Genesis 18-19

We all know Lot! Abraham’s nephew, who seemed to be greatly influenced by his environment. For as long as he accompanied his godly uncle Abraham, he managed to stay out of trouble. Lot’s name means “covered, hidden or wrap,” ironic, that when he was with Abraham, he was hidden from the enemy, covered by mercy, and wrapped in family love until he decided he had “grown-up” to remain with Abraham.
Genesis 13:11-14 records the dispute between Lot’s and Abraham’s servants over insufficient pasture and water (especially after the recent famine and drought) for all their flocks and herds. Vs 11 see Lot choose the plain. No consideration or honour for his uncle. Civility or good breeding is important in life. Lot was worldly and self-motivated, like so many today.
Greed was also in the heart of Lot, the heart wants what the heart wants, when he looked up and saw the fruitful land, rather than wait for his uncle to give it to him, he chose what he thought was the best.
He showed no respect to Abraham, instead of deferring to Abraham, he chose the land trusting his judgment and guided only by sight: without considering the character of the inhabitants, and the impact it would have on his life.
Abraham came to Lot’s rescue when he was kidnapped by the five kings, Abraham could have ignored and left him to his fate as Lot didn’t ask for help.
There are contrasts between Abraham and Lot; the opening of Genesis 18 and 19 says Abraham saw the Lord but Lot saw only two angels, Abraham runs to greet his visitors-Lot only rises to greet them, Abraham offers a sumptuous feast while Lot offers unleavened bread, Abraham lived in a tent while Lot lived in a house and had become fully integrated with the town and their way of life.
Abraham daringly challenged God over Sodom, Genesis 18, but Lot was passive to the point of offering up his virgin daughters for abuse to save perfect strangers. Abraham takes the impending destruction of Sodom seriously; Lot treats it like a buffoon that even his sons-in-law ridicule him.
Lot would have died from his weakness and inconsistency had it not been for the Lord’s mercy on him whereas, Abraham’s intercessory intervention saved Lot and his family but Lot’s weakness and self-interest, however, spared Zoar from destruction because he dared to say send me there.
God had commanded Lot and his family not to look behind them; lot’s wife disobeyed and became a pillar of salt. The Lord uses this to warn believers against clinging too closely to the world in Luke 17:32.
Lot’s dysfunctional family is almost what we see today. Genesis 19:31-34 records Lot’s daughters’ genuine and plausible belief that humanity would die unless they bore children from the only surviving male-their father, the conceived children became the enemies of Israel: Moabite in Numbers 22:1-6, and Ammonites in Judge 3:13, because Lot was drunk.
Lot’s lot is a lesson for us all. He moved close, got comfortable, and condoned sin. He started so well but because of poor choices, he ended up a widower living in a cave with his daughters and sons/grandsons. God’s will is your lot.
Shalom