A Lot to Deal With

In Genesis chapters 11-14 & 19 we learn about a man named Lot. At a young age, Lot lost his father. He was raised by his Uncle Abram (Abraham) until they decided to part ways. Abram gave Lot first pick of the new land he would occupy. In verse 10 of Genesis chapter 13, we read that Lot saw the land of Sodom and that it was well-watered.

Unfortunately, this land may have been well-watered, but it was also wicked (Genesis 13:13).

It was not long before Lot had a lot to deal with.

His decision to choose a place to live that was surrounded by such corruption would prove to be a bad idea. Eventually, Lot and his family blended in so much with this wicked culture, they did not want to leave it. One day, a rival king decided to rage war against 5 cities. Sodom was one of them. This King defeated Sodom and captured Lot, his family, and his possessions.

In the meantime, Uncle Abram was over in the land of Canaan, blessed by the Lord, relaxing in the Lord’s will, listening to God tell him how his descendants will one day be “as the dust of the earth” (Genesis 13:16). Well, this basking was interrupted with word regarding what had happened to his nephew Lot.

Abram gathered up 318 men, chased down and defeated this conquering king’s army, and recovered Lot, his family, and their possessions.

Then Lot returned to Sodom.

Really, Lot! You went back?!

Sigh.

But wait, before I get mad at him and start pointing fingers, rolling eyes, and smacking my lips—I must admit that I’ve been there!

Where? Right there in “verse 10”: burning with a desire for possessions, craving success, enticed by what looks good, longing for the best of everything. I mean, come on . . . verse 10 says this land was “like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt . . .” What’s the big deal, right?

Well . . . the “big deal” is that while it was like the garden of the Lord and like the land of Egypt, this area of land Lot chose was also away from God. When we make choices, no matter how “good” they seem, if they don’t move us in the direction of God, the only other direction is the wrong direction.

The next thing we know, we have a lot to deal with.

Sodom was a city known for, not its well-watered land, nor its similarities to the garden of the Lord or the land of Egypt, but for its sin. Even still, Lot, in his greed and desire for the best for himself, chose to make this place home.

In Lot’s situation, as in many of our own, this lure caught grip of him and led to many hardships. Ultimately, Lot lost everything he owned, his wife died, his remaining family ended up living in a cave, then his daughters got him drunk, slept with him and they both ended up pregnant . . . and Lot was the father!!

Did I mention that Lot had a lot to deal with?

The good news is this is not where the story ends. The sons born to Lot’s daughters were named Moab and Ben-Ammi. Years later, when the Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land the Lord ordered His people to preserve a particular group of individuals. Care to guess who? You guessed it: the Moabites and the Ammonites! God did this on Lot’s behalf (Deuteronomy 2:9, 19). Because of this act of mercy, we get to know Ruth. She, a descendant of Moab, was an ancestor of Jesus, even though Moab was born as a result of Lot’s incestuous relationship with one of his daughters.

Consider this: Yes, much of Lot’s life is a picture of the consequences of greed, bad life choices, and the negative influence of a sinful environment. Yes, Lot chose to live among people who would lead his family into sin and complacency.

Yes, Lot had a lot to deal with!

AND . . . Lot knew God! (2 Peter 2:7-8)

That’s what made the difference in Lot’s situation and that is what will make a difference in our lives as well.

After the verses on the negative impact of greed and the influence of a sinful environment come the verses illustrating God’s great mercy in spite of Lot’s poor choices! Lot’s story reminds us that God forgives. Even better, often times, that forgiveness is followed by positive circumstances from evil.

This same God who sent angels to physically drag Lot out of this corrupt city in order to save him… this same God who preserved this family through the ages … this same God who extended His great mercy to Lot… did all of this in spite of the bad choices, in spite of the greed, in spite of the evil, and because of His love. And this same God has done, is doing, and will continue to do the same for you and for me!

Do you have a lot to deal with?

Gotcha!

Know God. And know that He has enough love and mercy to extend in spite of it all!