Progression of Backsliding

Genesis 13:7-13

Introduction:
I grew up watching re-runs of the television series “Father Knows Best.” Many of you remember the Anderson family and the wise father, Jim Anderson. While the show portrayed a conservative mid-west family guided by a caring and sensible dad, in real life, the actor who played the father, Robert Young, was leading a troubled life. He struggled with alcohol, violence, and depression. He struggled with the thoughts of suicide and even attempted suicide at one point. You can never tell what is beneath the façade of a smiling face. Many live deeply troubled lives even though they seem to have it all.

Abraham and Lot left Ur together. Lot has been by his uncle’s side through all his travels. They both have been blessed with material wealth, but troubles are brewing beneath the surface. Lot is making destructive choices that are affecting his family. Eventually, those choices had devastating consequences.

I. STRIFE of RIVALS-
Abraham and Lot were family and should not have been at odds with one another
But instead of working in cooperation and harmony, Lot competed with his uncle
With a complete disregard for the many ways his uncle has helped him, Lot becomes a rival
There just was not enough pasture land to keep both herds together and feed them.
They probably could have managed to coexist if there were not other problems
Rather than choosing to find creative solutions, Lot allowed the problems to escalate
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
There is security and benefit in having association and fellowship
Ecclesiastes 4:12 One standing alone can be attacked and defeated And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Keeping the two families and laborers together provided security against bandits
But there are going to be difficulties when you start putting people together
Marriages, and even Christian marriages are rarely seen as a shelter of refuge
Instead, they seem to be something to escape. There will be difficulties to navigate
There will be annoying behaviors that grate on your nerves
But selfishness will only emphasize those, while love covers a multitude of sins
Let’s not lose sight of the advantages that we gain by being together
There was also a strong family bond that would have encouraged them stay together
Remember that things were much different at that time than they are today
They lived under the Patriarchal system where there was a father who was like chief
Sons would marry and bring their wives to live with the tribal clan (economy may force)
Tents were enlarged or small tent villages were fashioned and families stayed together
How hard must it have been and how bad the situation when Abram breaks tradition
I surmise that Lot’s attitude had to have encouraged the strife with servants
Lot would only have to say the word and his servants would have respected Abraham
After all, Lot is blessed chiefly because of Abraham and his help and knowledge
Lot’s servants fought over the best pasture lands and watering holes
This strife was wrong and unnecessary
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
The Canaanites and Perizzites were