1 So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb.
Faith (Abram) rises from the Ego (Consciousness of Egypt) and brings the subjected animal instincts (Lot) back into the state of Enlightenment. Negeb means “dry” or “parched”, and symbolizes the part of the mind that is in need of enlightenment and thirsts for it. Abram’s going into Negeb with his possessions is symbolic of bringing enlightenment to that part of your consciousness that needs it most.
2 Now Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
The physical life (Egypt) is the place where ideas that are rich in substance and spiritual purity are accumulated. This is symbolized by Abram’s possessions which were acquired in Egypt.
3 And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
4 to the place where he had made an altar at the first; and there Abram called on the name of YHVH.
The return to the tent where Abram began is symbolic of returning to the state of Enlightenment after using the Ego (Pharaoh) and the experience of physical life\the world (Egypt) to acquire\form ideas that are rich in substance and spiritually pure. Calling on YHVH symbolizes the continued acknowledgement of the forces of creation combined with the understanding gained in Egypt.
5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,
The Animal Consciousness (Lot) has also grown in power from this journey to enlightenment. This is symbolized by Lot’s possessions.
6 so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together,
The land being unable to support Abram and Lot together is symbolic of the fact that the animal consciousness (Lot) and the spiritual consciousness (Abram) are two very different states and cannot exist together for a long period of time.
7 and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's cattle and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle. At that time the Canaanites and the Per'izzites dwelt in the land.
They block each other’s progress because they are two opposing types of consciousness. This blocking is symbolized by the quarreling of the herdsmen of Lot (selfish ideas) with those of Abram (enlightened ideas). The urges produced by the body (Canaanites) and the senses of the Spirit (Perizzites) exist together at this point.
8 Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are kinsmen.
When this point is reached, the person seeking greater enlightenment (Abram) must let go of everything that threatens his spiritual progress (Lot). This is symbolized by the suggesting of Abram that he and Lot split up. It is the enlightened spiritual consciousness that makes this realization.
9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left."
Abram giving Lot the choice symbolizes the withdrawal of interest in the actions of the Animal Consciousness.
10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw that the Jordan valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of YHVH, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar; this was before YHVH destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
Lot chose the land that represents the highest state that the negative side of faith can achieve, symbolized by the Jordan Valley being chosen because it “reminded him of the garden of YHVH and Egypt”. However, the thoughts at this level are still partially corrupted by the thoughts of the corrupted Ego, which is symbolized by the muddy stream. It being located in the direction of Zoar (“smallness”) is symbolic of it being in the path toward the inferior\partly corrupted part of consciousness. The obscure thoughts and habits of the lower consciousness exist here (Sodom) and so does the mind of the senses, which dominates the region (Gomorrah).
11 So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east; thus they separated from each other.
Due to their nature, the faith ruled by the five senses (Lot) and the faith ruled by Spirit (Abram) separated, going to regions reflecting their natures.
12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, while Lot dwelt among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom.
The material consciousness (Lot) dwells in the body (Canaan), and continues indulging it’s habits and keeping obscure thoughts (Sodom).
13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against YHVH.
This behavior can interfere with the consciousness of the Spiritual Forces of Creation (YHVH).
14 YHVH said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward;
15 for all the land which you see I will give to you and to your descendants for ever.
The Spiritual Consciousness (Abram) will eventually permeate the entire being of the individual. This is symbolized by YHVH’s promise to Abram that he and his descendants (spiritual influences originating from him), would be given all the land.
16 I will make your descendants as the dust of the Earth; so that if one can count the dust of the Earth, your descendants also can be counted.
The spiritual influences within the consciousness (Abram’s descendants) will increase eternally.
17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you."
The Spiritual Consciousness will eventually dominate the whole being in the individual.
18 So Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron; and there he built an altar to YHVH.
The Spiritual Consciousness (Abram) dwells among a unified set of ideas producing a state of concentration on the spiritual forces. The unified set of ideas focused on the Spiritual (Hebron) exists when the consciousness (Mamre) is focused on the spiritual. This focusing is symbolized by Abram building an altar to YHVH.