Welcome to
Zion Bread of Life Christian Church

Rev Xi An Poon

親愛的家人，平安。

今天創世記第13章讓我們看見，亞伯蘭從埃及上來，帶著妻子、羅得和一切所有的回到迦南地。他的財物很多，有牲畜、金子和銀子。從外面看，他好像是豐富地回來；但真正重要的不是他帶回多少財物，而是他願意重新回到神面前。

經文說，亞伯蘭從南地漸漸往伯特利去，到了伯特利和艾的中間，就是他從前支搭帳棚、起先築壇的地方；他又在那裡求告耶和華的名。

伯特利不是單單一個地理位置，而是亞伯蘭回到起初祭壇的地方。經歷過埃及的懼怕、軟弱和混亂之後，他重新回到敬拜神、呼求神、倚靠神的位置。

但是，當他回到神面前，問題並沒有立刻完全消失。因為亞伯蘭和羅得的財物甚多，那地容不下他們同住，他們的牧人也開始相爭。

這提醒我們，有時候人的問題不只在缺乏中出現，也會在豐富中出現；不只在困難中出現，也會在資源變多、選擇變多、利益變大的時候出現。

一、先回到祭壇，讓心重新對準神

創世記 13:3-4「他從南地漸漸往伯特利去，到了伯特利和艾的中間，就是從前支搭帳棚的地方，
也是他起先築壇的地方；他又在那裡求告耶和華的名。」

亞伯蘭從埃及回來，第一個重要行動，就是回到伯特利，回到起初築壇、求告耶和華名的地方。

這提醒我們，當我們曾經因壓力、害怕、錯誤判斷而走偏時，最重要的不是急著證明自己，也不是急著處理所有問題，而是先回到神面前。

• 回到祭壇，就是重新禱告。
• 回到祭壇，就是重新敬拜。
• 回到祭壇，就是讓神再次調整我們的心。
• 回到祭壇，就是承認：主啊，我需要祢重新帶領我。

二、看重關係，不讓相爭奪走祝福

創世記 13:8-9「亞伯蘭就對羅得說：你我不可相爭，你的牧人和我的牧人也不可相爭，因為我們是骨肉。遍地不都在你眼前嗎？請你離開我；你向左，我就向右；你向右，我就向左。」

