As In The Days Of Lot
If you remember, a few months ago, I was feeling like Jonah. (See Saturday, June 27, 2020, "Occupy Till I Come" blog.)
But lately, I’ve been feeling more like Lot.
In the books of Matthew and Luke, Jesus equated end times with the days of Noah.
However, in Luke, He makes another comparison. “Likewise, as it was also in
the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built, but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it
rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:28-29) Wow! They were just going about their daily lives
oblivious to the pending judgment when sudden destruction came upon them, as
labor pains upon a pregnant woman and as a thief in the night.[1]
But why did angels lead Lot and
family out beforehand? Was
it because he was Abraham’s nephew? Maybe, yet I think there’s more to it, so
let’s dig.
Genesis 11:26-31 tells us Terah had three sons, Abram, Nahor, and
Haran. Haran must have been the oldest because he bore three children, Milcah,
Iscah, and Lot, before either Nahor or Abram married.
Sadly, Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, also known as Mesopotamia.
Right around this time, “…the God of glory appeared to… Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran…” saying, ‘…Get out of your country and from your relatives, and
come to a land that I will show you.’”[2]
If you know anything about Abraham, you realize when the Almighty
spoke, he immediately obeyed. Abram chose Sarai as his wife. Nahor took Milcah.
After sad goodbyes, Terah, Abram, Sarai, and Lot departed
Ur. They traveled northeast along the main road and came to the city of Haran,
and there Terah died.
Abram knew it was now time to continue his journey. So, at
seventy-five years of age, he packed up Sarai, Lot, all the
possessions and people he had acquired in Haran, and departed for the land of
Canaan.
The Canaanites made it difficult to settle, but after several moves
and a stay in Egypt, Abram and family returned to Canaan to the mountain
between Bethel and Ai. Lot was now
grown with many flocks and possessions, and soon strife arose between the
herdsmen. Abram suggested they separate, and as Lot’s surrogate dad, he gave him
first choice. “…Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan…it was
well watered…like the garden of the Lord… Lot chose for
himself…and…dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far
as Sodom.”[3]
As a nomadic farmer with herds and tents, what made Lot move into the city of Sodom? Was it fear of
the surrounding kings who once captured him, his family, and his goods? And
although Abraham rescued him, did he not feel safe outside the city? Possibly.
Still, it’s clear from Scripture the men of Sodom hated that Lot dwelt there and sat in the city gate acting
as a judge. So why did he stay? Was it for his wife? Nothing is known about her
except that the city and its sin seduced her.[4]
Lot was raised by Abraham, whom the Lord knew, “…that he may
command his children and…household…that they keep the way of the Lord, to do
righteousness and justice…”[5]
Peter tells us Lot “…was oppressed by the filthy conduct of
the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his
righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)[6]
Ah, this is why I feel like Lot. We are dwelling amongst the same blatant
disregard for God’s righteousness, morality, and ethics. We see the same perverted
sin flaunted in our faces and touted as lovely and good. I’m grieved as I watch
the news, and the lawless deeds torment my soul. I’m concerned for America, but
not for the believer’s future. Although that day comes upon the world as
a thief in the night, we are NOT in darkness.[7]
God’s great love removed Lot before destruction hit Sodom. But I’m not looking for angels to take
me by the hand and lead me out. I’m looking for Jesus Christ Himself
to meet me in the air![8]
Glory to God!!
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