parting-1. O.f kinsmen (men, brethren), 2. Of kinsmen in a foreign Janel. 3. Of kinsmen by their own hand. II. The CAUSE of this parting. 1. The difficulty of finding sustenance together. 2. The danger of collision if they kept together. III. The MANNER of this parting. 1. After prayer. 2. In peace. 3. With rnag• nunimity on the part of Abram. 4. With meanness on that of Lot. Lessons :-1. It is sad when brethren cannot dwell together in unity. 2. It id better that brethren should sepnrate than quarrel.-W. , Ver. 11.-Lot's unwise clioue. "Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan." To Lot no doubt this seemed but a matter of prudence, n choice of pastnre~, yet it stamped his after life. He was a godly man. We miss the point if Wll tbink of him as. careless. . The lesson is for God's people. At first guided by his uncle, but· time came ·when he must act a.lone. Pastures of Ilethel not sufficient. Strife between the herdsmen. God uses little things to work his will. In every lifo times when choice must be made. Perhaps definite and distinct, e. g. leaving home, or cJ1oice of ii profession ; perhaps less marked, as in the choice of friends and asso· ciates, or the· habits· imperceptibly formed. We must be thus triecl ; neetlfol for 01ir training (James i. 12). A sevenfold blessing "to him that overcometh " (Rev. ii., iii.). I. EVIL OF LOT'S CH(!ICE. He chose the best pasture. Why should he not? The fault lay in•the motive, t~e want of spiritual thought in a secular matter. He bro!rn no positive law, but looked only to worldly good. The evil of Sodom was rlisre• garded. No prayer for .guidance; no thought how he could best serve God (cf. James i. 14). II. EFFECT OF Lo1''S CHOIOE. 1. No real happiness. His soul vexed (2 Pet. ii. 8). His life ; fretting at evil which he had not resolution to escape from. 2. Real injury. His character enervated.' From dwelling in plain came into the city ; fonned connections there.. Irresolute and lingering when warned to flee. His prayer for himself only'. Was saved" as by fire" (1 Cor. iii. 15). We are tried daily, in the valley or oh the mountain. We cannot avoid trials; not good for us ii ,ve could. The one way of safety: ((Seek first the kingdom of God." There is an evil terribly \videspread--'of seeking first the world; thinking not to neglect God, but putting Christianity into comers of the life. What saith the world? Haste to be rich, or great; take thine ease; assert thyself; be.high-spirited. And the customs of society and much of education repeat the lesson. Bat what saith Christ? Look unto me. Not at, stated times, but always. '.l'he cause of much dispeace, of many spiritual sorrows (1 Tim. vi. 10), is want of thoroughness in taking Christ as our guide. Lot was preserved. Will any say, "l ask no more"? "Remember Lot's wife." How narrow the line between his hesitation and her looking back I The grain may sprout through thorns (Matt. xiii. 22), but the thorns are ever growing.-M.
Ver. 12.-Going to Sodom. I. How IT MAY HAVE LOOKED TO LoT. 1. As a matter of business it was good. 2. In its morn! aspects the step wns dangerous. But-3. Doubtless at first Lot did not intend entering the city. And perhaps-4. Lot may have justified his doubtful conduct by hoping that he would have opportunities of doing good to the Sodomites. IL How IT MUST HAVE LOOKED TO THE SODOMITES. It must have-1. Surprised them to see a good man like Lot coming to a neighbourhood so bad. 2. Led them to think adversely of a religion that pl'eferred worldly advantage to spiritual interest. 3. Rendered them impervious to any influence for good from Lot's example. Lessons :-1. It is perilous to go towards Sodom ii one wants to keep out of Sodom. 2. It is useless preaching to Sodomites while gathering wealth in Sodom. -w. -Going towa1:ds Sodom. 1. An inviting j()urney. 2. A gradual journey. 3. A sinful journey, 4. A dangerous journey.-W. THE DOOK OF GENESIS. [rll. XIII. 14-18.