A Story of God and All of Us - By Roma Downey Page 0,4

settles over the group. Not only is Lot's wife mocking Abram, she is also mocking God. She should

apologize, or at the very least ask forgiveness. But she's not done.

13

"This can't go on," she tells Abram, before giving her husband a hard look.

"Tell him what we've decided."

Lot is uncomfortable. He loves Abram like a father and cannot bear the thought of disappointing him. He swallows hard before saying what he must say. "Abram," he mutters hesitantly. "There are too many of us. And there just isn't enough land."

"But the Lord will provide," Abram replies, trying his best to appear upbeat.

"Have faith!"

"In a God we cannot see?" laughs Lot's wife.

Abram pretends he doesn't hear those words. He looks into Lot's eyes.

His nephew will not meet Abram's gaze. "It's time to go our separate ways,"

Lot tells him.

Abram is horrified. "No. We must stay together."

Lot is about to speak, but his wife interrupts. "Stay and starve, old man? Stay and watch our shepherds kill each other over a blade of grass?"

This time Abram acknowledges Lot's wife, but only with a steely gaze. As loving as Abram can be, and despite his gentle reputation, he is also a hard man. Lot's wife withers under his glare, and her cutting tongue is instantly silent.

"Uncle," Lot says reluctantly. "We're leaving. We have no choice."

"But where will you go?" Abram says pleadingly.

"To the greener pastures, closer to Sodom."

"Lot, that is a cruel and wicked city. Those people have turned their backs on God."

"But at least they are not starving," Lot's wife snarls.

Abram stands alone on the top of a hill from which he can see miles in every direction. He is building an altar to honor God. Stone by stone, he builds, lost in the quiet meditation of labor. He sees the tents of his people in the half-empty valley below, the flocks settling in for the night, the great forests. He also sees Lot and his tribe in the distance snaking

14

their way to the east, toward Sodom. It is a sad moment. The great land is bathed in the red light of dusk. Abram sighs. He loves this Promised Land that God has provided for him, and he revels in its many beauties. God spoke to him again after Lot's departure. Abram had listened like an obedient servant. "Lift up your eyes from where you are, and look north and south, east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever."

Abram did as God told him, and building the altar for offering a sacrifice is a way to give thanks. But there is still a great deal of conflict in Abram's heart.

He is deeply troubled by the departure of Lot, and of Sarai's recent use of fertility idols once again. Doubts about his leadership torment him daily.

To Abram, being chosen by God had seemed like a blessing. But now he knows it also means struggle. Abram places one last stone at the foot of the altar and then kneels in prayer. Weeks pass, and Abram continues to miss Lot. One day while in prayer at the altar, he gazes down upon the valley again, and is surprised to see a lone figure walking his way. It appears to be Lemuel, Lot's shepherd. And while he's still far away, Abram can see that he's limping and clutching his side.

Abram races down the mountain and walks quickly to the approaching figure. Lemuel staggers toward him, close to exhaustion. His clothes are in tatters. Dried blood covers his skin. His face is bruised and dirty. When he sees Abram, he stops and sways on his feet, as if about to collapse.

"What happened?" asks a stunned Abram.

"We didn't stand a chance. There were so many of them." Lemuel groans, sinking to the ground. "We got caught in a fight between local warlords. My flock is gone. Every last one."

Abram takes his goatskin from around his neck and hands it to the shepherd, who greedily drinks the water. He waits until Lemuel is through before asking his next question. He stares deeply into Lemuel's eyes, not once pausing to look away.

Lemuel knows what is on Abram's mind, and as he hands back the

15

goatskin his voice becomes choked in grief. "Lot is alive," he says. "But he is their prisoner."

Abram is horrified.

"He helped me escape," Lemuel continues, "so that I could find you and

come beg for your help."

Hagar, bright with youth and vitality, arrives with a bowl of water. She drips a cloth in the