As we continue in the study of Abram’s walk with the Lord, he is coming out of Egypt, an event that was repeated in the exodus of the children of Israel (Exodus 12:33-38) and also in the life of Jesus (Matthew 2:19-21). Many scholars conclude that Abram returned to the Promised Land in a spirit of self-condemnation, as a backslider and a repentant sinner. Nevertheless, none of these things are even suggested in the text. Abram returned, having found that the Lord was with him, throughout his efforts to support his household. The Lord even humbled the king of Egypt, in order to keep him from dishonoring the marriage bond between Sarai and Abram.
Moreover, he kept Abram safe through it all, perhaps even among the most powerful men in the world! Through it all, the Lord was tested by Abram, as much as he was tested by the Lord. While in Egypt, Abram came to understand that the Lord would keep the promises he made, concerning him and the land, to which the Lord had taken him. Finally, Abram returned to the land of promise without a single rebuke from the Lord.
So, Abram left Egypt with Sarai, his wife, and his entire household. The king had restored Sarai to her husband, and Pharaoh commanded Abram to leave Egypt and gave him safe passage (Genesis 12:17-20). Even so, Abram left Egypt a wealthier man, in that the Lord had blessed him, while he dwelt there (Genesis 12:16). We are also told that Lot was with him! Nevertheless, we know nothing of Lot’s experiences, from the time he and Abram left Hebron (Genesis 12:5) to this time (Genesis 13:1). So, Lot must have come into the land of Canaan with Abram and left for Egypt with him, as well. Both he and Abram were very rich in cattle, and, presumably, silver and gold too (Genesis 13:2, cp. 13:5-6).
The mention of Lot brings to mind, what the Lord had originally commanded Abram, namely, to leave his home, his kindred and his father’s house (Genesis 12:1). Why, then, did Abram take Lot with him, when he left Haran (Genesis 12:5)? I believe, we learn two things, from what we are told in the text. First, Abram, was 75 years old, when he left Haran (Genesis 12:4), but we don’t know Lot’s age. Was he younger or older than Abram? If he was younger, Abram may have considered him an adopted son, but, if he was older than Abram, Lot may have simply gone out with Abram, which seems to be what the text straightforwardly claims. if the latter is true, what could Abram have done, to prevent Lot from traveling with him to the Land of Canaan? If, however, the former is true, then Abram considered Lot to be part of his own household, for he was an adopted son.
Secondly, no matter what we may think of Abram and Lot, traveling together, after the Lord commanded him to leave his father’s house, it seems the Lord treated Abram, as though he were completely obedient. Nothing is mentioned about Abram being disobedient. The Lord simply allowed Lot to leave with Abram without rebuking Abram of error, and I think so should we. Whatever we might conclude about Genesis 12:1 v/s 12:5, Abram and Lot were about to separate at this time.
Abram journeyed from the Negev to Bethel, which was the site of his first settlement in the Promised Land, following his journey from Haran. There, he had built an altar and called upon the Lord, as he had done, when he entered the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:6-7). So, Abram returned to Bethel to call upon the Lord once again (Genesis 13:3-4, cp. 12:8), and this is the first mention of Abram, worshiping the Lord, since the time he left here to go to Egypt. Thus, it is implied that there were no altars built in Egypt, but why should there have been. Neither are we told of any altars built in Ur, when the Lord called or, later, in Haran, when Abram was called a second time. Altars are for time spent with the Lord in the Promised Land. It is here, where the Lord had placed his name (Deuteronomy 12:5-11).
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