In this blog, we will explore the decisions made by Lot, the outcome and how we can relate to them nowadays.
To kick start, let’s read Genesis Chapter 13, then jump to Chapter 19 for the accounts related to Lot.
What are the decisions of Lot based on these chapters?
1. Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan which was well watered.
In Genesis 13, there was a quarrel between Abram’s herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. To resolve this conflict, Abram decided for them to part ways.
Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered and he chose for himself this plain and set out toward the east. Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom (verses 10-12).
Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD (verse 13).
There is nothing wrong on choosing a green pasture but the question is, would it be a place honorable to God?
I have a friend who was offered a high salary to work to a casino for their gambling application. But he refused that offer as his stand is that working in a gambling industry is not honorable to God. I admired him on how he stand to what is honorable, rather than money.
2. He insisted for the two angels of the LORD to stay in his house and prepared a meal for them.
In Genesis Chapter 19, we saw how Lot showed that there is a good man in Sodom, but it was not enough as Abram rallied with God not to destroy Sodom if there were ten righteous people in it.
When he met them, he bowed them with his face to the ground showing his respect. Even though these two angels rejected his offer to stay in his house, Lot still insisted so strongly that they did go with him and enter his house and he prepared a meal for them.
This reminds us to show goodness to other people as how God showed his goodness to us.
3. He was willing to prostitute his daughters as substitute for these two angels when the men of Sodom asked to have sex with them.
We saw the wickedness of the men of Sodom that they even asked to have sex with the guests of Lot.
Lot, on the other hand, offered her daughters instead to these men to protect his guests (verse 8).
It seems to be a noble act but doing sin to avoid another sin is still a sin. Of two evil doings, we should not choose what is lesser evil, but neither choose any of them. Don’t be an accomplice to sin.
4. He rejected the instructions of the angels to flee to the mountains but instead begged them to flee to Zoar, a nearby town. And the angels granted his request.
The angels of the Lord told Lot to flee for their lives, don’t look back and don’t stop anywhere in the plain and go to the mountains (verse 17). But Lot begged them to flee instead to the nearby town as he was afraid that the disaster will overtake him and die when he go to the mountains. The angels granted the request.
There might be situations when God is telling us to do something but we are hesitant to obey, maybe because it is outside of our comfort zone or we thought our plan is better than his. God can grant our favor but sometimes, it might lead to something undesirable that we end up surrendering to God.
In the past, I faced a challenging decision regarding my job. The prior offer was very enticing that might put me in a good position. When I was told to make decision on that day, I went out to the park nearby my office, asked God for his direction and read his word. Finally, I decided not to take that offer. And indeed, after few months, God opened a door for me to be in a higher position and moved overseas.
Another big decision I made was when I decided to tell my boss that I prioritized my short term mission trip than my job. Woah, that is a painful one and I came up with that decision when I prayed and fasted. I prepared myself as well and told God that I am ready for any consequences, that I fully surrendered to him. But God did not want me to lose my job, as before I went out for my short term mission trip, a new manager offered me a new post in the same company. And this served as my stepping stone to the role that I am in now.
At the end of the day, it is about putting our trust to God, surrendering our plans to him and let his will be done.
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