Tuesday 23 June 2009
- Bible Book:
- Genesis
"Then Abram said to Lot, 'Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herders and my herders; for we are kindred. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left'." (v.8-9)
Background
The book of Genesis is very often concerned with the capacity ofthe land to support its peoples and territorial disputes. TheNegeb, east of Egypt, was especially drought-prone (the word comesfrom a root meaning 'parched'). The land could not sustain twolarge herds living together.
So Lot separates from Abram. What appeared to be good grazing landdid not fulfil its promise. Lot's story becomes one of displacementand flight (see
But what of our theme - Abram, the father of many nations? At thisstage in the narrative, the pattern of blessing entails separation.Lot, ancestor of Moab and Ammon, parts from Abram. Drunkenrelations with his daughters in a cave (
This separation or branching in Abram's line of descendants isrepeated later in his favouring of Isaac over Ishmael, and thebirthright given to Jacob not Esau. The peculiar line of blessingfrom Yahweh (one of the ancient Hebrew names for God) through Abramseems to follow only one branch.
Abram is indeed to father a great nation through his son Isaac andgrandson Jacob. Yet Moab and the descendants of Lot are alsoincluded in the divine plan. Ruth the Moabite is to become theancestor of Jesse and David (a future king of Israel).
The story of divine blessing and Yahweh's relation with the peoplesof the earth cannot be told exclusively with reference to Abram'sline of descendants through Isaac.
These ancient texts account for the existence of many peoples in ageographical region. Theologically, they tell the story of electionthrough Abram and one line of his descendants. Crucially, however,the many distinct peoples of the world - including the descendantsof Lot - also trace their origin to the creator God.
To Ponder
Contrary to appearances, drought-prone land(rather than lush plains, chosen by Lot) was to be the bearer ofthe divine promise. How does this seem to suggest that God'svaluation of the sources of blessing might be different fromours?
Consider the role played in these ancient textsby the 'land'. Elsewhere, the land seems almost to acquire agency(Leviticus18:25). How can you, as a modern-day reader, interpretthis?