Separation: Abram & Lot

00:00:00 Speaker 1: This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human. 00:00:04 Speaker 2: Previously on The Chosen People. Abram and Lot were exhausted after overseeing the grueling sojourn south through the notoriously treacherous desert called the Negev. A devastating famine had swept through the land. It compelled their band of expatriates to carry their wealth on the backs of donkeys and their treasures on the humps of camels until they were eventually forced to enter the lions' and vipers' territory on the long, barren desert road to Egypt. 00:00:39 Speaker 3: Abram! 00:00:39 Speaker 4: Abram! 00:00:40 Speaker 1: What did I tell you? 00:00:41 Speaker 5: No, no, don't look over. But listen carefully. 00:00:44 Speaker 3: That's the fifth time I've caught them staring today. 00:00:48 Speaker 5: That's all right. If I tell them she's my wife, they'll kill me. But if I tell them she's my sister... They'll probably spare me. 00:01:00 Speaker 3: Yeah, not to mention, we'd probably benefit from any potential suitors Sarah might have. 00:01:09 Speaker 4: Abram, you would tell a half-truth and deny me the protection of my husband? Lie to spare yourself and ship me off to an Egyptian warlord? 00:01:22 Speaker 5: Abram, who is Sarai to you? I beg forgiveness. Sarai is my wife. Just as your spies have surely told you, the gossip is true. I was afraid of what would happen to me if a man desired my wife. 00:01:45 Speaker 2: Abram felt rebuked by Pharaoh's words, by God's words, and knew that despite his assuredness that he was doing what he thought was right, he never should have left the land he had been promised. His mistakes had almost cost him and Sarai their integrity and their lives. 00:02:05 Speaker 1: I love you, Abram. And I always will. 00:02:08 Speaker 3: You've always been a bit of a brother to me. And you're everything an older brother should be. Your sense of duty and loyalty are unmatched. 00:02:18 Speaker 1: When I look back on my life, I. 00:02:21 Speaker 3: Want to feel like I did something of significance. That I achieved something that no one else has done before. 00:02:31 Speaker 2: Lot pinched the bridge of his nose, a futile attempt to stave off the headache that had been building since they left Egypt. His men's constant grumbling had become a persistent drone, amplified by the slow, torturous pace of their journey through the desert. So large had he and Abram's caravans become that they were forced to move through the miserable wilderness in stages. He guessed that even a tortoise could have outpaced them. and if they had thought resources were scarce during the famine and then again in the desert, returning to Canaan was nothing but a disappointment. Lot was shaken by their experience in Egypt. Being rebuked by Pharaoh bruised his ego, and now they were forced to return to the place between Bethel and Ai, where they had first settled in Canaan. They were not exactly welcomed back with open arms from their neighbors. The Canaanites and Perizzites had barely survived the famine in their region. If they had been indifferent to Abram and Lot's people before the famine, they had turned downright hostile at their return. It certainly didn't help that their numbers had tripled, straining the resources of the land past their limit. The hill country had already been limited in its ability to provide the flocks. As Lot surveyed the expanse, he realized how much famine had devastated the already limited region. Lot then considered the riches. Their camp was laden with silver and gold from the Egyptians, gifts that would have been Sarai's dowry. Abram considered them bitter reminders of his deceit, but Lot refused to assign such sentiments to the fortune that had made him a very rich man. Their accumulated wealth made them easy targets for raids from their aggressive neighbors. So, Everyone was on edge between being on their guard for any threats and squabbling over watering holes and grazing pastures, especially Lot. Lot's camp buzzed with unrest. His herdsmen, wearied and wary, approached him with grievances. 00:04:39 Speaker 6: So, you see, Master, this is the fourth time we've caught one of Abram's shepherds herding our goats away from the grazing land. 00:04:47 Speaker 5: Right, right, right. So ten times, Master. And And there's not enough to go around as it is. Abram's men are getting greedy. They think they're more important than us. 00:05:00 Speaker 7: Lot, you see, it's just as I was telling you this morning. Your uncle overreacts. His high opinion of himself trickles down to his men. He may be content to rot here and feel guilty about what happened in Egypt, but in the meantime, he will drive our resources into the ground. 