TEXT:

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’ (Matthew 5:9).

God’s blessing and subsequent prosperity caused strife between the herdsmen of Abraham and Lot (See Genesis 13:5-12). Hostility threatened their family relationship, but through God’s wisdom, Abraham acted as a peacemaker. In Part 1 we studied three principles that will help us to be peacemakers too: by understanding how much God has forgiven you; by not using your age to get your own way; and by emphasising the bond of family. In Part 2, Today’s Teaching focusses on three more principles of a true peacemaker.

1. When you don’t use wealth to get your own way – ‘Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold’ (Genesis 13:2 NLT).

Abraham had far more than Lot, therefore his needs were greater. Surely Lot should have realised that. It’s sad when Christians use wealth to try to get their own way in a church, but such action will only create division rather than unity. The Bible warns against showing partiality towards the rich at the expense of the poor, because the rich can abuse the legal process and exploit the poor (See James 2:1-8).

Abraham realised God meant what He said, ‘Fear not Abraham, I am your shield and your exceeding great reward’ (Genesis 15:2). Although God said that at a later date, it was clear Abraham only wanted God’s blessing of wealth, for he turned down the King of Sodom’s offer of the spoils of war saying, ‘I have raised my hand to the Lord … that I will take nothing … lest you should say, “I have made Abraham rich”’ (Genesis 14:22-25). The Bible says, ‘Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy’ (1 Timothy 6:17).

Abraham’s son Isaac faced a similar situation because the Philistines envied his prosperity, fearing he would become too powerful (See Genesis 26:15-33). As Isaac unblocked the wells Abraham had dug, the Philistines said the water was theirs. Abimelech claimed not to have known about the situation but wanted to make a covenant with Isaac to end the strife. Instead of fuelling the dispute, Isaac sent him away in peace. That same day, Isaac’s men brought the news they had found water. Blessing will always follow those who strive for peace.

2. When you are willing to give someone else first choice of what is really yours – ‘Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left’ (Genesis 13:9 NLT).

God gave the land to Abraham not Lot. Abraham didn’t say, “This is all mine!” He simply said to Lot, “You choose and I’ll go in the opposite direction to you.” He was willing to move to accommodate Lot’s choice. I don’t think Abraham’s herdsmen were impressed with his gesture, but they later discovered he had made the right decision. Abraham continued to prosper, but Lot ended up living in a cave with all his possessions gone. The Bible says, ‘It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything’ (Proverbs 11:24 TLB).

This selfish world will never really understand God’s principles of giving, but Abraham did.  As a result, he prospered even more and God reminded him of His promise, ‘Open your eyes, look around. Look north, south, east, and west. Everything you see, the whole land spread out before you, I will give to you and your children forever. I’ll make your descendants like dust—counting your descendants will be as impossible as counting the dust of the Earth’ (Genesis 13:14-16 MSG).

3. When the peace you have made in the past, saves someone’s life in the future – ‘Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people’ (Genesis 14:14-16).

Abraham and Lot parted company as friends and family, so when news came that Lot had been taken captive, Abraham sprang into action. He put his own life and those of all his servants at risk, all because he had made peace with Lot. He elevated the status of Lot from nephew to brother. Abraham was saying, “It’s as if my brother Haran had been taken captive.” He victoriously returned home with Lot and all the others, plus everything else that had been stolen. The peace between Abraham and Lot saved hundreds of lives and countless possessions.

Who knows what the end will be when there is reconciliation between family and friends?

Paul implored Euodia and Syntyche to settle their differences (See Philippians 4:2). He also rebuked the Corinthian Christians because their indifference to fellow members had created schisms within the church (See 1 Corinthians 1:10).

Jesus said, ‘By this all will know that you are My disciples if you have love one to another’ (John 13:35). Forgiveness deals with the past and love will navigate us through to the future.

Being a peacemaker means you will do the things that make for peace. Try it!