5 Lessons from the life of Lot

You do not need to be a Bible scholar to know the story of Lot's wife turning into a pillar of salt. In case this is the only story you know when you hear of Lot, relax, you are not alone. 

The Bible in Genesis chapter nineteen tells us that the family of Lot were instructed by Angels, while fleeing the land of Sodom and Gomorrah, not to look back. The Bible also records that, the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. Still, in 2 Peter 2:7-8 the Bible describes Lot as a "just" and "righteous" man. 

You may be asking, what is a man whom the Lord calls righteous doing living amongst the ungodly and what lessons is there to learn from his life. 

First, a summary on the story of Lot.

Lot is the son of Haran, the brother of Abram. Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the land of his birth (Gen 11: 27-32). When God called Abram, Lot went with him. While Abram travelled through the land of Canaan unto Egypt then to Negev, Lot went with him. As Abraham became very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold, Lot also had flocks and herds and tents of his own. 

When they got to Bethel, they realized the land couldn't support them both as their possessions were so great. Quarreling began amongst Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. So Abram suggested that they each take sides to avoid the conflict. Lot looked and saw the land that was well watered and set out towards East and Abram lived in the land of Canaan. (Gen. 13)

The kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Bela(that is Zoar) went to war against the kings of Elam, Goiim, Shinar and Ellasar – four kings against five. When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, the rest of the men fled to the hills. The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food and went away. They also carried off Abram's nephew, Lot, since he was living in Sodom. When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive he called out the three hundred and eighteen trained men in his household and went in pursuit. In Genesis Sixteen, "He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and all his possessions, together with the women and the other people".(NIV)

Genesis chapter nineteen, Lot is sitting at the gateway of the City when two Angels arrived at Sodom. He invited them into his house and hosted them. Before they went to bed, the men of the city surrounded Lot's house and asked him to bring his visitors out so they could have sex with them. Lot refused and even agreed to give his two virgin daughters to them instead. While this argument is going on, the Angels reach out and pull Lot back into the house and struck the men outside the house with blindness. They tell him to gather all his relatives because they are about to destroy the land. He went and told his sons-in-law, who thought he was joking and stayed back. So the Angel says to take his daughters present and wife and flee the city. "Flee for your lives, don't look back". But Lot's wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt. 


What lessons can we learn from the life of Lot: 


1. It pays to serve 

Notice how the Bible in Gen 13:5 says, As Abram became wealthy in livestock, gold and silver, Lot also had flocks and herds and tents. 
To get the best from a person you need to serve and Lot was a dutiful servant. As Lot served Abram he was rewarded. It is not enough to only be a relative, his service exposed him to secrets and riches only masters know. 


2. Lot feared God and kept his commandments

Despite being in a land of sin and evil, he didn't comform to the patterns of his environment. That they were all doing it didn't make it right. Lot's household honoured and respected God and that is why despite his anger for the people, God saved him. 

3. Learn to Build good relationships

Not only did Lot move around with Abraham, he must have had a good relationship with Abraham. We read in Genesis thirteen that when the argument first broke out in Bethel, Abram had asked that Lot pick sides first. Though Lot was selfish and took the land that was well watered to himself. Only a good relationship can give such privilege. 

Also, in Gen fourteen, after the four Kings had taken away Lot and his possessions. His uncle, Abraham, took with him men from his household and went in pursuit – to fight trained warriors. If Lot had usually being disrespectful or disloyal during their stay together it would have been impossible to get such favour. This is to teach us to build good relationships with our bosses, friends, and family.

4. Lot was hospitable and discerning

Try to imagine what would have happened had Lot not welcomed those men into his home. More than being hospitable it is important to discern the voice of God when making decisions. What if also the men he had been kind and hospitable to were like the men of the city? Because he was discerning, the Angels rescued him and his household. Even when he hesitated the Angels grabbed his hands and that of his wife and daughters and led them safely out of the City. (Gen. 19:16)

5. Lot saw the need for a Mentor/Intercessor

We cannot talk enough about the benefits of spiritual coverings. The last verse of Gen 19 reads, "so when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived". NIV

For the promise on Abraham's life, God remembered Lot. 

Also, in Genesis 18, when the three visitors got up to leave they informed Abraham first of what the Lord was going to do to Sodom. Abraham stood before the Lord and asked "will you sweep the righteous with the wicked? What if they are fifty righteous people in the city" (Gen 18:23) Abraham stood in the gap before the Lord for Lot.

Conclusion

There are so many lessons to learn from the Life of Lot. And you can do so in Bible study and personal devotion. We'll love to hear from you, what is your take home story on the life of Lot? Have you realized there is more to Lot than his wife turning into a pillar of salt?

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