LECTURE XIII.

ABRAM AND LOT.

GEN. 13. 8. And Abram said unto Lot, let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. ·

IT

Lay be as well to give you a brief account of Abram and Lot, before we say any thing

about the quarrel mentioned in the words of the Text.

Abram was the youngest son of Terah ; he was born when his father was about 130 years old, in the year of the world 2008. The first 70 years of Abram's life was spent with his father in Ur of the Chaldees, and like the rest of his family he worshipped idols. After the death of his brother Haran, God appeared to Abram and called him to leave his native land, and at the same time, it is probable that God told him what a great sin it was to worship idols. After the death of his father, God appeared to Abram again, and commanded him to leave

his country, and his family, and travel to a land that he would shew him.

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And Abram ?

Abram

took his wife and Lot his brother's son, and his substance," not knowing the way nor the country in which he was to dwell. pitched his tent in the plain of Moreh. There God appeared to him a third tim, and confirmed his promises which he had before made to Abram. A famine happened while he dwelt in the land of Canaan, and he went down to Egypt and dwelt in that country till the famine was over,

Lot was the son of Haran, the brother of Abram. After his father's death, he lived and travelled with Abram who was his uncle. It is supposed that Abram's wife was Lot's sister. In this family he was brought up in the worship and religion of the true and living God. For it is said, that when his uncle came near Bethel, he pitched his tent and builded an altar and called upon the name of the Lord. This appears to have been the constant practice of Abram, that wherever he pitched his tent, there he builded an altar for the worship of God. Lot had a pious uncle, and he set before him a good example.

I will tell you more about LOT another time. I. Let us notice the OCCASION of this QUARREL.

When Abram went up out of Egypt, he was very rich in cattle, in silver and in gold; for Pharoah king of Egypt, had given him many valuable presents. And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them that they might dwell together. They had hitherto been inseperable companions, but now they must part, "for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together." Their riches was the cause of their seperation. They were very rich, God had blessed them. There are two little words that have often caused great quarrels. Mine and thine. Their riches not only removed them to a distance from each other, but also became the occasion of strife and contention. Riches often make men proud and covetous. Poverty and travels could not part Lot and his uncle, but their substance would not allow them to dwell together. What a sad thing was it that these two persons who had hitherto enjoyed the benefit of each other's company, could

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could not any longer enjoy that harmony, peace and comfort, which had hitherto subsisted between them.

II. The BEGINNING of this QUARREL. "And there was a strife betwe n the herdmen of Abram's cattle, and the herdmen of Lot's cattle."-It seems, the quarrel began between the servants. The herdmen found that there was not pasture enough for the flocks and herds. They were desirous of excelling each other in fatness of their cattle. No doubt they were proud of having the best cattle, and probably often said to each other,

My master's cattle look much better than yours, they are not so lean, your's look sickly, they look as if they had not enough to eat. Come, see what fine pasture we feed our cattle in." This no doubt was the cause of frequent disagreements between them. At last they appeal to their masters and wish them to be judges between them, each desiring to be approved, and each fearing they should be reproved when the cattle came to be examined and compared together. How often is it that servants become the occasion of much ill-will between neighbours and friends.

How

Bad

How careful we ought to be in this country where so much depends on the servants, not to interfere in their quarrels any more than we can possibly help. Each will endeavor to cast the blame on the other, and it is almost impossible to come at the truth. servants often make a great deal of mischief between families. Their pride, falsehood and deceit are sure to be the cause of much evil. Masters of families will do well not to listen to every tale they tell, for when they find that they are believed, they will often tell lies to get into favor if they can. Let us remember that the servants in this country are, generally speaking, without any principle of gratitude," sincerity or honesty. Bad servants are the devil's agents, and the master's worst enemies. Let us take care not to begin strife; the beginning of strife is as when one letteth forth water: therefore leave off contention before it be meddled with; for where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. Solomon says it is an honor for a man to cease from strife.

REL.

III. Look at the DANGER of this QUARIt is said that "the Canaanite and the Perizzite