00:05:18 Speaker 2: Lot's headache flared as his wife continued, her criticism relentless. She never understood their hasty departure from Egypt and resented Sarai's now withdrawn demeanour. Edith's constant meddling felt like a thorn in Lot's side. 00:05:34 Speaker 7: And I'll tell you another thing, Lot. I suspect our flocks have intermingled in these tight quarters. Boy, weren't you just saying that to your father as you came to our tent? Tell me, Shepard, how have you been tracking what is ours? 00:05:47 Speaker 5: My lady. 00:05:48 Speaker 6: We're doing all we can to protect the flocks, but our men are spread thin, taking on watches outside and inside the camp. We're watching for more than just Abrams shepherds. We've fended off a couple of raids these last few days. The clansmen from the hill country know that we've got silver and gold. 00:06:09 Speaker 1: We can't afford our wealth to just walk off. 00:06:13 Speaker 3: Listen, do what you can to maintain the defenses at camp, and I'll have a talk with Abram about his men. 00:06:19 Speaker 7: Maintain the defenses? Shouldn't we strengthen them? You wouldn't want something terrible to befall me or our daughters, would you? 00:06:27 Speaker 1: That's enough, Edith! I said I'll take care of it, all right? I know how to take care of this family. 00:06:36 Speaker 3: Thank you for the report, men. I'll send Abram straight away. Report back to me tomorrow. 00:06:41 Speaker 1: You're dismissed. 00:06:43 Speaker 2: Lot rubbed his temples. The headache had at last settled in. His wife sauntered off once the two shepherds filed out of their tent. He wasn't sure how Abram would respond to these allegations, or even what resolution they could come to. They would likely need to move on from this area before they were in all-out war with the neighbouring clans. But then that didn't solve the problem of their two caravans living side by side. They were sure to deplete any area they settled within months, if not weeks. The old Abram, the Abram Lot had known all his life, would have a solution. But with this new Abram who followed a god Lot did not fully understand, with this Abram, Lot was not so sure of what he would do. Lot was eager to step into this legacy Abram spoke about, and when their path had led to such fortune in Egypt, he could not have been more pleased with that turn of events. though it was not the original plan Abram had relayed from his god. As for Lot, he wanted to believe and could believe in a god who could make him so rich, but they seemed to have come up against an obstacle here. He just hoped Abram would be in the right frame of mind to help him solve it. Lot approached Abram, where he kneeled at the altar he had built the last time they settled in this land. Lot made sure to announce his presence with the scuff of his feet against the dusty ground. 00:08:11 Speaker 5: Uncle? Yes, dear nephew. 00:08:14 Speaker 1: I had a matter I wished to discuss with you. 00:08:17 Speaker 2: Abram stood and remained silent. Lot took this as his cue to speak first. 00:08:23 Speaker 1: My herdsmen, they're at it again, Abram. 00:08:25 Speaker 3: They're complaining that your herdsmen are depriving my animals of water and grazing land. 00:08:34 Speaker 5: Has it come to blows this time? 00:08:36 Speaker 1: Not yet, but give it time and it will. I mean, come on. 00:08:41 Speaker 3: We can't afford to have our men fighting each other when we've got enemies all around us. This is a disaster waiting to happen, Abram. 00:08:48 Speaker 1: A total disaster. 00:08:50 Speaker 5: Yes, we must find a way to deal with these clans. 00:08:53 Speaker 1: Deal with them? Deal with them? 00:08:55 Speaker 5: Perhaps we can move about and. 00:08:57 Speaker 7: How? 00:08:58 Speaker 1: We can't match them if they raise an army, Abram. 00:09:00 Speaker 5: A truce? 00:09:02 Speaker 3: Please, a truce isn't going to happen unless they get something out of it. Maybe we need to think of some sort of alliance. You know, my daughters will be of age soon if you get my drift. 00:09:14 Speaker 5: Lord, we've seen how these clans treat their people. They sanction such cruelty in their warfare. And the worship of their vengeful gods involves human sacrifice and other unsavory acts. I'm not so sure we should... compromise our ways. 00:09:33 Speaker 1: Our ways? 00:09:34 Speaker 5: What ways, Abram? 00:09:36 Speaker 1: What are you talking about? 00:09:37 Speaker 5: To assimilate into their culture. 