INTRODUCTION:  The early history of Abraham (here, Abram) is a striking picture of what it means to leave the world and follow after God.  He has delays and setbacks.  He sometimes partially obeys and sometimes falls back from where he was.  But he always finds a way with God’s help to get back on track.  There is much we can learn from him.

1. ABRAM’S FAMILY LINE (Genesis 11:26-32 [26] And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran. [27] Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot. [28] And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees. [29] And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah. [30] But Sarai was barren; she had no child. [31] And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. [32] And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
   See All...)
1. Family Members (Genesis 11:26-30 [26] And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran. [27] Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot. [28] And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees. [29] And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah. [30] But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
   See All...)
1. Father – Terah (Genesis 11:26And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.
   See All...)
1. Takes family from Ur to Haran (Genesis 11:31And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
   See All...)
2. Dies in Haran (Genesis 11:32And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
   See All...; Acts 7:2-4 [2] And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, [3] And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. [4] Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
   See All...)
2. Brothers
1. Haran
1. Dies in Ur (Genesis 11:28And Haran died before his father Terah in the land of his nativity, in Ur of the Chaldees.
   See All...)
2. City of Haran named after him (Genesis 11:31And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
   See All...)
3. Father of Lot (Genesis 11:31And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
   See All...)
2. Nahor
1. Marries Milchah (Genesis 11:29And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah.
   See All...)
2. Dwells in Haran (Genesis 11:31And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
   See All...)
3. Father of Bethuel
4. Grandfather of Laban and Rebekah
5. Great grandfather of Leah and Rachel
3. Nephew – Lot (Genesis 11:27Now these are the generations of Terah: Terah begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran begat Lot.
   See All...)
4. Wife – Sarai (Genesis 11:29-30 [29] And Abram and Nahor took them wives: the name of Abram's wife was Sarai; and the name of Nahor's wife, Milcah, the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah, and the father of Iscah. [30] But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
   See All...)
1. His half-sister (Genesis 20:12And yet indeed she is my sister; she is the daughter of my father, but not the daughter of my mother; and she became my wife.
   See All...)
2. She had no child (Genesis 11:30But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
   See All...).
2. The Trip to Haran (Genesis 11:31-32 [31] And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. [32] And the days of Terah were two hundred and five years: and Terah died in Haran.
   See All...)
1. They came from Ur of the Chaldees (Genesis 11:31And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
   See All...).
1. An ancient city-state in Mesopotamia on the Euphrates River
2. Not too far from Babylon, the location of the confusing of the tongues and the scattering of the people (Genesis 11:8-9 [8] So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. [9] Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
   See All...)
3. A place of idolatry (Joshua 24:2And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods.
   See All...)
2. The group that made the trip (Genesis 11:31And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
   See All...)
1. Terah
2. Abram
3. Lot
4. Sarai
3. They left after Abram’s call (cp. Genesis 12:1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
   See All... with Acts 7:2-4 [2] And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, [3] And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. [4] Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Charran: and from thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell.
   See All...).
4. They stopped at Haran (Genesis 11:31And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son's son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram's wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there.
   See All...).
1. Located in upper Mesopotamia
2. About halfway between Ur and the land later known as Israel
3. NOTE: Not only did Abram stop when he was only halfway to where God wanted him, he also brought his family with him (see Genesis 12:1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
   See All...).
2. ABRAM’S DIVINE CALL (Genesis 12:1-9 [1] Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: [2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: [3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. [4] So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. [5] And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. [6] And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. [7] And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. [8] And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. [9] And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
   See All...)
1. The Fourfold Call (Genesis 12:1Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
   See All...)
1. Out of thy country
2. From thy kindred
3. From thy father’s house
4. Unto a land that I will shew thee
5. NOTE:  It was not until Abram completed the first three commands (by separating from Lot) that God actually showed him the land that He had promised him (see Genesis 13:14-15 [14] And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: [15] For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
   See All...).  When we refuse to complete what God has clearly shown us, we miss out on blessings He has for us.
2. The Sevenfold Promise (Genesis 12:2-3 [2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: [3] And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
   See All...)
