9. Seperation Abraham & Lot -ابراہیم اور لوط کی جدائی 

Abraham was now living in the Promised Land. He did not always stay where he first entered the land. He also wanted to know what the land looked like elsewhere. So he moved his tents every now and then. But everywhere he set up an altar to thank and honor God.

His nephew Lot, with his family and his animals, was always with Abraham. But sometimes it was difficult to find a piece of land with enough grass for so many animals. Other people also lived in the land, who had their own pastures. They found it troublesome that Abraham and Lot came to live with them with so many animals. The shepherds of  Abraham and Lot who cared for the flocks  quarreled with one another. They all wanted a larger piece of land for the animals. Then Abraham said to Lot: “It is not good for us to quarrel about the land. We should not always stay together, but each choose a piece of land in a different place where there is enough room for our own animals. Then we will go and live there. “If you go to the left, I will go to the right, and if you go to the right, I will go to the left.” Lot thought that was a good idea.

Was everything quiet then? No, for one day someone came running and said to Abraham: "There is war in Sodom where your cousin lives. The kings have been taken captive. Some who fled have drowned. They have taken Lot, his wife and his family, and his shepherds captive and taken them to a distant land." Abraham became very angry when he heard that. He formed an army of the shepherds and servants who lived in his tents to liberate his cousin Lot and those who belonged to him.  There were also helpers who lived in the surrounding of Abraham. It was quite a large army.

They were able to free Lot and his family, but also other people from Sodom who had been taken captive. Moreover Abraham was able to take back the stolen goods. What a glorious victory!
The king of Sodom was also freed. He knew that a king who won was allowed to keep the spoils (treasures). That was how it was done in those days. The spoils were the belongings of the people they had captured or killed. Kings became rich from that. The king of Sodom was very happy that Abraham had saved him and his people. He said: “Give the people from Sodom back to me, but you can have the goods.”

But Abraham did not want those goods. “I only want compensation for what all those people ate from my foodstock. The men from my circle who helped me may have a share of the spoils. The spoils (treasures) belong to God! I do not want people to say ‘I have made Abraham rich’.” Abraham wanted to receive his wealth only from God. When Abraham said this, he raised his hand; that meant he swore it (an oath)!

This king-priest brought bread and wine for Abraham. Together they stood there in the Promised Land and partook of the Lord's Supper. It was a prophecy to the distant descendants of Abraham: Jesus!

Abraham gave this wondrous person “tithes.” That was a tenth part of the treasures of victory.

It means: " You gave me the victory. Thank you, God, for everything You do for me."

QUESTIONS......

🧠 Reading Comprehension (What happened?)
1. Why did a quarrel arise between Abraham's shepherds and Lot's shepherds?

2. What choice was Lot allowed to make, and which piece of land did he choose? Why did he decide that this was the best option?

3. What did God promise Abraham after Lot had left?

4. How did Abraham save his nephew Lot from captivity? Did he have a modern army?

5. Who was Melchizedek, and what deed did he perform for Abraham after the victory?

🤔 Reflecting on Choices (Heart and Attitude)
6. Do you choose the most beautiful or the best? Lot chose the land that looked the most beautiful at the time (near Sodom). Abraham let Lot choose first. Do you think Lot made the best choice for the future? Why or why not?

7. Resolving a Conflict: Abraham did not want to quarrel with his family. He tried to separate. What would you do if you got into a quarrel with a brother, sister, or friend about something you both want?

8. Trust: Abraham did not give the spoil (the treasures) to the king of Sodom, because he said: "I do not want people to say: I made Abraham rich." He was counting on God to make him rich. Is it sometimes difficult to wait for what God gives, instead of grabbing something yourself that causes quick wealth or success?

💰 On tithes and gratitude (Genesis 14:20)
9. What is a tithe? Abraham gave one in ten parts of the spoil (treasures) to Melchizedek. If you have won 10 candies, how much do you give as a tithe? (Answer: 1).
10. Why did Abraham give? He could have kept the treasures himself; he had fought and won. Why did he give it away anyway? (To show that the victory came from God and not from his own strength).
11. Showing gratitude: Abraham gave the tithe before he knew what God would do for him the next day. Can you also give something (time, toys, attention) to God or to others, purely to say: "Thank You for what You have already done"?

🎨 Creative processing questions
• Draw the choice: Draw Lot's land (green, water, cities) and Abraham's land (mountains, tents). Which landscape appeals to you the most?

• Role-play: Act out the moment Abraham has won Lot. The king of Sodom says: "Keep the treasures." How would you react if you were Abraham?

• Prayer moment: Name three things you are grateful for this week (for which you would actually like to give a "tenth" or a special thank you to God).