The next morning Abram asked Lot to take a walk with him, and as they together climbed a hill near by, Abram told his nephew of the quarreling among their men, and then he said something like this: “You see, we have now so many cattle that no one part of the country can give us all the pasture that we need. I had hoped that we might always live together, but I see that we cannot do so and have peace and right feeling among our servants.” Now, of course, you know that Abram might then have said to his nephew, “God has promised all of this land to me and to my children, so it is only right that I should first choose the part of the land in which I wish to live, and that is what I intend to do now.” But Abram knew a better way than that. Open your Bibles and read with me Genesis 13:8, 9. So you see, Abram gave Lot the first choice, and as they stood together on the summit of the hill they had climbed, Lot could look to the north, west, and south and could see few pasture lands, but many rugged mountains and rather barren valleys. But to the east he saw the well-watered plain of the Jordan, where the grass grew rich and green, and he said as he pointed that way, “I will take the plain of the Jordan.” Very soon they separated, Lot and his family, with his servants and cattle, going down into the Jordan valley, while Abram journeyed south over the mountains until he came to Hebron. What did Lot really choose? Not simply pasture lands for his flocks. He chose selfishness and greed, for he took the best for himself when he knew his uncle had the right to it. He chose wicked people to be his neighbors and friends, for there were cities in the valley. Listen to what the Bible says about the people in a city near which Lot pitched his tents. (Read verses 12 and 13.) But what of Abram? What did he choose? He chose unselfishness and generosity, and he gained something better than fine pasture for his cattle, for he knew that he had pleased his heavenly Father, and soon he heard the voice of God speaking to him, and saying (read verses 14, 15, 18). If possible, have the memory text written upon cards in attractive form, with initial letter illuminated. Give one of these cards to each pupil, and with it these statements and the question to be answered next Sunday: This is a rule that Jesus gave to his disciples. It has been called the Golden Rule. Can you think of any reason why it should have such a name as that? PUPIL’S BOOK FOR WORK AND STUDY Show the children the picture for this lesson and explain that it is taken from a photograph of the Jordan valley as it appears to-day, and shows part of what Lot saw when he made his choice. LESSON 10 THE CORRELATED LESSON