1. I will make of thee a great nation.
2. I will bless thee.
3. I will make thy name great.
4. Thou shalt be a blessing.
5. I will bless them that bless thee.
6. I will curse him that curseth thee.
7. In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
8. NOTE:  This promise has never been done away with or disannulled (see Galatians 3:15-18 [15] Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. [16] Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. [17] And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. [18] For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
   See All...).
3. Abram’s Sojourning in the Land of Canaan (Genesis 12:4-9 [4] So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. [5] And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came. [6] And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. [7] And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. [8] And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD. [9] And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
   See All...)
1. He comes to Canaan (Genesis 12:4-5 [4] So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. [5] And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
   See All...).
1. At age 75 (Genesis 12:4So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.
   See All...)
2. With Sarai and Lot
3. With the substance and souls they got in Haran
2. In the place called Sichem (Genesis 12:6-7 [6] And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. [7] And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.
   See All...)
1. Sichem is also known as Shechem.
2. God appears to him again.
3. He builds an altar to the Lord.
3. Between Bethel and Hai (Genesis 12:8And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
   See All...)
1. He builds an altar.
2. He calls on the name of the Lord.
4. He journeys on to the south (Genesis 12:9And Abram journeyed, going on still toward the south.
   See All...).
3. ABRAM’S JOURNEY INTO EGYPT (Genesis 12:10-20 [10] And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. [11] And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: [12] Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. [13] Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee. [14] And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. [15] The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. [16] And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. [17] And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife. [18] And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? [19] Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way. [20] And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
   See All...)
1. Abram Journeys to Egypt (Genesis 12:10-13 [10] And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land. [11] And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: [12] Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive. [13] Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
   See All...).
1. He goes because of a famine in Canaan (Genesis 12:10And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
   See All...).
2. He worries about his wife (Genesis 12:11-12 [11] And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: [12] Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
   See All...).
1. She is very beautiful (Genesis 12:11And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon:
   See All...).
2. He is afraid the Egyptians will kill him in order to get her (Genesis 12:12Therefore it shall come to pass, when the Egyptians shall see thee, that they shall say, This is his wife: and they will kill me, but they will save thee alive.
   See All...).
3. He instructs her to tell the Egyptians that she is only his sister (Genesis 12:13Say, I pray thee, thou art my sister: that it may be well with me for thy sake; and my soul shall live because of thee.
   See All...).
4. The spiritual conditions
1. Abram knew the Lord wanted him in Canaan, yet he allowed the trial of famine to remove him from God’s will.
2. Abram is at once gripped by the fear of man.  This is not associated with being in the will of God (Proverbs 29:25The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
   See All...).
5. The significance of Egypt
1. In this, the first mention of Egypt in the Bible (Genesis 12:10And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
   See All...), Abram goes “down into Egypt.”
2. Throughout the Bible, Egypt is a type of the world.
3. The Israelites are in captivity in Egypt and must be redeemed from the land in Exodus.
4. Isaiah 31:1Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!
   See All... says, “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help.”  This theme is continued throughout the Bible.
5. Even in this story, Abram builds an altar at Bethel (Genesis 12:8And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
   See All...).  However, there is not another altar until Abram comes back to Bethel after he leaves Egypt (Genesis 13:3-4 [3] And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; [4] Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
   See All...).
2. Abram in Egypt (Genesis 12:14-17 [14] And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. [15] The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house. [16] And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels. [17] And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.
   See All...)
1. Sarai taken into Pharaoh’s house (Genesis 12:14-15 [14] And it came to pass, that, when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians beheld the woman that she was very fair. [15] The princes also of Pharaoh saw her, and commended her before Pharaoh: and the woman was taken into Pharaoh's house.
   See All...)
2. Abram treated well for Sarai’s sake (Genesis 12:16And he entreated Abram well for her sake: and he had sheep, and oxen, and he asses, and menservants, and maidservants, and she asses, and camels.
   See All...)
3. Pharoah’s house plagued because of Sarai (Genesis 12:17And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.
   See All...)
