The Story of Lot: Lessons of Family, Love, and Prayer
Okay- We are all familiar with the story of Lot. In short summary, he left with his family and followers to the land of Sodom and Gomorrah. When God sent his Angels to destroy the city, they spared Lot and his family. Unfortunately, Lot’s wife was nosey like most women. She turned to look back at the city and was turned into a pillar of salt. THE END. Or is it? Is Lot’s story really that meaningless that we should only remember his story as “The man whose wife turned into a pillar of salt”? I think there is more. Let’s see…
Lot was Abraham’s nephew and Abraham always watched over him. We can learn a few lessons by examining the relationship between Abraham and Lot.
Loving family members unselfishly:
Abraham took Lot with him on his journey to the land of Canaan. Lot might have been annoying and snobby (or maybe it was his wife lol). Despite the love and care from Abraham, Lot and his wife were unhappy and unwilling to make do with the space they had. But Abraham continued to act out of love instead of becoming frustrated with his nephew.
“Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have fighting between us, between your shepherds and my shepherds. After all, we’re family. Look around. Isn’t there plenty of land out there? Let’s separate. If you go left, I’ll go right; if you go right, I’ll go left.” Genesis 13:8-9 (MSG)
Never give up on family:
Lot leaves because like most of us, he was stubborn and wanted things his way. But still…. Abraham loved him. When Lot was taken prisoner, who rescued him? None other than his good ole uncle Abraham. Abraham rescued Lot without hesitation. He didn’t think to himself, “Well, he brought this on himself for leaving” etc. AND even after Abraham risked his life and the lives of the men in his camp, Lot left again (chasing his own desires).
But that was okay. Abraham wasn’t the “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” type of guy. He still loved and PRAYED for Lot. When God sent Angels to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham remembered his nephew lot and pleaded on his behalf.
“Abraham confronted him, “Are you serious? Are you planning on getting rid of the good people right along with the bad? What if there are fifty decent people left in the city; will you lump the good with the bad and get rid of the lot? Wouldn’t you spare the city for the sake of those fifty innocents? I can’t believe you’d do that, kill off the good and the bad alike as if there were no difference between them. Doesn’t the Judge of all the Earth judge with justice?” Genesis 18: 23- 25 (MSG)
Abraham continues to plead… and the final response is:
“For the sake of only ten, I won’t destroy the city.” When God finished talking with Abraham, he left. And Abraham went home”. Genesis 18:33 (MSG)
The city was destroyed, but Lot and his daughters were spared (again), and of course his wife became salt.
So what can we learn from this story?
1. Love our family unconditionally. Even if they are out of sight, don’t let them be out of mind
2. Never give up on them
3. Pray for them daily
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