Dr. Lawrence Butler, The Bridge Church, Pembroke

It seems to be rather accepted that much can be learned about people by observing who their friends are. Honest people don’t generally become close friends with liars and thieves. Those who love the party life tend to move among groups that enjoy the same activities. Moral people avoid developing relationships with immoral individuals. The Bible states it like this, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” ( Amos 3:3). The Apostle Paul said, “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?” (II Corinthians 6:14).

The reason for opening this article with this principle is Abram and Lot, uncle and nephew in our story, are very different people.

Abram had a calling from God to relocate to a land promised to him by the Lord. Lot was simply a family member who went along with Abram. Scripture often presents two characters together to reveal a contrast between them. Consider Cain and Abel – one who offered his sacrifice as ordered by God, and the other (Cain) who decided to do things his way and was rejected. Then there’s David and Saul – David is described as a man after God’s own heart, and Saul who disobeyed God’s command and lost his kingdom. Mary and Martha were two sisters of very different personalities – one constantly busy and the other sitting and waiting at Jesus feet.

When we compare Abram and Lot, we find Abram to be generous and magnanimous – he allowed Lot to make the choice of which direction to move when they separated. Lot was worldly and greedy, choosing what he considered the best land for himself. Lot made man’s city (Sodom) his home while Abram “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10).

Abram became the father of all believers while Lot’s name lives in infamy. Abraham (as he came to be called) became the heir of the world (Rom. 4:18), while Lot’s possessions were destroyed and he ended life empty, sleeping in a cave. He became the father of enemies of Israel through incest, alone and rejected. Be careful who your friends are for they will help define you.