Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Abram returned to Bethel to the place of the altar which he had made there at the first, and there called on the name of the Lord in worship. His life was marked by prayer and worship, for wherever he pitched his camp he built an altar for the morning and evening sacrifice. When he moved away the altar remained behind as a witness that he had worshiped the living God there. On returning to Bethel he repaired that altar and worshiped God again.
His dealing with Lot at that time displayed a noble, unselfish spirit, in that he waived his own individual rights and preferences. He did this though he was senior in years and superior in relationship, in wealth, in position, and in the divine grant of the whole land to himself. His plea that there be no strife between them because they were brethren meant more than natural kinship. It meant fellowship as worshipers of the true God, teaching that God's children the world over are one family to be governed by love, conciliation, uniform courtesy, and brotherly kindness, preferring one another in honor and doing to others as one wishes to be done. Such love produces unselfish charity which does not seek its own but also regards the interests of others, and would remove half the troubles in homes and churches, while clinging to self and seeking self-advancement reflects the spirit of Satan and brings reproach upon the truth.
Abram returned to Bethel to the place of the altar which he had made there at the first, and there called on the name of the Lord in worship. His life was marked by prayer and worship, for wherever he pitched his camp he built an altar for the morning and evening sacrifice. When he moved away the altar remained behind as a witness that he had worshiped the living God there. On returning to Bethel he repaired that altar and worshiped God again.
His dealing with Lot at that time displayed a noble, unselfish spirit, in that he waived his own individual rights and preferences. He did this though he was senior in years and superior in relationship, in wealth, in position, and in the divine grant of the whole land to himself. His plea that there be no strife between them because they were brethren meant more than natural kinship. It meant fellowship as worshipers of the true God, teaching that God's children the world over are one family to be governed by love, conciliation, uniform courtesy, and brotherly kindness, preferring one another in honor and doing to others as one wishes to be done. Such love produces unselfish charity which does not seek its own but also regards the interests of others, and would remove half the troubles in homes and churches, while clinging to self and seeking self-advancement reflects the spirit of Satan and brings reproach upon the truth.