THE LIGHT OF VISION (5)

“LIFT YOUR EYES now and LOOK from the place where you are – northward, southward, eastward, and westward” – Genesis 13:14b

Abraham advanced in his Walk of Faith with God, by the LIGHT of VISION: “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; for all the land which you SEE I give to you and your descendants forever” (Gen.13:14-15). God had called Abram to move from his native land in Ur to the land of Canaan, with the promise to make of him a great nation. Not knowing exactly where he was going, he obeyed (Gen.12: 1-4). The result: Everything he had was blessed – his flocks and finances (Gen.13:2). Yet, these very blessings led to obstacles that had to be overcome.

Seeking grazing for his flocks, Abram moved about the land and returned to Bethel where he had built an altar when he first entered the promised land. The obstacle came in his relationship with Lot, his nephew, whom God was blessing because of his connection with Abram. They both had so many flocks and servants that they could no longer live close together. Indeed, there arose strife between their herdsmen (vv. 5-7). However, Abraham took the initiative to make peace by giving Lot the first choice of the land (vv.8-9). Lot chose what his natural eyes perceived to be lush fields, which would turn out to be Sodom and Gomorrah (vv.10). Abraham walked with God by faith!

God’s Vision for Abram was revealed only after his relationship with Lot was re-defined: “And the Lord said to Abram, AFTER LOT had SEPARATED from him: “Lift your EYES now and LOOK…” (v.14a). Lot made a choice on outward appearances, rather than divine guidance; a choice that he assumed would make him rich with earthly goods, but caused him to live in the midst of great wickedness; one that ended in disaster. LOT symbolized LUST. For Abram to receive greater clarity regarding the future that God had for him, he had to be separated from LUST! Then, despite what may have seemed like a setback to Abram, the separation from Lot, God appeared to confirm His promise. 

God instructed Abram to LOOK and expect to SEE more than the physical eyes can see. He was supposed to SEE by his spiritual eyes, not just a physical promised land and nation, but a spiritual city of God, inhabited by people of faith. He began to pursue the vision, not just for his lifetime but for future generations that would impact eternity (Heb.11:9-10). A Divine Vision is a vision from God of the future that He has for a person or group of people, which helps to focus faith and set priorities in life: “Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law” (Pro.28:19, ESV). Without following God’s Vision, life is wasted in meaningless pursuits.