By: Obed Pineda
One of the most beloved and despised phrases in the English language is arguably “I told you so.” For the person being validated by the sentence, it holds the canorous ring of victory and it is as sweet nectar upon the lips. For the person who refused to heed the given warning, its sound is as a blackboard being scratched and the bitter taste of shame sours the heart. Indeed it is a phrase that is both esteemed and loathed, depending on whether you are the one expressing it or the one having to listen to it. Yet, it is curious to learn that all this phrase accomplishes is to self-exalt one and humiliate the other. Although it may carry the appearance of harmlessness, in actuality it can be very venomous to both parties involved. For the one who’s advice proved to be correct, it feeds his ego with pride and arrogance. For the one who did not listen, it can fuel him with resentment and content. Because this is so, the wisdom of God speaks out against this entitled and self-righteous attitude cautioning, “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, and He turn away His wrath from him” (Proverbs 24:17-18, emphasis added). There is no question that to say “I told you so,” is an arrogant way to express gladness at another’s downfall. It is not the path of humility for it seeks recognition from man, but it also gives that person a sense of being avenged for being ignored. He who revels in verbalizing that they were right, does not realize that “knowledge puffs up, but love edifies” (1st Corinthians 8:1b, emphasis added). In this spiritual lesson, the apostle Paul describes the spirit of magnanimity. King Solomon elaborates that this is a fact because “he who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends” (Proverbs 17:9, emphasis added). He who genuinely loves a friend does not dwell on whether he was right or not. Instead, the focus for the mature Christian is “to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification” (Romans 15:1-2, emphasis added). Unquestionably, this was the attitude Abraham exhibited in Lot’s hour of need. Abram’s magnanimity initially appeared when he made the tough choice to separate from his nephew Lot, as a means to preserve their relationship (Genesis 13:8). Abram further proved that his priority was truthfully to guard their familial bonds as he selflessly allows his nephew to choose from the land first (Genesis 13:9). This action displays Abram’s magnanimity toward Lot because Jehovah God had given the land to him, but also because Abram had essentially adopted Lot since his father was deceased (Genesis 11:28, 12:4). Therefore, because the land had been given to Abraham and he was allowing Lot (whom he very likely supposed would be his heir since he still did not understand that God would give him a son) to choose first, we are able to see that Abram was giving Lot his inheritance. With this revelation, it would be unwise not to acknowledge the parallels found with the Lord’s parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32). This is significantly true when Holy Writ reveals that “Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other” (Genesis 13:10-11, emphasis added). Regrettably, Lot was enticed by the physical beauty of the land and ignored that “the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord” (Genesis 13:13 emphasis added). This also reveals Lot’s ambitious, selfish, and ungrateful nature. Although his uncle had granted him the privilege to choose first, sadly Lot did not “esteem others better than himself” because he denied his uncle the better selection (Philippians 2:3b). Lot’s ingratitude and selfishness did not elude Abraham and it is very probable that it burdened his heart to witness it. So much so, that the Bible reveals to us that after Lot separated from Abram, Jehovah God reiterated His promise to him, undoubtedly to encourage and comfort him (Genesis 13:14-18). There is no question that any spurned person would be hesitant to provide any manner of aid to an ungrateful man, especially if their anguish is a direct result from their selfish deeds. No man would argue that it is justifiable to leave them to their own devices. However, one who can see beyond the insult and merely focus on the ailing brother is Divinely magnanimous “for scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man, someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8, emphasis added). Astonishingly, Abram emulated the Master in His magnanimity when he, too, sought to emancipate his nephew from the clutches of King Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:1-17). It must be noted that some time had transpired from when Lot separated from Abram to when this event took place. This is significant because it means that Lot had dwelt in the plain of Jordan long enough to be fully aware of the ghastly levels of wickedness that prevailed there. Yet, despite being “oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” he remained in Sodom, exposing himself to the imminent danger that eventually arrived (2nd Peter 2:7b-8, emphasis added). Irrefutably, Lot’s predicament was a product of his terrible choice to continue to live among the wicked, “for I was envious of the boastful when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:3, emphasis added). Thus, the reality that Abram repaid Lot’s ambition with benevolence strengthened Melchizedek’s benediction “Blessed be Abram of God Most High” (Genesis 14:19a, emphasis added). His magnanimity shined brightly before men because he provided his nephew with salvation when it was not deserved. However, Abraham understood fully that “blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” and that “blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:7 & 9, emphasis added). Thus, the results of the Lord’s hammer and furnace begin to bear fruit in the form of Abram’s magnanimity. To this, the Lord will now reveal to His pupil the outstanding lesson found in the farmer. To be continued…