Genesis 13:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Acting upon these principles, the patriarch asserts, “Let there be no quarrel… between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are relatives.” What greater evidence of peace exists than this? It is clear that I previously suggested (Abraham) chose the wilderness over populated land out of love for harmony and tranquility. Notice how, upon learning of the discord among the shepherds, he swiftly seeks to extinguish the impending conflict and resolves the dispute. He, called to instruct all in Palestine in shared wisdom, ought not to provide a trial or be a poor example; rather, through the strength of his gentle spirit, he enlightens them and encourages them to emulate his virtue. “Let there be,” he instructs, “no conflict between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are kin.” The modesty in his words, “Between you and me,” is striking! He addresses him as an equal, as the entire dispute appears to stem from the patriarch’s herdsmen denying Lot’s herdsmen the same rights. Yet, the righteous man conducts himself with gentleness, wishing to convey the depth of his common sense, teaching not only his peers but all future generations to prevent their servants from quarreling, for such conflicts bring dishonor to us. What transpires among them does not reflect solely on them but casts reproach upon us. Should brothers, who share the same nature and kinship, engage in such battles while they ought to guide their servants in humility and wisdom? Those who believe they are above reproach ought to heed this, as they allow their households, in their fondness for them, to commit various injustices against their neighbors, seizing others’ fields and homes, only to favor their own. Let the transgressions be attributed to others, but you become complicit, not just because you relish the outcome and anticipate increased wealth, but also because you failed to prevent the wrong from occurring in the first place. Anyone given the chance to intervene and does not will face equal punishment as the offender. Let us not deceive ourselves; just as we strive to avoid greed and the wrongful gain of riches, let us also guide our families not to engage in such acts. Their wrongdoings do not absolve us; rather, they lead to greater condemnation, for they transgress to please us and, in compromising their own salvation, they risk dragging us down with them. If we are diligent, we can evade such ruin and guide them away from evil pursuits. And do not offer me these feeble justifications: what need is there for me? Did I steal? I did not, I know nothing—I was not involved in the wrongdoing. Such reasoning is merely a façade, an empty defense. To demonstrate that you are not an accomplice, rectify your actions, console the offended party, and return what has been taken. In doing so, you will absolve yourself of blame and help the offender recognize that his actions were not of your encouragement, while also helping the distressed individual overcome their sorrow from the loss. “Let there be no strife,” therefore declared Abraham, “between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are kin.” Observe the meekness! Observe the humility within Abraham! Reflect upon what follows, and understand the full extent of his noble spirit. How did he resolve a disagreement and eliminate discord?

If you possess greater strength, be cautious that your counterpart does not find themselves weakened by the taunts of the servants. Often, undisciplined servants can create division among kin. It is wiser to separate them to maintain the bond of friendship—two families cannot thrive in one home. Is it not more desirable to part peacefully than to coexist amid discord?

Abraham discerned that the land could not support both he and Lot (Gen. 13:6), as their wealth was too great. It is a societal flaw that the land fails to accommodate the affluent, for their insatiable greed knows no bounds. The wealthier one becomes, the more fervently they pursue acquisition, yearning to expand their property and exclude their neighbors. Was Abraham truly of this disposition? No, for although he had imperfections at the start—where was true perfection before Christ’s coming? He taught, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21). Despite being far from greedy, Abraham graciously offered a choice and, in his righteousness, curtailed the conflict.

“Let there be no strife,” he declared, “between me and thee, and between my shepherds and thy shepherds, for we are men and brothers.” Notably, while Abraham is an uncle to Lot, he refers to him as a brother. The wise man is inclined toward harmony and thus mentions, “For we are men”; all humans share a common nature, conceived and nurtured in the same womb. We are, therefore, akin to brothers bound by a familial bond established by our shared creation from one father and mother, as if we were half-brothers. Since we originate from a rational nature, we ought to foster mutual love rather than harbor animosity. These sentiments reflect the unity of the soul, which, as noted earlier, possesses its reasonable foundation, contrary to the unreasonable senses. This rational essence is also related to the virtues, so the vices and virtues of humanity maintain a fraternal connection. The flesh and soul, from which humankind is formed, are intertwined as if held together by a sacred bond. Consequently, individuals should strive for concord among their parts and cultivate peace. However, no person alone has the power to conquer the flesh; thus came our Peace who unified both into one, abolishing the enmity by His sacrifice, and proclaimed the commandments that create in Himself one new humanity, restoring peace, and reconciling all to God through the cross, extinguishing the hostility therein (Eph. 2:14-16). Hence, the apostle rightly referred to himself as the least of men, for he endured the internal conflict that he could not quell. Ultimately, echoing Solomon’s wisdom on passions, particularly anger, he stated that “the wise is better than the brave, and he who restrains anger is better than the conqueror of a city.” Blessed, therefore, is the one who triumphs over this inner battle—not merely a foreigner but a citizen among the saints and a steward of God, who, while residing on earth, remains untroubled by worldly affairs.

The foremost virtue is obedience. Let us now reflect on the grace embodied in other virtues. St. Abraham found joy in the presence of his nephew, to whom he felt a paternal affection. However, a disagreement arose between the servants of his nephew and his own. Recognizing the inherent discord that arises from servant quarrels, Abraham wisely severed ties of conflict before they could spread like an infectious disease; he chose to avoid cohabitation rather than disrupt mutual agreement. This is what should guide us in similar encounters—eliminate the root of contention. After all, none are stronger than Abraham! His decision was to intervene in the conflicts among the servants rather than disregard them. If you are robust, consider that another may be vulnerable, easily swayed by the chatter of the servants; common laborers often ignite strife among family members. It is preferable to separate to safeguard friendship—one household cannot sustain two families. Is it not indeed better to part amicably than to dwell together in strife?