DIGGING DEEP NO. 877 – APRIL 6, 2021 LOT, THE FRIEND OF THE WORLD Gen.19: 1 – 29.

This chapter records the sad consequences of Lot’s spiritual decline. Abraham was the friend of God, but Lot was the friend of the world and the contrasts between these two men are easy to see. 

Locations – Gen.19: 1 when the heavenly contingent came to visit Abraham, he was at his tent door; but Lot was sitting in the gate of a wicked city. Abraham was a pilgrim and stranger, only passing through this world, but Lot had gradually abandoned his tent and settled down in Sodom. Instead of keeping his eyes on the heavenly city Heb.11: 10, 14- 16. Lot looked towards Sodom and began to walk by sight Gen.13: 10- 11. Then he moved his tent near Sodom Vs.12, and finally he moved into Sodom Gen.14: 12. Lot’s location in the gate indicates that he was a man of some authority, for that was where official business was conducted Ruth.4: 1. had Lot gone to Sodom because God directed him, his being there would have fulfilled divine purposes. God put Joseph in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon, and Esther in Persia; and their presence turned out to be a blessing.

Times – Gen.19: 1  it was early afternoon when the Lord and His angels visited Abraham Gen.18: 1, but it was evening when the angels entered Sodom. Abraham was walking in the light while Lot was walking in darkness 1Jh.1: 5- 7.

Visitors – only the two angels visited Lot and his family as He did with Abraham and Sarah. Even though Lot was aa believer, his life was such that the Lord did not feel at home with him. It is the separated believer who enjoys the close walk and communion with the Lord 2Cor.6: 14- 18; Jh.14: 23.

Hospitality – Lot did everything he could to make the guests comfortable, but you do not see him hastening to prepare a meal as Abraham did. By the way where is his wife during this time? The arrival of the men of the city at the door for immoral purposes was the climax of the evening. Lot was willing to sacrifice his two daughters to the lust of the crowd. What had happened to Lot’s personal values that he would offer his daughters to satisfy the sensual appetites of a mob? In contrast, Abraham would offer his son to the Lord.

Messages – God’s message to Abraham was a joyful one; he and Sarah would have the promised son within a year. But the message to Lot was frightening: God was going to destroy Sodom and everything in it. God would have spared the city had the angels found ten believers; but since that was not possible, God mercifully rescued the believers they did find. God’s message to the lost world is that judgment is coming, but His promise to His own  people is that He will rescue them 1Thes.5: 1- 10; 2Pet.2: 4- 9.

Influence – Gen.19: 14 because of his faith and obedience, Abraham was a blessing to his home and to the whole world. Because of his worldliness, Lot had no spiritual influence either in the city or in his own home. His sons in laws laughed at him and refused to leave the city. Even his wife was so in love with Sodom that she had to take one last look, and that look killed her. Lot had allowed his character to deteriorate; and his influence declined with it.

Attitudes – the first time God rescued Lot, he was a prisoner of war Gen.14: 12, 16 and he went right back into Sodom. That painful experience should have warned him that he was out of the will of God. If Lot heard the warning, he certainly did not heed it.

Consequences – The result of the Lord’s visit to Abraham was new hope and excitement as Abraham and Sarah joyfully anticipated the birth of a son. Lot however lost everything when Sodom was destroyed and he himself was saved “yet as by fire” 1Cor.3: 15. Abraham saw the cities of the plain destroyed Ps.91: 8 and knew that God had not found ten righteous people. But God delivered Lot because of Abraham Gen.19: 29. It was wholly a matter of God’s grace and mercy that saved Lot Gen.19: 19. Lot was conformed to the world Rom.12: 2 and all that he lived for went up in smoke and buried in ruins.

In Conclusion – Lot is a warning to all believers not to love the world, become friendly with the world, or be stained by the world because the day of reckoning will soon come Jam.1: 27.