Genesis 13:1-18
"Abram and Lot Separate"
Abram and Lot were forced, by necessity, to separate. Their possessions and livestock had grown to immense numbers and their families and family servants had begun quarreling with each other.
When they had reached the site where Abram had previously built an altar to God (see Genesis Ch 12:8 verse, comments), Abram prayed and, shortly thereafter, he and Lot began to discuss separating and the direction in which each should go. Lot looked out and chose first, choosing the lusher, richer lands of the Jordan River valley and heading East to settle there. Incidentally, Lot was also headed towards Sodom, an extremely sinful city.
After Lot had left, though, we see God speaking to Abram, telling him to look towards each of the cardinal points and promising to him that He would give to Abram's descendants all the land that he [Abram] could see in every direction. Abram is then told to travel the land, for God will give it to him.
Again, we see God making a promise to Abram/Abraham, this time promising land for the multitudes of descendants that will issue from Abram. Not only this, but the promise was given for his descendants for all time, being physical descendants prior to Christ and spiritual ones afterwards (Romans 4:13-16). We can also look back at this prophecy and see how God has kept it (and, before you point to the Exile, might I remind you, that there were some remaining Jews who were not taken captive by the Babylonians).
In addition to God's promise, we see a very good, Biblical model for conflict resolution. Abram met with Lot, discussed genteelly the matter at hand, and devised an appropriate solution. This model is one worth following.
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