當亞伯蘭的牧人和羅得的牧人相爭時，亞伯蘭沒有先保護自己的權利，也沒有用長輩的身分壓住羅得。他說：「你我不可相爭……因為我們是骨肉。」

亞伯蘭越靠近神，他的心就越看重關係。他沒有讓土地比關係更重要，沒有讓財物比骨肉更重要，也沒有讓利益破壞和睦。

真正回到祭壇的人，會開始用神的眼光看關係。不是只問：「我可以得到什麼？」而是問：「神喜悅我怎樣待人？」

亞伯蘭願意讓羅得先選，這不是軟弱，而是信靠。因為他相信，真正掌管他前路的不是羅得的選擇，而是神的應許。

三、相信神應許，在新的地方繼續築壇

創世記 13:14-15「羅得離別亞伯蘭以後，耶和華對亞伯蘭說：從你所在的地方，你舉目向東西南北觀看；凡你所看見的一切地，我都要賜給你和你的後裔，直到永遠。」

創世記 13:18「亞伯蘭就搬了帳棚，來到希伯崙幔利的橡樹那裡居住，在那裡為耶和華築了一座壇。」

羅得選擇約旦河全平原，因為那地看起來滋潤、肥沃、吸引人。可是經文也提醒我們，那地靠近所多瑪。

羅得是憑眼見選擇；亞伯蘭是在神的應許中等候。

羅得離開之後，神對亞伯蘭說，要他舉目向東西南北觀看，凡他所看見的一切地，神都要賜給他和他的後裔。

後來，亞伯蘭搬了帳棚，來到希伯崙幔利的橡樹那裡居住，並在那裡為耶和華築壇。

這很重要。亞伯蘭不只在伯特利築壇；當他到了新的地方，他仍然築壇。這代表敬拜神不只是某一次經歷，而是成為他生命的方式。

伯特利，是他回到起初祭壇的地方。

希伯崙幔利，是他在新的階段繼續築壇的地方。

今天，神也提醒我們：不要只在過去敬拜神，也要在新的環境、新的責任、新的季節中，繼續讓神居首位。

總結

創世記第13章讓我們看見一條很清楚的屬靈道路：

• 先回到祭壇，讓心重新對準神；
• 再看重關係，不讓相爭奪走祝福；
• 最後相信神應許，在新的地方繼續築壇。

羅得選擇眼前看起來最好的平原；亞伯蘭選擇留在神面前。

羅得漸漸靠近所多瑪；亞伯蘭卻在神應許之地繼續築壇。

羅得看見的是滋潤的環境；亞伯蘭得著的是神親自說話的應許。

今天，神也呼喚我們回到祂面前。真正靠近神的人，會越來越看重神所看重的；真正回到祭壇的人，會在關係和選擇中活出不一樣的生命。

禱告

親愛的天父，感謝祢藉著創世記第13章提醒我們，人生最重要的不是得著多少，而是有沒有回到祢面前。

主啊，求祢赦免我們，有時候在壓力中靠自己，在選擇中看眼前，在關係中容易相爭，也在豐富中忘記了祭壇。

求祢帶領我們回到起初敬拜祢、呼求祢、單純信靠祢的地方。也幫助我們在關係中活出寬廣，不讓爭競、利益和得失奪走祢給我們的祝福。

主啊，無論祢帶領我們進入什麼新的階段、新的責任、新的環境，求祢使我們都能在那裡繼續築壇，繼續敬拜祢，繼續讓祢居首位。

奉主耶穌基督的名禱告，阿們。

創世記 13

1 亞伯蘭帶著他的妻子與羅得並一切所有的，都從埃及上南地去。 2 亞伯蘭的金銀、牲畜極多。 3 他從南地漸漸往伯特利去，到了伯特利和艾的中間，就是從前支搭帳篷的地方， 4 也是他起先築壇的地方，他又在那裡求告耶和華的名。 5 與亞伯蘭同行的羅得也有牛群、羊群、帳篷。 6 那地容不下他們，因為他們的財物甚多，使他們不能同居。 7 當時，迦南人與比利洗人在那地居住。亞伯蘭的牧人和羅得的牧人相爭。

8 亞伯蘭就對羅得說：「你我不可相爭，你的牧人和我的牧人也不可相爭，因為我們是骨肉。 9 遍地不都在你眼前嗎？請你離開我。你向左，我就向右；你向右，我就向左。」 10 羅得舉目，看見約旦河的全平原，直到瑣珥，都是滋潤的。那地在耶和華未滅所多瑪、蛾摩拉以先如同耶和華的園子，也像埃及地。 11 於是羅得選擇約旦河的全平原，往東遷移。他們就彼此分離了。 12 亞伯蘭住在迦南地，羅得住在平原的城邑，漸漸挪移帳篷，直到所多瑪。 13 所多瑪人在耶和華面前罪大惡極。

14 羅得離別亞伯蘭以後，耶和華對亞伯蘭說：「從你所在的地方，你舉目向東西南北觀看， 15 凡你所看見的一切地，我都要賜給你和你的後裔，直到永遠。 16 我也要使你的後裔如同地上的塵沙那樣多，人若能數算地上的塵沙，才能數算你的後裔。 17 你起來，縱橫走遍這地，因為我必把這地賜給你。」 18 亞伯蘭就搬了帳篷，來到希伯崙幔利的橡樹那裡居住，在那裡為耶和華築了一座壇。

Dear family, peace to you.

Today, Genesis 13 shows us that Abram came up from Egypt with his wife, Lot, and everything he had, returning to the land of Canaan. He had become very wealthy in livestock, silver, and gold. Outwardly, it seemed that he returned with great abundance. But the most important thing was not how much wealth he brought back. The most important thing was that he was willing to return to God.

The Bible tells us that Abram travelled from the Negev and gradually went back to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai. This was where he had pitched his tent before. It was also the place where he had first built an altar and called on the name of the Lord.

