Genesis 13:17 states “Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.” Close scrutiny of this verse reveals certain hidden treasures in it. First God asks Abram to rise from whatever position/state he was. Second God asks Abram to walk and finally God says that I will give the land that Abram sets his feet on to Abram. In contrast to how Abram’s nephew, Lot, got the well watered plain of Jordan, wherein were the grievously wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abram did not choose for himself like Lot did … instead, we see here that God gave to Abram – Abram did not take.
We must be careful to not jump to a cause-and-effect understanding of this Scripture, for God does not say, if your arise and walk, then I will give you the land. The Lord simply says, “Arise, Walk, … for I will give you the land” accentuating the truth that God is Sovereign and he gives as he pleases (1 Corinthians 12:11). We are however commanded to arise and walk, just as Abram was commanded to.
Points to ponder:
God wants to give us what he has in store for us according to his perfect will for each one us, but he does command us to ‘Arise’ – rise from the miry pit of sin (Psalm 40:2) and ‘Walk’ in newness of life (Romans 6:4), by his Holy Spirit, so that we do not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17) and lust after things that on the surface may seem well watered but at the core are wicked. God is telling you and me – Arise, Walk. What is our response?
Genesis 13:17 (KJV)
17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.