00:09:39 Speaker 1: This God you're following, he's got no written texts, no priests, nothing! 00:09:44 Speaker 5: We are following the God who led us here, and. 00:09:47 Speaker 1: We're just out here making it up as we go along. I mean, what are we even doing here, Abram? 00:09:57 Speaker 5: As we obey and follow him, I beginning to peel back the layers of this God he's still a mystery to me but I know these tribal gods bring out the worst in people while the God I'm following brings out the best I can't bind myself to them lot but. 00:10:16 Speaker 3: What are we supposed to do Our men are at each other's throats, Abram. And we can't agree on anything. 00:10:22 Speaker 1: It's like a bad fever dream. 00:10:26 Speaker 5: Tensions are high. It seems that there are quarrels to settle every other day. And our herds are only getting thinner. The land never fully recovered from the famine. It cannot sustain us both. Not for much longer, anyway. What are you suggesting? We must separate. Separate? 00:10:46 Speaker 6: What? 00:10:47 Speaker 1: What are you talking about separate? What about the legacy of our families? We left everything behind. Our homes, our friends, our land. And now you're telling me we're just going to split up? Just like that? 00:11:01 Speaker 5: It's not so easy, Lot. I asked you to come with me because you've always been more of a brother than a nephew. With Nahor hundreds of miles away, looking after our father's legacy, you and Sarai are the only family I have left. but we cannot live in strife like this. Look, look at what is before you. 00:11:25 Speaker 2: Abram closed the gap between himself and Lot, clapping a hand on his shoulder as he turned him to see the sweeping vista his raised altar site offered. The Jordan River cut through the circular plain before them, generously watering the lands on either side of its mighty banks. The Jordan flowed into the Salt Sea, and off in the distance, almost due south, they could just make out the shape of the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah on the horizon. So fertile was the river valley that it reminded Abram of their time in Egypt along the Nile. It even stirred memories of a story passed down through their family history of a lush, forgotten garden that had disappeared at the beginning of time. Abram watched as Lot turned to look over their shoulders to the east, toward the great sea. They could not see it because of the rocky foothills that eventually gave way to mountains. The terrain was dry and cracked, and what resources were to be had were hoarded by walled cities and untold numbers of foreign enemies. Lot turned back to the rich plain, and Abram watched his hungry eyes take it all in, presumably calculating the productivity of the land that would now be unburdened from having to share it with Abram. Lot seemed irritable when he first confronted Abram, but all discomfort appeared to be gone now, as Lot had turned positively ravenous, taking in. 00:12:55 Speaker 8: The land before him. 00:12:58 Speaker 2: Abram knew in his heart what Lot's decision would be, before he even asked the question. But he asked regardless. 00:13:06 Speaker 5: What do you think? The whole land is before us, but I will let you decide. Which way will you go? 00:13:13 Speaker 6: You.... 00:13:15 Speaker 1: You would let me choose? 00:13:17 Speaker 5: Me? 00:13:18 Speaker 1: I would. 00:13:21 Speaker 5: If you go to the left, I will go to the right. If you go to the right, I will go to the left. 00:13:29 Speaker 2: It was an effort for Lot to tear his gaze from the more favorable river plain and to look at Abram in genuine surprise. Though his mind had been made up long before this inevitable conversation, Abram still felt the weight the decision would surely bring. In his time praying and waiting to hear from his God by the altar, this idea of separation had been stirred up in his mind. Abram couldn't help but wonder if this was another test. He had not trusted his God when the famine struck the land, leading to disastrous results. 00:14:05 Speaker 5: He was still. 00:14:06 Speaker 2: Navigating the damage it had caused Sarai and was rebuilding her trust. Abram felt more alone than he had in years. Second only to Sarai, his relationship with Lot was the most dear to him, but he was feeling the strain of quarreling between their people and feared that it would undo them. Abram had prayed to his God about how to bring this up with Lot, and to his surprise, Lot suddenly appeared before him. It seemed time to present him with this decision and see what he would choose. Abram had resolved to trust that his God would provide for him and his people regardless of which direction Lot decided to go. To his credit, Lot stuffed down his gluttonous expression and turned to face Abram again. 