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Scripture: Genesis 13-14 & 19
Background information:
The Bible doesn’t tell us who Lot’s wife was. We don’t know if
she was from his tribe, a woman from Egypt, or a woman from the plain of Jordan.
The early references to Lot refer to him and his herdsmen but not to his family.
Because there is so little mentioned of Mrs. Lot we are going to need to look
at Lot to understand Mrs. Lot and the girls.
According to Genesis 13 verse 1 when Abram and Sarah left Egypt they took their
nephew (Genesis 14:12), Lot with them. Verse 5 tells us that “Lot also,
which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.” The chapter goes
on to explain that the land where they settled wasn’t able to handle both
Abram’s and Lot’s cattle so they needed to separate their herds. This
is common sense land management. The action of separating the herds prevents
over-grazing that would have eroded the land.
Abram gave Lot the choice of where he wanted to dwell. Look at verse 10 and
we read that Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw the well-watered plain and the
cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot chose the rich fertile plain of Jordan and
Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan. I’m sure that Lot was counting his money
as he looked at the Jordan valley and saw rich pasture land, plenty of water
and people to sell meat and hides to. There is always a demand for fresh meat
in large cities.
Verse 12 tells us that Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom” and verse
13 tells us that “the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord
exceedingly.” I wonder why Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom? I suppose
it might have been to take advantage of the morning sun but I believe it goes
back to Lot’s plan for prosperity. He set his tent facing Sodom by means
of saying, “I’m ready to do business with you.”
In Genesis 14:12 we read that Lot and his possessions were taken captive and
Uncle Abram went to the rescue. Abram was successful in rescuing not only Lot
and his possessions but he also rescued the other captives and captured the
spoils of war. In Genesis 14:22-23 we read that Abram refused to take any reward
for rescuing the people. In fact verse 22 says Abram recognized the evil of
Sodom and Gomorrah and swore to God he would not profit from them…he did
not want to be obliged to them in any way. However, Lot and his family moved
back into town.
I want you to realize that Lot didn’t just stumble into this messed up
community and then move on. Lot chose to live in Sodom with his family. Chapter
14:5 mentions 14 years of evil dictatorial rule. Abram and Lot left Haran when
Abram was 75 years old (Genesis 12:4), they were probably in Egypt less than
a year because the prince of Egypt had taken Sarah into his household but had
not married her. The normal time of purification for a princess was one year.
After Abram and Lot had divided their flocks Ishmael was born to Hagar. Abram
was 86 years old. (Genesis 16:16) Abram and Sarah were promised a son when he
was 99 years old. (Genesis 17:1) Genesis 18 tells of the two angels visiting
on their way to Sodom. Lot chose to live and raise his family in Sodom, a community
of exceeding wickedness for at least 15 years and perhaps much longer.
The story of the Lot family continues in Genesis 19. God sent two angels to
warn the people of impending judgment by God. Lot recognized them immediately
as servants of God. The men of Sodom wouldn’t listen to Lot and wanted
instead to sexually assault the angels that Lot was protecting. Lot offered
the men of Sodom his two virgin daughters but they were not interested in women.
The Sodomites actually turned against Lot but God intervened and caused the
men to become blind for the night. (Genesis 19:11)
The next day Lot went to warn his married daughters and their husbands but they
didn’t believe him. His lack of standards had been compromised to the point
that Lot’s adult daughters and their husband thought that he was joking
when he warned them that God was going to destroy the city. (Genesis 19:14)
Genesis 19:15-20 “And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened
Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest
thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of
his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto
him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said,
Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain;
escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:
Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified
thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape
to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:
Behold now, this city [is] near to flee unto, and it [is] a little one: Oh,
let me escape thither, ([is] it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.”
Even though Lot had protected the angels and warned his daughters and sons-in-laws,
he still was hesitant to leave the city that was familiar to him…the community
where he had social position and influence. The angels literally took Mr. and
Mrs. Lot and their daughters by the hand and transported them outside the city.
Once they were safely outside the city, Lot was still trying to compromise.
In essence Lot said, “We can’t go to the mountains, something evil
might kill us.” This is the same Lot that had wandered hundreds of miles
through mountains, deserts, and wilderness with Abram and now he is sounding
like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, “Lions, and Tigers, and Bears, Oh, my!”
Again God allowed Lot his way and let the family go to one city that would not
be destroyed. The instructions were simple, escape to the city and don’t
look back.
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