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Lot – A Righteous Man – Even In The Midst Of Sin And Sinners!

Lot was the son of Haran and the nephew of Abraham, (Genesis 11:27). Following Haran’s death, he went with Terah, his grandfather, and Abraham to Ha-ran (Genesis 11:31). After Terah’s death, he and Abraham went to Canaan (Genesis 12:5). Following a sojourning in Egypt because of a famine in Canaan, Lot and Abraham were faced with a problem. The land was not able to support the great flocks and herds of both men so that they could continue to live at the same place (Genesis 13:6-7). Strife had even developed between their herdsmen. To solve the problem, Abraham allowed Lot to choose where he would dwell (Genesis 13:8-13). Lot chose the plain of Jordan because it was well-watered with lush, green pasture. He pitched his tent toward Sodom, whose people were “exceedingly wicked and sinful” (Genesis 13:13 – NKJV).

In time, the city of Sodom was overrun by Chedorlaomer, king of Elam, and his allies. Lot and his goods were taken captive to Dan (Genesis 14:1-16). Abraham raised an army from his own household and rescued Lot and the others who had been taken captive (Genesis 14:14-16). Eventually, God decided to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their great sin (Genesis 18:20-33). Lot and his family were warned by angels of the destruction that was to come (Genesis 19:1-16). Lot invited the angels to stay at his home where he showed hospitality to them. The men of the city surrounded Lot’s house and demanded he send the men (angels) out to them so that they might “have relations with them” (Genesis 19:5 – NASB). Lot offered his daughters to the men of the city, who then turned upon Lot, but was rescued by the angels who blinded those men. Learning of the cities’ impending destruction, Lot told his married daughters and their husbands but they regarded him as one who “seemed to be joking” (Genesis 19:14). The angels then physically led Lot, his wife and two unmarried daughters, out of the city. The angels told Lot to flee to the mountains, but he wanted to go to the city of Zoar (Genesis 19:17-22). He feared for his life if he went to the mountains, so the angels allowed him to go to Zoar.

As God promised, fire and brimstone rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah and all the plain destroying the cities and their inhabitants (Genesis 19:23-29). Contrary to God’s command, Lot”™s wife looked back toward Sodom and became a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). Fearing for his life, Lot and his two daughters fled to the mountains and lived in a cave where his daughters, possibly because of the wicked influence of Sodom, plotted to have children by their father (Genesis 19:30-38). After making Lot so drunk with wine that he was unaware of their presence, his daughters had sexual relations with him. As a result, each of the daughters bore a child by him (Genesis 19:36). The oldest daughter gave birth to Moab, the father of the Moabites. The younger bore Benammi, the father of the Ammonites (Genesis 19:37-38).

In spite of all his shortcomings and sins, Lot was considered righteous by God (2 Peter 2:7-8). He was righteous even though he was vexed or “oppressed” on a daily basis by the wickedness of those around him. It is entirely possible, that the early influence of Abraham had deeply impressed Lot. Brethren, like Lot, we live in a wicked society, but we cannot excuse sin in our life because of it. Lot illustrates the fact that we can be righteous even in the midst of the vilest of sin and sinners.