00:14:55 Speaker 1: But we would be apart? 00:14:58 Speaker 5: Just like that? You will always be my family, Lot. I will abide by your decision. My God has promised me a great nation. And I hope you will still be a part of it. No matter where you settle your tents and herds. 00:15:16 Speaker 3: You honor me by allowing me to take the land of my choosing, uncle. 00:15:20 Speaker 1: Really, you do. 00:15:22 Speaker 3: Since you've offered it to me, I'll take the Jordan Plains for. 00:15:25 Speaker 5: My family and herds. 00:15:26 Speaker 1: That's the direction we'll go. 00:15:28 Speaker 5: So close to Sodom. Are you sure? I think... I. 00:15:34 Speaker 1: Think the proximity of the city would prove useful to me. 00:15:38 Speaker 3: Yeah. 00:15:38 Speaker 8: Yeah. 00:15:39 Speaker 7: Useful. 00:15:40 Speaker 5: Very well. Then I will consider the other directions. Go in peace, Lot. My brother. My friend. 00:15:50 Speaker 2: The two shared an embrace. Abram watched Lot leave, heart aching but resolved. Just before Lot receded from view, Abram shouted back to him. 00:16:02 Speaker 6: Lot! 00:16:03 Speaker 8: Lot turned. 00:16:05 Speaker 2: Worry wrinkled the top of his brow. Had Abram reconsidered? Abram's face shrunk with loving concern. 00:16:13 Speaker 5: Be careful near those cities. I fear the influence of their culture is more dangerous than their spears. 00:16:20 Speaker 2: Lot waved his hand casually. With a dismissive tone, he shouted back to his uncle. 00:16:26 Speaker 3: My mind is a locked vault of integrity, Abram. 00:16:29 Speaker 1: You know this. 00:16:31 Speaker 3: Farewell! 00:16:33 Speaker 2: Lot's departure was a surprising weight off Abram's chest. It was one less voice competing against the small whispers of the god he desperately tried to hear. Soon after their agreement had been struck, Lot did precisely as he had said. He moved his caravan east to follow the Euphrates River until they finally reached and settled outside Sodom. The quarreling had ceased among his men in the absence of Lot's men, but there were still dangers from the neighboring clans, and the land could not support them for much longer. Abram continued to go to the altar he had built and waited each day to hear from God. It was on one of these mornings the same familiar stillness permeated the hill upon which Abram was sitting. Knowing what to expect this time, but still struggling to keep his heartbeat steady, Abram bowed his head and braced himself for the booming voice and all-consuming presence. 00:17:34 Speaker 8: Abram, look around you. Behold the land not only the east, but also the north, south, and west. As I told you before, this is the land I will give to you and your offspring. And it will be yours forever. 00:17:56 Speaker 5: Yes, my God. I remember what you told me. 00:17:59 Speaker 8: Do you believe it, though? I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth... If there was ever anyone who could count up all the dust of the earth, and there is not, then your offspring could also be counted. 00:18:16 Speaker 2: Abram again felt a steadiness, an assuredness come over him. He felt comforted by his God's words, and they pushed back his doubts and fears about an uncertain future. 00:18:28 Speaker 8: You are to get up and walk around this land. I will show you where to go. And what's more, I will give it to you. You will need not take it. I would provide you with everything you need. 00:18:44 Speaker 2: Abram, heartened and empowered by the words of his God, did exactly as he was told. He traveled south until he reached the city of Hebron, where he was surprised to find that they were met by hospitality and great kindness from an Amorite chief named Mamre. An alliance was formed between their two great families, and Abram knew this to be a sign that his God was protecting him and giving him success in the promised land of Canaan. This PrayDog.com production is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents. Steve Katina, Max Bard, Zach Shellevaga and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People, narrated by Paul Colter-Fianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwald, Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland Jr., Rosanna Pilcher, and Mitch Lashinsky. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith. Written by Aaron Salvato, Brie Rosely, and Chris Lashinsky. This is an iHeart Podcast. Guaranteed Human.