Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

Genesis 13:5-13 ESV

5 And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents,

⁶so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together,

⁷ and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.

⁸Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.

⁹ Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left."

¹⁰And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

¹¹So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other.

¹²Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. ¹³Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.

Lot is, of all Bible characters, the one who demonstrates best what the believer is not to be.

One of the questions that can be answered is concerning Lot’s company with Abram after Abram is called out of Haran. The question by some ‘Is Abram obedient in taking Lot with him in his departure from all his kindred?’. Should Abram have left Lot when he departed Haran? At this point it does not appear that Abram had received the promise of a son from Sarah. The fact that Sarah was sixty years old and by normal understanding past childbearing meant that Abram had no natural heir. Lot is his closest kin and it looks like by adoption became his heir. Lot remained in this position until he removed himself from it after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In his position as adopted son and heir of Abram, he accompanied with Abram as any son would do. Abram was disobedient in no sense having Lot with him.

That being said, the several instances of distress Abram experienced caused by Lot are warning of over-indulgence. Abram seems to have been very indulgent toward Lot. This is illustrated by the large-hearted way Abram granted Lot the choice of the land when they had to divide their companies.

Lot’s choice demonstrated his heart condition. His worldliness becomes apparent in choice of a land not like what God had promised - but like Egypt. Though Lot, as we are told, (II Peter 2:8)”vexed his righteous soul from day to day seeing and hearing their filthy deeds” did not leave Sodom until forced out by God’s deliverance of him and His determined destruction of Sodom.

Lot moves from one self serving act to another. Never, without the divine testimony in II Peter, would we have supposed Lot to be among God’s elect. But he is. Not only does he have a testimony among the elect of God but also his true nature is revealed. He never agreed with the world around him.

It is worth noting that Paul in Romans 1 finishes his description of the lawless behavior of the ungodly “that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” Romans 1:32 This Lot did not do.

We should be warned of the danger of judging the professed believer who has an observed acceptable testimony, He may, even for an extended length of time, be living in a way which is not consistent with what God requires of His children.

There is a narrow line to be walked between marking the hypocrite and being charitable toward a fallen believer. We must remember and look closely at Galatians 6:1. The duty and the warning are both incumbent upon us.

1Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

Remember Lot as a warning about the beginning of worldliness with the danger which follows and also of the ever pressing need of charity to our Christian family.