Quarreling Herdsmen

Many are aware of the quarrel that ensues with the competing herdsmen of these two men of God (Gen. 13:6-9). Let’s make it very clear there is absolutely no quarrel ever mentioned between Abraham and Lot. On the other hand, their servants were not as amiable or loving as these two men of God were. One must also take into account the different places from which all these servants had been acquired. Some may have come all the way from Ur with them. We know already that some came from Haran and later some from Egypt (Gen. 12:5, 16, 20). Naturally, cultural and geographical differences would have resulted in some stress between these divergent people who were all living together. In addition, a study of the territory in question where these people resided shows that they were high up in mountainous terrain. Consequently, there would have been far less grazing land for their large herds and water would have been scarce in this dry land. All of these factors would have contributed to the ensuing conflict.

The Bible clearly indicates that God wanted to have mankind spread out (Gen. 1:28; 2:24; 9:1; etc.). While God does not admire strife, His hand was clearly involved in their residential separation. He used the strife amongst their herdsmen to His advantage. Each of these faithful men of God had a different calling in the Creator’s great plan. They had both been led to this placed called the promised land by the Eternal. In just a short time, these two men had left the only home they’d ever known and traveled to a land far away. Their great wealth and blessing beyond any expectation must have increased their faith. Now, a conflict had arisen which would cause yet other sweeping changes for each man and his family.

When Abraham offers Lot the choice of land in Gen. 13:8-9, the language is not so cut and dried the way many scholars have previously assumed. They interpret and portray some unstated unselfishness on Abraham’s part as he magnanimously offered Lot the choice of the land to call home. While we agree Abraham does demonstrate high character by offering Lot first choice of land, we simply disagree on the complete attitude and motive inherent in Abraham’s actions. One must take into account their ages. Even in their era close to 4,000 years ago, Abraham was hardly a young man at 75+ years of age. Many logical points have already been presented showing Lot could have easily been 20-40 years older making him anywhere from 95-115 years old. Therefore, the alternative view is Abraham was merely showing a high respect to Lot’s eldership. We have repeatedly attempted to show the evolving relationship between these two great men of God. Lot had started off as the family leader and elder. Through time, Abraham became the spiritual leader of the family. In Gen. 13:8-9, Abraham acted in accordance with the well-understood reality that Lot was and always would be the familial elder. His statements were in keeping with his great respect for Lot and his high degree of character in being quick to offer that respect.

Now, some may attempt to slight Lot because he didn’t turn around and treat Abraham in the same magnanimous way some are so quick to label as Abraham’s virtuous character. Before any are too quick to lash out at Lot, please consider our earier position that he very likely had family present with him by this point. Logically, Lot chose the lower valley area and the cities of the plain around Sodom as home in order to rear his sons and daughters. The fact that no other immediate family for Lot is stated, other than Abraham and Sarah up to this point, does not mean there was not any present. For instance, Adam and Eve are stated in Scripture to have had three boys by name: Cain, Abel, and Seth. Does any scholar or student actually think there were never any daughters born to our first parents? Logic dictates that there must have been. In addition, Noah had only three sons named Japeth, Ham, and Shem. These sons hadn’t even begun to be sired until Noah was 500 years old. Does anyone really think that Noah and wife waited until that age to start a family? Of course, not. Archealogical discoveries, their historical culture, and accepted patterns in Scripture all lend credence to the claim that Lot already had a family of his own.

Lot would have logically chosen these cities of the plain with his family in mind. Many have portrayed Lot as being greedy by choosing the supposedly better land; yet, Scripture never states that the land he chose was actually better. This false assumption should not be taken for granted as Scripture never states the herdsmen disputed over bad land and good land. There simply was not enough land for all their herds to remain together. Once either party departed, the land in dispute would then be suitable for whichever remained.

Did God have a hand in exactly when this dispute arose that caused Lot to choose the land he did? The majority try to state that Abraham graciously took Lot’s leavings; yet, Abraham didn’t even keep the remaining land himself for long (Gen. 13:12-18). By all indication, God wanted Lot in Sodom. He had a special calling for Lot to accomplish. He also wanted Abraham at Mamre, which is where he ended up. No communication warned Lot about his choice to reside in Sodom. On the other hand, evidence from Scripture strongly indicates that God had a special calling and purpose in leading Lot towards Sodom. Regardless of what others may argue, when push came to shove with their herdsmen, Abraham respected his elder brother Lot, and they parted as friends and brethren. Their separation placed them exactly where God wanted them.

Over the next 20 years, the precise relationship between these two men of God remains unclear. We do know, at some point, Abraham resuced Lot from invading alien forces that had conquered the inhabitants of Sodom. Lot had been taken prisoner along with his household and all of the neighboring residents (Gen. 14). With a small army of his own servants Abraham rescued Lot and his neighbors. In general, many events transpired for Abraham and his wife Sarah during those following years; however, after his rescue and return to Sodom, Lot’s story remains quiet. That is it remains quiet until Genesis 18 & 19, the focus of this writing.