Sunday, January 12, 2014

Year 4, Day 12: Genesis 13

Theological Commentary: Click Here 


Discipleship Focus: Authority, Power

  • Authority: Our calling.  This comes from God as king.  Because He calls us as His representatives, He gives us authority to go and do His will.
  • Power: This is the natural outcome when we truly get our authority from the king.  When our authority is from God, we are equipped with His power to accomplish His will.  We act on His behalf in a world that He desperately loves.


In Genesis 13 we get an incredible portrait of why it is that God chooses him to be the father of His people in faithfulness.  Abraham and his nephew return to the Promised Land after prospering in Egypt.  But they have to choose to separate because their combined wealth is too much for the land to sustain.

When it comes to separating, Abraham allows Lot to pick.  Abraham tells Lot, “You pick the direction and I’ll go to the place you don’t pick.”  He could easily have used his age, wisdom, and human authority to pick the better location.  But he doesn’t.  He allows Lot to pick.

Why is this important?  It is important because Abraham knows that with God on his side he will succeed wherever he goes.  If Lot wants the better land, it’s okay because God can prosper him whenever.  Abraham understands his place in God’s kingdom.  His authority comes from God, so he has the power to succeed regardless of the land he ends up in.  In other words, Abraham understands that his authority and power is not wrapped up in geography, land, or wealth.  His authority and power come from his relationship with God.  What a powerful testimony!


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