The story of Lot is often overlooked since he is a secondary character in the story of Abraham. Lot is described as righteous in the Bible (2 Pet 2:7) and God wants to save him from the midst of Sodom for the sake of Abraham (Gen 19:29). In this post we will explore Lot’s downfall so that we can avoid Lot’s mistakes.

Lot Fleeing from Sodom, 1810 (oil on panel) by West, Benjamin

Great possessions of Lot

Gen 13:6-7 Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. …

We read from the book of Genesis, that the possessions were so great for Lot and Abraham that they were unable to dwell together and there was strife between herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock.

Gradual relocation into midst of abomination

Gen 13:12-13 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.

Gen 14:12 They also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

Lot saw that the plain of Jordan was like the garden of Eden and chose it (Gen 13:8-11). There is nothing wrong in choosing the choice side of the land, but sin can sometimes pull us in into its midst. Lot didn’t dwell in Sodom but in the cities of the plain but gradually he went into Sodom itself.

God’s first and second warning to Sodom

Gen 13:13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against the LORD exceedingly. … (14:11-12) And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way. And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

God did not destroy Sodom instantly even though they were wicked. He first gives a warning through king Chedorlaomer by allowing him to subdue Sodom for 12 years (similar to how Israelites served in the book of Judges). In the thirteenth year, God gave a second warning by making them captives to Chedorlaomer. God was using Chedorlaomer against Sodom similar to how God used Nebuchadnezzar against Israelite people. Living among sinners means, we will not only have a part in their sins but also have a part in their judgement when it comes upon them.

Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.

This is why in the book of Revelation, God wants us to come out of mystery Babylon. When Abraham heard Lot’s captivity, he came and rescued him (Gen 14:14-16). Lot didn’t even realise that Sodom serving Chedorlaomer and he becoming a captive is a divine judgment upon Sodom for it’s wickedness. In spite of God’s warning, He restored all the wealth of Lot, yet he continued to live in the midst of the wicked and sinners in Sodom.

Offering own daughters for Sodom’s sexual pleasures

Gen 19:4 Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. … (8) “See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.”

If a righteous person lives among sinners and the wicked, he will be forced to satisfy the sins of the people around him with everything precious he has. Here, Lot is perfectly okay to feed the sinful desires of Sodom with his own daughters.

Gen 19:36 Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.

Just as Lot gave his own daughters sexual immorality, God delivered Lot and his daughters into sexual immorality to have Incestuous children. If you try to satisfy the wicked and sinners with any sinful things, then God will deliver you and your descendants into the same sin.

Lingering Lot fled empty handed

Gen 19:16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. … (29) And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt.

Even though we know the judgement on the wicked and sinners, sometime we may be reluctant to flee from them. But God being merciful to us, takes us by His hand and moves us to a different place. This can happen in many ways (e.g, job transfer). Here, while Lot lingered the two angels took hold of his hands, his wife’s hand and the hands of his two daughters and brought them out of the city.

Hence, it is very important to listen to God’s warnings and judgements on sinners and wicked from the land we dwell. If Lot was able to discern the first two warnings of Sodom, he could have left Sodom with everything he had but he had to flee running for his life empty handed on the day of judgement.

Lot got separated from Abraham because his possessions was so great, but now he was left with nothing because of whom he dwelt with. As long as Lot dwelt with Abraham, he was blessed with abundance. But the moment he dwelt in Sodom with sinners, he was stripped to nothing. It is also worth noting that Lot was saved for the sake of Abraham

Conclusion

It is very important for us to reevaluate with whom do we dwell among. If we are surrounded by sinners and the wicked, we must flee from that place. If we don’t, God warns about us having part in their sins and also in their judgments. If we linger like Lot, we will be left with nothing and had to flee for our lives on the day God judges the sinners on the land.