Genesis 13:1 Commentary and Bible Study

Abram now left Egypt where his wife Sarai had almost been lost because of his dishonesty. He had the promises of God, that God would protect him and preserve him and give him a great seed and make him a blessing, yet he felt that he had to solve a great problem his own way, and, fearing Pharaoh, he lied about his wife. Even so God did preserve them and he came out with his faith that much stronger, and we read here that he heads into the south of Palestine. He was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. The journey was conducted in stages. He took some time, we presume, to return to his original starting point and his flocks and herds increased, possibly by trade and not only by the wealth that he brought out of Egypt; he was increased greatly. This is remarkable because it is really the fulfilment of the promise of God. God was encouraging Abram by blessing him with great growth in substance to build up his trust, a growth in substance that far outstripped anything he would have received from Pharaoh and anything he really could normally have obtained by trading, so that he is described here as very rich. But it didn't turn his head. He continued to live as a nomad and to move about with no settled place which is what God had commanded him to do. He didn’t count his money and his wealth and settle with it, and prosper himself in a way God had not intended. He continued the journeyings.