OUR LORD WHO GIVES WISE COUNSEL

Genesis chapter 13 verses 4 -5 says this about Abram's arrival at a place near the towns of Bethel and Ai;

and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the Lord.

Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.

This passage tells of the movement of Abram and his household through the land along with the household of Abram's nephew named Lot who  was travelling with them. 

They came to a place near Bethel and Ai where Abram had previously set up an altar and  here, Abram halted the migration and at his  altar, he called on the name of the Lord.

An interesting spiritual dynamic is suggested in this passage that an altar, once built and used, retains spiritual momentum from previous interactions and so when Abram arrived back the location that he had an altar,  he was able to continue using it in his service and prayer to the Lord.

It was here that Abram sought the counsel of the Lord relating to the conflicts that were beginning to occur between his household and the household of Lot due to the population pressure on the land they were in. 

Here, Abram was able to follow the Lord's counsel and separate from Lot and was able to prosper as the Lord led him.

Bless the Lord who gives wise counsel to those who ask it of Him at the altar of prayer.

Amen.