Jehovah Protects the RighteousWhat can we learn about God, through His dealings with Lot?
Lot chose to live in the District of Sodom and Gomorrah, even though it had begun to have a reputation as an immoral city. It was a very comfortable and wealthy city. Outward appearances proved to be deceptive, as this move put Lot and his family in spiritual danger. It was difficult for them to live among the immoral people in Sodom. (2 Peter 2:7,8)
Abraham had three angels visit him, now in chapter 19 we see that two of those angels traveled on to Sodom. Lot who was sitting at the gate extends hospitality to them. Lot is insistent on them coming into his house to stay the night. No doubt because of the badness of the town, especially after dark. Sure enough, as darkness comes a mob calls out to Lot saying they want him to bring out the men that are visiting with him. Notice why in verse 5. They are wanting to have immoral sexual relations with them! (Gen 19: 1-5)
According to the Oriental code, it was the host's responsibility to protect the guests in his home, defending them even to the point of death if necessary. Lot bravely went out to the mob, closed the door behind him, and faced them alone. By the time he offered his daughters, Lot likely realized that his messengers were from God, and he may have reasoned that God could protect his daughters as He had protected his aunt Sarah in Egypt. (Gen 12:17-20; 19:6-11)
Lot warns his son-in-laws to be, but they think he is crazy and just laugh at him. The angels become urgent, yet Lot kept lingering, and the angels almost had to drag him and his family out of the city of Sodom. (Gen 19:12-17) Next, we see an example of Jehovah showing honor to imperfect Lot. God had told Lot to flee to the mountainous region, however, Lot said that he did not want to go there; he preferred Zoar, although this city was in the area that was to be destroyed. In verse 21 we read Jehovah's answer to Lot's request, "Here I do show you consideration to this extent also, by my not overthrowing the city of which you have spoken. Hurry! Escape there, because I am not able to do a thing until your arriving there!"
(Gen 19:18-22)
Lot's wife made it all the way to Zoar safely, then she looked back longingly at what she had left behind. What losses Lot and his daughters had! The girls had to leave behind men they were to marry. Lot lost his wife and all his wealth. (Gen 19:23-26) What had originally looked good from man's viewpoint turned out to be just the opposite. Even though Lot made serious mistakes, He was later described as righteous. (2 Peter 2:7,8) Like Lot, we too can make bad choices. Jehovah sees our mistakes, but he knows those who have a heart inclined to righteousness. Even if we sin seriously but are repentant from the heart, Jehovah provides forgiveness and help.
-Ps 103:10-14
Abraham also experienced honor from Jehovah, in that Jehovah took his feelings into account concerning his nephew Lot. (Gen 19:27-29)
After reading the remaining verses of Genesis chapter 19 we may ask: "Did Jehovah condone Lot's getting drunk and fathering sons by his two daughters?"
Jehovah condones neither incest nor drunkenness (Leviticus 18:6,7, 29; 1 Corithians 6:9,10) Lot actually deplored the "lawless deeds" of Sodom's inhabitants. (2 Peter 2:6-8) The very fact that Lot's daughters got him intoxicated suggests that they knew he would not consent to having sexual relations with them while he was sober. But as aliens in the land, his daughters felt that this was the only way to prevent the extinction of Lot's family. The account is in the Bible to reveal the relationship of the Moabites (through Moab) and the Ammonites (through Benammi) to Abraham's descendants, the Israelites.- (Gen 19:30-38) It could be noted that Jehovah lovingly teaches his servants progressively, Lot and his daughters did not have the law from Moses, though they did have their God-given conscience. Also, some influence from living in Sodom may have affected the daughters conscience, along with the desperate feeling of not being able to produce heirs. They chose to lean on their own understanding instead of trusting that God would provide for them.
What points about God's thinking and personality did you learn from this Bible account?
