CANAANITES AT THE RINGSIDE

“And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.” – Genesis 13:7

REFERENCE:

GENESIS 13:5-15

Have you ever had to fight someone close to you; a sibling, a friend, a roommate or a loved one? Very likely so. It is never a pleasant experience, especially when it gives opportunity to those who once esteemed that relationship to laugh at you, mock your relationship and the godly values you hold.

Abram was presented with an opportunity to fight his nephew and to be greedy. He had brought Lot up in business, and with his business prospering, the expansion of both their businesses created a rift between their staff, who were Canaanites and Perizzites, and a fight broke out. There was bitter dispute over grazing land for their cattle. It got so heated that they got their bosses involved, each party so sure that their boss would take on the fight from where they stopped and for once, settle the issue of business supremacy and who has a right to that portion of land.

When Abram and Lot heard about this, they must have felt how we would feel in such a situation – “My business interest! What betrayal? I refuse to be cheated. I will fight for my rights. No one will bully me or take advantage of my gentle nature. Etc.” At this point, their herdsmen have pulled their chairs and gotten themselves ringside seats to watch the face-off between two business giants. Abram however looked beyond his business interests and rights, to the fraternal relationship between him and Lot. But above and beyond these, he must have asked himself, “How would these Canaanites see us? They know we are brothers, what would we be saying to them about the strength of our brotherly bond? They also know we are worshippers of God, what would we be saying to them about our God?” For these reasons, Abram refused to fight. He would not get into a fight because Canaanites were at the ringside.

Canaanites represent the unsaved world; sinners are alienated from God. They are in our schools and offices. They live next to us and we often ride with them in the bus and trains. They watch our lives, they hear us talk about God, they take note of our relationships with our spouses, kids and friends. So, when there is a misunderstanding in your relationships and you behave nasty and out of character, you pass the wrong message across to them. People are watching you more than you know. Paul and Silas were in jail with ungodly people (Canaanites). Acts 16:25 says, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” The prisoners were listening to them, watching how they would handle that dark moment, if they would blame each other or even God for their predicament. But Paul and Silas passed the test; they held the respect of the ‘Canaanites.’

Is there a friend you no longer talk to? Do you know that Canaanites take note? Is there an engagement you had on social media where you posted nasty things about another believer? Is there a brother that you cheated in a business deal? Have you given Canaanites reasons to question your faith and love? Jesus said, “You are the world’s seasoning, to make it tolerable. If you lose your flavor, what will happen to the world?” Canaanites in the ringside are watching you. They have heard you are a Christian, but are you like Christ? Can your neighbours and colleagues look at you and say, “Truly, this is a child of God?”

Before Enoch was translated, he had a testimony that he pleased God (Hebrews 11:5). What is your testimony amongst the Canaanites? May every Canaanite waiting to see you fight, dishonor God, lose a beneficial relationship and destroy your name and testimony, be disappointed, in Jesus’ name.

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL STUDY

Matthew 5:13-16, Romans 8:19 & Hebrews 11:5

REFLECTIONS

Watch how you live your life. How do you behave to others? Do you allow worldly possessions get between you and your brother? Are you puffed up, are you unforgiving, do you seek your own way, not caring about how it affects those around you? Your life is always on display for others to see; what is the view from the Canaanites’ ringside?