In the book of Genesis we read there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Like his father Abraham, Isaac experienced a lack from the world, typified by the famine. Like father like son, Isaac's natural instinct was to depart from Canaan and head down into Egypt. Our Lord appeared unto him and said "go not down to Egypt: dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of." He was told not to follow in his father's footsteps in going down to Egypt. Abraham was sent out of Egypt by Pharaoh (Gen 12:20) and took no comfort there. He returned to Bethel (the house of God), where he worshipped God and called upon the name of the Lord. When Abraham returned he soon realized that the land was not able to bear all that were in his company. There was strife between the herdsmen of Abraham's and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle. Abraham took the initiative and said unto Lot "let there be no strife for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? SEPARATE thyself I pray thee from me.' Lot beheld the plain of Jordan He saw that it was well watered everywhere and Lot chose the plain and they separated themselves.

A land well watered everywhere is the natural choice of one that walks by sight. Man by nature will chose the wrong way and abides in that place unless he is delivered. Abraham was now left to sojourn in the land. Abraham didn't choose Canaan. He was called out from Ur of the Chaldees and told to get out of his country and from his kindred and his father's house into a land that God would show him. By faith Abraham when he was called out went out not knowing where he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country. Abraham looked for a city, which hath foundations, whose builder, and maker is God.

When strife arose it was apparent that the separation was needed. That separation was commanded by God in order for Abraham to be obedient to God's call. The Old Baptists have likewise had many needful separations in order to maintain the identity of the Lord's church. Those that caused strife among us invariably envision more commodious pastures. The Old Baptists have always been those that go in by the door and are saved from this untoward generation. They are blessed to go in and out and find pasture where the Lord feeds his little flock. In His pasture the Lord makes His children to rest at noon, in the heat of the day and take comfort in His provisions. The worldlings go after what appears to the natural eye to be a good land, not knowing that they will ultimately end up in the clutches of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham was blessed when Lot separated himself from Abraham's company (Gen 13:14). God never ordained Lot's fellowship in the land of promise. We see through Isaac and Abraham, the world has repeatedly burdened God's people. Once again it is evident that strife is among the Old Baptist. Once again we say separate yourself from us we pray thee. Once again, is not the whole land before thee? 4/2/203 Elder M. Hoogasian