“A Lot was Lost”

Genesis 19

15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:

19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die.

Lot had not decided to remain with his Uncle Abraham. He had chosen good land for himself. Lot was carnal and walked in the flesh. Abraham walked in the Spirit. (N.B. Romans 8) Examine yourself, who are you like?

Most Christians are like the meaning of the word “Lot” which means a cloth to cover the face to hide it. Most Christians walk and don’t see. They are worldly and fleshly.

Lot was a wealthy important man who was elected a judge in Sodom and Gomorrah. 2 Peter 3:8 describes Lot’s soul as being tormented by the evil that was around him in those cities. When the angels came Lot did not hesitate. He left with them and did not look back but he moaned and complained and asked to stay on the plain. Are we the same when God helps us, do we say it’s too hard going God’s way? You have to leave all and follow the Lord forgetting what is behind. God sometimes gives you the easy way that you want but with it comes a leanness to your soul.

In Ps 106: 15 we are told the awful fact that God “gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.” What loss!

Lot lost everything he had including his wife as a result of choosing his own way rather than stay with his uncle Abraham. Abraham had no need for the riches and fine things of the city.

Lot did things his own way in his time and we see the consequences of it. He did not seek advice from wise Abraham. When his daughters were despairing of never marrying, Lot did not seek advice over the matter and look what they did. Their offspring as a consequence of their incest became enemies of God (Moabites and Ammonites). Lot lived a carnal life.

Though the New Testament refers to him as “righteous Lot” who was vexed by the sins of the cities, it is nevertheless true that a lot was lost because of his fleshly decisions.