Lot knew of God’s call upon Abraham. I’m certain that he had seen God‘s hand upon Abraham‘s life. He had even placed his faith in God just like Abraham, but he failed to follow the Lord. Instead, he allowed himself to be lured away by the enticing sins of this world. Notice within this chapter the progression of Lot’s sins and the resulting consequences of his decisions to follow after his lust.
THE PROGRESSION:
1. He looked upon sin.
Gen. 13:10 “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah,”
2. He flirted with sin.
Gen. 13:12 “Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.”
3. He yielded to sin.
Gen. 19:1 “And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom:”
THE RESULTS:
1. He was embarrassed by his sin.
Gen. 19:2 “And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways.”
2. He was impacted by his sin.
V6 “Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.”
3. He identified with his sin.
V7 “And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.”
4. He engaged in his sin.
V8 “I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes”
5. He suffered loss to his sin.
V29a, 30 “And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain...Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.”
6. He perpetuated his sin.
V36-38 “Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father. And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.”
LESSON - Abraham had intervened for Lot and his family. If only 10 righteous people could have been found, the entire cities would have been saved. There were 8 people in Lot’s family. Had he only reached two people outside of his own family, everyone would have been spared God‘s judgment. Sadly, Lot failed to reach his own family. Because he failed as a Believer and as a father, his sin was passed down for many generations to follow. The Moabites and the Amorites would plague Israel for many years to come. Here is the main lesson we can learn from Lot’s life. If we fail to follow Christ and reach those close to us, our failures will follow us for many generations to come. And when God‘s judgment finally comes, we will suffer loss! Know your purpose and do not settle.
~Mike