Genesis — Chapter 13

AND ABRAM SAID TO LOT: LET THERE BE NO QUARREL, I BESEECH THEE, BETWEEN ME AND THEE, AND BETWEEN MY HERDSMEN AND THY HERDSMEN: FOR WE ARE BRETHREN. — Abram's magnanimity and love of peace. Augustine (Serm. 53): \"Where 'mine' and 'thine' appear, there at once arise all kinds of strife. Where these are not, there peace and charity dwell.\" Ambrose: \"Note how wealth produces strife and quarrels, even among the most amicable brothers and kinsmen. How much had accumulated, and at once concord was dissolved.\"

THE LORD SAID TO ABRAM, AFTER LOT WAS SEPARATED FROM HIM: LIFT UP THY EYES AND LOOK FROM THE PLACE WHERE THOU ART, NORTHWARD AND SOUTHWARD AND EASTWARD AND WESTWARD: ALL THE LAND WHICH THOU SEEST, I WILL GIVE TO THEE AND TO THY SEED FOREVER. — God reveals the Promised Land fully to Abraham only after Lot's departure — for Lot's presence was an impediment. Morally: separation from earthly alliances often precedes the fullness of divine revelation. \"Forever\" = until the end of the world, to be possessed by the spiritual seed, i.e., all believers.