I Wonder...

Genesis 13:8-13

Do you ever read the Bible and wish that there was more detail? I do. There are times that I wish the Bible went deeper into the thoughts of some of the people. As I sit thinking today, I wondered about the thoughts of Abram in this story. I know God has His reasons; I am I not questioning His Word. It is perfect and complete. That does not mean that we cannot, or even should not ponder the unknowns. Perhaps some context would be good.

I have thought a lot about kids I have invested in over the years in church. Some of these have been in the church where I taught or pastored, and others have been through church camps. So many have walked away from the truth of God's Word, the truth that I know they were taught, and have embraced the ideas and philosophies of this world. The ones that I have thought about made professions of faith in Jesus as their Savior. Yet, they are advocating for the Marxist ideologies of this world, which are incongruous with the teachings of the Bible. They are advocating for the LGBTQ+ movement, which is contrary to God's standard of Holiness. Some have even embraced the lifestyle. A hot topic this summer has been the overturning of Roe. It is appalling, the number of "Christians" who support taking the life of a child as an acceptable form of birth control. So, you may be wondering, what does any of this have to do with our passage? Let's take a look at it.

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So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. 9Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

10And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. 11Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. 12Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. 13But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

Genesis 13:8-13

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Abram (Abraham) and Lot's herds had grown too big to live in the same area. There was a need for them to separate their flocks. So, Abram gave Lot the choice of which land he could have. Lot looked out over the land and saw that the area around Sodom and Gomorrah was well watered and green. Also, the cities were there. He decided that he could live in the city, rather than out in the country in a tent.

Lot had to make his own decision. Abram's faith was not automatically transferred to Lot. The teaching and example of following God were set before him, but he had to choose to follow God for himself. Given the choice, Lot chose the world over God. The lifestyle of Sodom and Gomorrah was not secret. Lot did not happen into this by accident. Living in that region, everyone would have known about the "city life". Lot knew, but went anyway. Maybe he thought he could resist the temptations. Maybe he simply didn't care. Perhaps the allure of a better life was too great for him. I wish the Bible said more about his thought process.

Another question I have is, "What was Abram thinking"? I wonder if Abram was saying to himself, "Don't do it Lot. Don't go to Sodom. Pick Canaan. Do the right thing. Hold to what I have taught you". Was he thinking anything at all? I wish the Bible told us what Abram's thoughts were during this exchange with Lot.

I wonder if Abram's heart was broken when Lot chose Sodom? Did his heart sink when the choice was uttered? Did he pray a silent prayer for God to draw Lot to Himself? And yet, out of necessity, allow Lot to make his own choice? Abram loved Lot. This is evident from his prayer for mercy in Genesis 18. I don't believe Abram was interceding for Sodom itself, but for the sake of Lot and his family.

I do not have an answer to any of these questions. What I do know is that it hurts to see someone make the wrong choice. It is painful to watch people throw truth to the wind for the sake of convenience, self-gratification, selfish desires, lustful desires, or a refusal to admit that behaviors are sinful. Especially when we know that the consequences of sin are so tragic. Consider what happened to Lot and his family, and then perhaps you can understand why pastor's hearts hurt when we see this.

1. Lot's Sons-in-law died in Sodom. Scholars differ on whether these were married to other daughters or betrothed to the two daughters in the story. Either way, he lost sons-in-law and possibly even daughters, and maybe even grandchildren.

2. Lot lost his wealth. Everything he owned, minus his two daughters was destroyed.

3. Lot lost his wife (Genesis 19:26). She disobeyed, looked back, and was judged.

4. Lot's two daughters got him drunk and had children by him (Genesis 19:30-38).

5. Lot's two incestuous sons became enemies of Abraham.

6. Moab's descendants would worship Chemosh, whose worship included Temple prostitutions and at times human sacrifice.

7. Ben-ammi's descendants (the Ammonites) served Milcom or Molech whose worship included child sacrifices.

Wrong choices have consequences in this life and in eternity. Those consequences can also extend for generations. As a matter of fact, the Bible does not really have anything positive to say of Ammon or Moab. The best thing to come out of either of these nations before they were destroyed was Ruth coming out of Moab. She had to leave her home and embrace the God of Israel. That is our same choice today.

God, so many have walked away from the truth of Your word. I know this should not come as a surprise, but it still hurts when we care about these people. I pray that you draw them to you. Help them see the need for repentance and surrender to You. If we can be a part of that, so be it. If not, I pray that You raise up someone to reveal Your truth to them.