Lot
The righteous man who was distressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked.
Who was Lot?
Lot was Abraham’s nephew (Genesis 11:31). His father - Abraham’s brother - died in Ur of the Chaldeans (Genesis 11:28). After Lot’s grandfather died (Genesis 11:32), Lot went with Abraham to follow the Lord’s call (Genesis 12:1-5).
Like his uncle Abraham, Lot was a wealthy man with many possessions and large herds (Genesis 13:15). After a while, the land could not support the flocks of both men when they traveled together, so they separated (Genesis 13:8-9).
Why was Lot living in Sodom?
Before Abraham and Lot went their separate ways, Abraham gave his nephew the first choice of the land - a generous offer Abraham did not have to make. Lot saw the well-watered green pastures of the plain of Jordan and chose to move his herds there (Genesis 13:10-11).
The plain of Jordan was where the city of Sodom was located and ultimately where Lot ended up living (Genesis 13:12). It appears from the text that Lot did not initially know how wicked the people of Sodom were (Genesis 13:13).
How did Lot escape Sodom?
Later in Genesis 19, the Lord sends two angels to Sodom to destroy it (Genesis 19:12-13). Lot had become a person with some degree of authority in the city (Genesis 19:1, 9), and he welcomed the strangers into his home (Genesis 19:2). Knowing the wickedness of the city, Lot “insisted strongly” (Genesis 19:3) that they stay with him.
When the evil men of the city showed up at Lot’s house later that were wanting to "know the strangers carnally” (Genesis 19:5), Lot tried to stop them, but their evil intentions only failed when the angels struck the men near the door with blindness (Genesis 19:10-11).
The angels told Lot to take his family and leave - God was going to destroy the city of Sodom because of its great wickedness. God was merciful to Lot and allowed him time to try and convince his family to leave (Genesis 19:16). The Lord even allowed Lot, his wife, and two daughters to flee to a nearby city, promising He would spare that city for Lot’s sake (Genesis 19:21-22).
After Lot’s escape, the Lord rained fire and brimstone down upon Sodom (and other wicked cities) and overthrew it completely (Genesis 19:24-25).
What can we learn from Lot?
The application from Lot will come from what Peter wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in 2 Peter 2:4-10.
Lesson #1: It is possible to remain righteous in a sinful environment.
Lot is sometimes criticized for living in Sodom, and perhaps this criticism is somewhat justified. But let's be careful not to throw a faithful servant of God “under the bus.” Peter recorded that Lot was righteous three times in 2 Peter 2:7-8.
Despite living in one of the most evil, sinful environments this world has ever seen - Lot remained faithful to the Lord. Evil environments make faithfulness more challenging but not impossible.
Lesson #2: Righteousness is tormented by evil conduct.
Peter recorded that Lot was “oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked,” and he “tormented his righteous soul” each day seeing and hearing the evil, lawless deeds of the people of Sodom (2 Peter 2:7-8).
Evil, sinful behavior should always “torment” the righteous. God’s faithful people should never just be “ok” with the sinfulness of this world. It should always disturb us.
Lesson #3: The Judge of all the earth will do right.
Peter used Lot as an example of how the Lord delivers the godly and brings judgment upon the ungodly (2 Peter 2:9-10).
The Judge of all the earth will do right (Genesis 18:25), and His mercy abounds towards those who trust in Him (Psalm 86:15). But His longsuffering does have an end, and He will punish evildoers (2 Peter 3:9-10).
https://linktr.ee/scatteredabroadnetwork
Fantastic lessons!