Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)

Genesis 13

So Abram and Lot start raking in the moola- we don't know how- maybe selling livestock, but apparently the riches get to such an extent that they run out of room. Too many animals are trying to survive on too little land. And the servants start quarreling.

So to solve the problem they decide- let's go our own ways. This strikes me as sad. An uncle and nephew place greater value in the wealth they've accumulated then in the pleasure of each other's company. Now, I have some uncles who I'd give up wealth to avoid living with- but it seems here that these are people who care about each other, at least to some extent. They've traveled together- Abram tries to do him right by letting him choose where to go- and the ultimate goal is peace. It seems like maybe they've misplaced what is important.

Lot furthers the problem by setting up camp near Sodom. This is the lesson I've always heard from this story. Lot picks the better land and his family is corrupted by the Sodomites. It seems like an emphasis on wealth haunts both these guys before Sodom enters the equation.

An odd aside: After discussing the quarreling of the herdsmen, the following statement occurs-
The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.

As if this is explanation for the quarreling. Is there some struggle going on historically between these two peoples? Could Abram and Lot been mixed up in the politics of these warring folks? Is this concept randomly placed within for some other purpose?

Buckle up gang- we all know where this story is going.

Talk to you tomorrow,
Chip