4. Notice how Abram’s plan backfired.  If Abram had only obeyed God, things surely would have worked out differently.
3. Abram Sent from Egypt (Genesis 12:18-20 [18] And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? [19] Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way. [20] And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
   See All...)
1. Pharaoh reprimands Abram (Genesis 12:18-19 [18] And Pharaoh called Abram and said, What is this that thou hast done unto me? why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? [19] Why saidst thou, She is my sister? so I might have taken her to me to wife: now therefore behold thy wife, take her, and go thy way.
   See All...).
2. Pharaoh sends Abram away (Genesis 12:20And Pharaoh commanded his men concerning him: and they sent him away, and his wife, and all that he had.
   See All...).
4. ABRAM’S SEPARATION FROM LOT (Genesis 13:1-18 [1] And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. [2] And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. [3] And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; [4] Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD. [5] And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. [6] And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. [7] And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. [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. [9] Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. [10] And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. [11] Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. [12] Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. [13] But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. [14] And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: [15] For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. [16] And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. [17] Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. [18] Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
   See All...)
1. Abram Returns to Bethel (Genesis 13:1-4 [1] And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. [2] And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. [3] And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; [4] Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
   See All...).
1. Abram comes out of Egypt as a rich man (Genesis 13:1-2 [1] And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. [2] And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
   See All...).
2. Abram returns to Bethel and builds an altar (Genesis 13:3-4 [3] And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; [4] Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
   See All...).
3. Bethel means “house of God.”
4. For centuries, preachers have used Bethel as a picture of those who come back to God after leaving Him and getting in the world.  Perhaps you have a student who needs to come back to Bethel.
2. Abram and Lot Separate (Genesis 13:5-13 [5] And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. [6] And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. [7] And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. [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. [9] Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. [10] And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. [11] Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. [12] Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. [13] But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
   See All...).
1. There is strife between Lot’s herdmen and Abram’s herdmen (Genesis 13:5-7 [5] And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. [6] And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. [7] And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.
   See All...).
2. Abram offers Lot the first choice in the part of the land he wants (Genesis 13:8-9 [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. [9] Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
   See All...; compare Romans 12:18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
   See All...).
3. Lot chooses the plain of Jordan (Genesis 13:10-11 [10] And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. [11] Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
   See All...).
1. It was well watered every where.
2. It was even as the garden of the Lord.
4. Lot pitches his tent toward Sodom (Genesis 13:12-13 [12] Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. [13] But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
   See All...).
1. In the beginning Lot’s tent is only pitched toward Sodom, yet in the end he is sitting in the gate in the midst of the wicked city.
2. Sin never ends up where it starts.
3. Genesis 13:13But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
   See All... has 13 words and the combination of the name Sodom and the name Gomorrah is 13 letters.
5. NOTE: Lot made his choice on worldly terms and he paid the price later.  He was drawn to the wicked men of Sodom (Genesis 13:13But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
   See All...) and ended up losing his family and his wealth (chapter 19).  Many people today love the things of the world and are drawn to them, but do they realize the price that must be paid for this love?  It is never a good idea to make a choice based on one’s possessions.
3. God Shows the Promised Land to Abram (Genesis 13:14-18 [14] And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: [15] For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. [16] And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. [17] Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee. [18] Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
   See All...).
1. God renews His promise of the land (Genesis 13:14-15 [14] And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: [15] For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
   See All...).
2. God renews His promise of a seed (Genesis 13:16And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
   See All...).
3. God tells Abram to survey the land (Genesis 13:17Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
   See All...).
4. Abram makes his base in Hebron (Genesis 13:18Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD.
   See All...).

CONCLUSION:  Abraham never took possession of the promised land while he lived on this earth (see Hebrews 11:8-16 [8] By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. [9] By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: [10] For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. [11] Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. [12] Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. [13] These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. [14] For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. [15] And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. [16] But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
See All...).  Yet, he never stopped surveying it and seeking for it.  He will yet get his land.  In like manner, much of what we seek for will not be received in this life.  But it is still worth the seeking.  Let us rise and go after that for which God called us. Let us apprehend that for which also we were apprehended (Philippians 3:12-14 [12] Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger. [13] Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah. [14] Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.
See All...).