BURNING LOT IN SODOM
Genesis 19: 1~29
1. Introduction
Have you ever thought that Lot get’s a bad press from most Christians compared to Abraham? Sure, he made a poor choice. It’s also true that he chose to live in a wicked and dangerous place. But God did not abandon him nor does He ever abandon us in our hour of need. Perhaps we need to take a fresh look at Lot’s life from Gods viewpoint.
2. Intercession
How did Lot manage to stay righteous? For 2 Peter 2:8 states ”that good man Lot, driven nearly out of his mind by the sexual filth and perversity, was rescued. Surrounded by moral rot day after day after day, that righteous man was in constant torment” (The Message).
I think you would agree that you and I live in a time like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. So how do we stay on track? Can I suggest that it’s because of the prayers of the saints around us and indeed our prayers for them that help keep us safe?
Looking at Abraham in Genesis Chapter 18 leaves us in no doubt. When the Lord reveals His plans to other throw Sodom and Gomorrah in judgement, Abraham intercedes. His intercessory prayers are covering and protecting Lot and all his family. Here we have our example ~ we must cover our family with intercessory prayer on a day-to-day basis.
Abraham’s prayers do not go unheeded and God will not go deaf on your prayers or mine. When God destroyed the cities of the plain, we are told He remembered Abraham, and brought Lot out of the catastrophe. We can seek God for our family, friends because we have a God Who is able.
3. Hospitality
As with Abraham, the custom of hospitality featured very high on the list for Lot. There is an important lesson for us as Christians to learn here. Hebrews 13:2 tell us “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it”.
Lot was on the look out for people to help in a practical sense. As soon as he saw these people approaching he jumped into action promptly. I wonder sometimes how quickly we are to come to somebody’s aid. We tend to take cover rather than assist, but here we see Lot acting in a polite and humble way. He bows down with his face to the ground addressing them “My lords”, acting in humility as their servant.
Hospitality should also be high on our list but admittedly this can be difficult to put into practice. Perhaps you can share your lunch with someone who is hungry or lonely, maybe we can work together and cook a meal for those people who we know might not get anything to fill their bellies. Let’s be a practical church now and again. What’s the point being taught the same things over and over if we are never going to practise it for real?
4. Missed Invitation
When Abraham had asked God to spare the city for ten righteous people God agreed, but sadly they could not be found. Even here God gives us an example of His mercy. Although the conditions for saving the city could not be met, we see God was willing to save anyone who was prepared to believe in Him and follow His instructions.
The sad thing for me is that the invitation was also offered to the proposed partners of Lot’s daughters, but they turned it down because they thought it was a joke. It was no joke back then and it’s not a joke now. 2 Cor 5:11 tells us “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is plain to your conscience”.
Christianity is not a joke ~ it is the only way we can be sure of our eternal future, a free trip to Heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No~one comes to the Father except through Me”. (John 14:6). This is an invitation for everyone. Sadly there are those who think it’s a joke today but we should not give up trying to convince them otherwise. I pray that no one hearing this message today is willing to take a chance that it’s all a joke. Don’t be like the son-in-laws who went onto perish, the invitation is for you today to come to Jesus.
5. So what is God’s viewpoint about all this?
Can I suggest that we sometimes treat Lot, (and sadly other Christians) as though he was burnt to death in Sodom? But we have to remember Lot was supernaturally rescued. Although Lot compared to Abraham made a poor choice, electing to live in a wicked place, God calls Lot a righteous man:
“God decreed destruction for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. A mound of ashes was all that was left ~ grim warning to anyone bent on an ungodly life. But that good man Lot, driven nearly out of his mind by the sexual filth and perversity, was rescued. Surrounded by moral rot day after day after day, that righteous man was in constant torment”. (2 Peter 2:6~9 ~ The Message).
· Yes Lot lived in Sodom (and in a sense so do we)
· Yet he did not indulge in the sin around him (and nor should we by God’s grace and power.)
· He lived a godly life in spite of what was going on around him.
· He was not indifferent to it – it tormented him
· He tried to do his best to intervene.
6. God has a Plan and Purpose
God not only rescued Lot, He had a plan and purpose for his life. We have to look in the book of Deuteronomy Chapter 2 to understand what I mean:
· Firstly verse 9 and 19 says that the Israelites were not to harass or provoke Lot’s descendants to war.
· Secondly the Lord had made provision of land for Lot’s descendants.
· Thirdly and perhaps the most overwhelming part of God’s plan is that Lot’s descendant Ruth, a Moabitess, is the Grandmother of King David from which bloodline Jesus, God’s own precious Son came!
7. Conclusion
God does not look at appearances i.e. Lot lives in Sodom ~ so lets just forget him. God looks on his heart ~ Lot was not part of what was going on around him; he was God’s agent for salvation in Sodom. Lot was faithful to God.
It’s true that Lot hesitated to leave Sodom but the record shows Lot believed God and stepped out in faith. I don’t know why he hesitated as he did, but I do know sometimes that it is hard to leave our present surroundings and step out into the unknown. But if we respond in childlike faith to God’s calling He will guide us and keep us as we go one step at a time. We come under His protection. Maybe you are hearing God calling to go but are reluctant to move. Let me encourage you to trust God and go with His plan and purpose for your life and the salvation of others.
Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and never ever look back! For what’s behind you has gone. It’s the life we have escaped from. Now we know a better way. Jesus gives us a reminder in Luke 17:32~33 “Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it”. Lets stay focused and keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.
At the same time. Let’s not “Burn” people in Sodom. Maybe you know someone who has made some poor choices, but let’s believe our faithful God can rescue them. God has a purpose and a plan for their lives too. In fact God promises in Joel 2:25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten”. We need to do our bit by interceding for them, and dare I say not by criticising them!
Finally, we too live in our Sodom, perhaps not by choice, but we can still choose to live godly lives, with God’s help trying to save those around us like Lot did, even if they think we are joking. Keep reaching out to this world that God loves so very much and remember Paul’s words in 1 Cor 9:22 “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some”. Keep interceding for our friends and families ~ whatever!
