God spoke to him. “Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward.” Everything you can see, I am giving to you and to your children forever. Get up and walk through it.

Abram moved his tent to Hebron and built an altar to the Lord.

Reflection