Bethel was not only a geographical location. For Abram, it was the place where he returned to the altar. After experiencing fear, weakness, and confusion in Egypt, he returned to the place of worship, prayer, and dependence on God.

However, returning to God did not mean that every problem disappeared immediately. Abram and Lot both had many possessions, and the land could not support them while they stayed together. Their herdsmen also began to quarrel.

This reminds us that problems do not only appear in times of lack. Sometimes problems also appear in times of abundance. They do not only appear in difficulty, but also when resources increase, choices increase, and personal interests become greater.

1. Return to the altar and let your heart be realigned with God

Genesis 13:3–4

After Abram returned from Egypt, his first important step was to go back to Bethel — the place where he had first built an altar and called on the name of the Lord.

This reminds us that when we have gone in the wrong direction because of pressure, fear, or wrong judgment, the most important thing is not to prove ourselves or rush to fix every problem. The first thing is to return to God.

• Returning to the altar means returning to prayer.
• Returning to the altar means returning to worship.
• Returning to the altar means allowing God to adjust our hearts again.
• Returning to the altar means saying, “Lord, I need You to lead me again.”

2. Treasure relationships and do not let quarrels steal the blessing

Genesis 13:8–9

When Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen began to quarrel, Abram did not first protect his own rights. He did not use his position as the elder to pressure Lot. Instead, he said, “Let there be no quarrelling between you and me… for we are close relatives.”

The closer Abram came to God, the more he treasured relationships. He did not allow land to become more important than relationship. He did not allow possessions to become more important than family. He did not allow personal interests to destroy peace.

A person who truly returns to the altar begins to see relationships through God’s eyes.

He no longer only asks, “What can I gain?”

He begins to ask, “How does God want me to treat others?”

Abram was willing to let Lot choose first. This was not weakness; it was faith. He believed that his future was not controlled by Lot’s choice, but by God’s promise.

3. Trust God’s promise and continue to build an altar in the new place

Genesis 13:14–15, Genesis 13:18

Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan because it looked well watered, fertile, and attractive. Yet the Bible also reminds us that this place was near Sodom.

Lot chose by what he saw with his eyes. Abram waited in the promise of God.

After Lot left, God spoke to Abram and told him to lift up his eyes and look north, south, east, and west. God promised to give all the land he saw to him and to his descendants.

Later, Abram moved his tents and came to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron. There, he built an altar to the Lord.

This is very important. Abram did not only build an altar at Bethel. When he came to a new place, he built an altar again. This shows that worship was not only one experience in his past; it became the way he lived.

Bethel was the place where he returned to the first altar.
Mamre at Hebron was the place where he continued to build an altar in a new season.

Today, God also reminds us: do not only worship Him in the past. In every new environment, new responsibility, and new season, continue to let God take first place.

Summary

Genesis 13 shows us a clear spiritual path:

• Return to the altar and let your heart be realigned with God.
• Treasure relationships and do not let quarrels steal the blessing.
• Trust God’s promise and continue to build an altar in the new place.

Lot chose the plain that looked best to his eyes. Abram chose to remain before God.

Lot gradually moved closer to Sodom. Abram continued to build altars in the land of God’s promise.

Lot saw a fertile environment. Abram received the promise spoken by God Himself.

Today, God is also calling us to return to Him. A person who draws near to God will increasingly treasure what God treasures. A person who truly returns to the altar will live differently in relationships and in choices.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us through Genesis 13 that the most important thing in life is not how much we gain, but whether we return to You.

Lord, please forgive us. Sometimes we rely on ourselves under pressure. Sometimes we make choices only by what we see. Sometimes we quarrel easily in relationships. Sometimes, even in abundance, we forget the altar.

Please lead us back to the place where we first worshipped You, called on You, and trusted You with a simple heart. Help us also to live openheartedly in our relationships, and not allow competition, personal interests, or fear of loss to steal the blessing You have given us.

Lord, no matter what new season, new responsibility, or new environment You lead us into, help us continue to build an altar there. Help us continue to worship You and let You take first place.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Genesis 13

1 Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord.

5 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. 6 Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.

8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

10 And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

14 And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; 15 for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. 16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 17 Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”

18 Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord.