Lesson 25

Genesis 13–14

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. As you prayerfully study the scriptures, you can learn through the Spirit and receive personal revelation that meets your needs and circumstances.

Begin your scripture study with prayer.

What do you do when you are faced with temptations? How do you keep yourself free from evil influences?

As you watch the video “Stay within the Lines” (5:10), listen as Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles uses a sports analogy to encourage youth to stay within the “lines of worthiness” the Lord has drawn (see Jeffrey R. Holland, “We Are All Enlisted,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2011, 45).

Family Conflict

What are some situations that could cause conflict in a family?

In today’s lesson, we will see how Abram responded when conflict and disagreement arose in his family. Remember that Abram was the prophet whose name was later changed to Abraham (see Genesis 17:5, 15). Look for principles from Abram’s example that can help you avoid or resolve conflict in your relationships with family members and others.

Abram and Lot

In Genesis 13:1–5 we read that Abram, Lot, and their families left Egypt with all their flocks and possessions and journeyed back to the land of Canaan.

Read Genesis 13:6–7, and look for a disagreement that arose between the herdsmen of Lot and the herdsmen of Abram after they arrived in Canaan.

The phrase “the land was not able to bear them” meant that there were not enough resources to sustain all the animals by keeping them together.

What do you think would be a good solution to this situation?

A Peacemaker

Read Genesis 13:8–9, looking for what Abram suggested they should do to resolve the problem.

1. Answer the following questions:

• What did Abram suggest?

• What do Abram’s actions teach us about being a peacemaker?

Others’ Interests

One truth about being a peacemaker you may have identified from Genesis 13:8–9 is that being a peacemaker may require us to place others’ interests above our own.

2. Please respond to the following:

• Describe someone you know who, like Abram, is good at putting others’ interests above his or her own.

• What does this person do to be a peacemaker? How have you been influenced by his or her example?

Lot’s New Home

We read in Genesis 13:10–11 that Lot chose to live in the more fertile, well-watered area of Canaan known as the plain of Jordan. After Lot made this decision, he and Abram took their families and parted ways.

How did Abram’s unselfishness bless his family and help them resolve and avoid conflict?

Read Genesis 13:12–13, looking for what Lot did when he got to his new home.

Sodom and Gomorrah

When Lot arrived at his new home, he “pitched his tent toward Sodom” (see Genesis 13:12). One meaning of the word toward is “by” or “near.” You will learn later what Lot experienced because of his decision to “[pitch] his tent toward Sodom.”

You may be familiar with the names Sodom and Gomorrah. These two cities were located in the plain of Jordan and have become synonymous with evil and immorality because of the wickedness of their people.

Try to locate these two cities on the map “Canaan in Old Testament Times.”

Hebron

In Genesis 13:14–18 we read that after Lot departed with his family, the Lord promised Abram all the land that he could see as an inheritance for his posterity. This blessing came after Abram showed his willingness to place the needs of others before his own. Abram then traveled with his family to a part of Canaan known as Hebron.

Read Genesis 13:18, looking for what Abram did when he arrived at his new home and how his action showed his commitment to God.

Decisions

Think about all the decisions you have made so far this week.

3. Answer the following questions:

• What are some of these decisions?

• Which of these decisions would you say are important? Which would you categorize as small or insignificant?

Consequences of Lot’s Decision

You may remember from Genesis 13:12 that Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom.” This choice had serious consequences for Lot and his family.

We read in Genesis 14:1–10 that four local kings united their forces and attacked several cities (including Sodom and Gomorrah).

Read Genesis 14:11–12, looking for who was captured when Sodom was attacked and conquered.

Lot’s Capture

We read in Genesis 14:13–16 that when Abram learned of Lot’s capture, he gathered and armed his servants and pursued the armies. He caught up with them, and during the ensuing battle, Abram and his allies freed the captives.

To learn what happened next, as recorded in Genesis 14:17–21, answer the following questions.

Quiz 1

1. According to verses 17–18, who came out to meet Abram? Please select all that apply.

   1. All the high priests

   2. Melchizedek, king of Salem

   3. The king of Sodom

   4. The pharaoh

2. What did Melchizedek offer Abram? (See verse 19.)

   1. A blessing

   2. His own city

   3. Tithing

3. What did the king of Sodom offer Abram? (See verse 21.)

   1. All the gold and silver from the king of Sodom’s treasury

   2. All the goods of the people of Sodom that had been taken by their enemies

   3. All the servants and prisoners held captive by their enemies

Abraham’s Response

Read Genesis 14:22–23, and look for Abram’s response to the king of Sodom. Notice the phrase “from a thread even to a shoelatchet” (verse 23). Abram avoided even the smallest part of a reward.

How would Abram’s acceptance of a reward from the wicked king, even one of very little value, have been like giving in to a small temptation? What lesson can you learn from Abram’s response?

Abraham’s Example of Staying True to God

From Abram’s interaction with the king of Sodom recorded in Genesis 14:22–23 we can learn the following truth: Resisting evil influences, regardless of how small, helps us stay true to God and free from sin.

To better understand this principle, complete the following statements:

• Your friend says he or she is going to copy math homework from a friend only once. To resist evil influences, you should …

• A family member chooses to watch an inappropriate television program or movie. To resist evil influences, you should …

A Goal to Resist Temptations

Ponder what sins or temptations the adversary may be trying to convince you are not very serious. Set a goal for how you will resist and turn away from those sins or temptations.

Melchizedek

Melchizedek Blesses Abram

Gift of Walter Rane

The Melchizedek Priesthood was not always called by its current name. Before Melchizedek’s day, it was known as “the Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God” (D&C 107:3).

Read Genesis 14:26, 33, 36 in the Joseph Smith Translation, which can be found in the appendix of the Latter-day Saint edition of the King James Version of the Bible. You may want to mark what these verses teach about Melchizedek.

The Power of the Priesthood

In addition to teaching more about the high priest Melchizedek, Genesis 14:25–40 in the Joseph Smith Translation also teaches about the priesthood that was named after him.

Read Genesis 14:30–31 in the Joseph Smith Translation, looking for what the power of the priesthood can do. The phrase “ordained after this order” (Joseph Smith Translation, Genesis 14:30 [in the Bible appendix]) refers to those who have been ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood.

The Power to Act in God’s Name

We can learn from Genesis 14:30–31 in the Joseph Smith Translation that the Melchizedek Priesthood gives men the authority to act in God’s name.

4. How have you or someone you know been blessed because of a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder? What did that experience teach you about God and His power?

Identified Truths

The following truths were identified in this lesson:

• Being a peacemaker may require us to place others’ interests above our own.

• Resisting evil influences, regardless of how small, helps us stay true to God and free from sin.

• The Melchizedek Priesthood gives men the authority to act in God’s name.

Take some time to review these truths. How can they influence your choices in the next few days? How can they influence your choices in the months or years ahead?

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) b, c; (2) a; (3) b