Lot’s Dilemma

 God has spoken with Abraham and told him of the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (Gen 18:20-33)

 

Lot lived in the city of Sodom. The population there could be thousands. What is known was the city was vile and full of evil. However, God gave Lot, because he was righteous, a way out. The Angels of the LORD came to Lot to rescue him.

Lot’s dilemma is; When do I leave, where do I go, what does my future hold?

But Lot didn’t follow the directions at first. He waited, but the Angels were not going to wait, and neither were the evil people in Sodom. Lot’s family, his son’s son’s in-law, wife, and daughters were not willing to leave.

Lot and his family recognized the danger posed to the Angels and his family. Lot, though faithful, was still scared of the unknown future. He tried to stall. However, he knew the Angels were real when they blinded the evil men attempting to push their way into Lot’s home.

The Angels told Lot to take his family and take refuge in the mountains. Lot did not want to hide in the caves. Instead, he asked the Angels if he could go to the “very small” town of Zoar, The Angels agreed.

That morning the Angels led Lot, his wife, and daughters out of Sodom and told them to not look back. As they fled Lot’s wife looked back at the destruction of Sodom. She was turned into a pillar of salt.

Lot’s faith got him out of Sodom, but he lost his wife. Her turning back demonstrated not only a lack of faith, but the desire to stay in such a sinful place. Lot’s wife did not fear God and in breaking God’s command she suffered the consequence. Lot knew enough that staying in Zoar was a bad idea. So he ran to a cave.

Lot’s daughters used wine to get their father drunk and they slept with him. The heart of humans is deceitful. Lot’s daughters wanted babies to improve their lives. It doesn’t. Lot took the wine, but could he control his drinking, No.

To quote Matthew Henry, “From the silence of the Scripture concerning Lot henceforward, learn that drunkenness, as it makes men forgetful, so it makes them to be forgotten.”

The Story of Lot at Sodom is found in Genesis Chapter 19.