Connecting Scriptures:  Genesis 19:17-28, Ezekiel 16:49, Acts 7:5, Romans 9:3-8

Todays scripture shows us that you can get really close to goodness and God’s promises, and completely walk away.  You can miss it.  Lot, while a grown man, was apart of Abrams family.  I am sure Abram was like a surrogate father to Lot after his father and grandfather died.  But, he was also his own man.  God made the covenant with Abram, not Lot—though Lot was in a position to benefit from those promises based on his proximity to Abram.  

Abram was rich and continued to gain wealth as he traveled in and around Canaan.  Lot did too.  So much so that when they made it back from their “escape from famine” trip to Egypt, they didn’t quite fit in the same space together as they had left.  Tensions with the shepherds and those in charge of their mighty wealth were getting high.  Abram, in wisdom and humility, gave Lot options.  Abram served Lot by giving him freedom to choose what would serve his branch of the family tree best.  His choice?  What looked good to his eyes.

While the Jordan valley was lush (like the garden of Eden it is compared to in life giving possibility) and it was inhabited, it was outside of what would be the promised land.  It had a beautiful view, but a horrible spiritual position.  Perhaps Lot had loved the ways and lifestyle of Egypt too well (we see he compared his chosen home because it reminded him of Egypt), for he chose what looked good, not what was godly.  But, who knows?  Maybe it was really just good land for cattle—I know God wastes no words or spaces to move an account along, there is something we can glean from the heart of Lot in his decision here.

Lot was close to the promises of God, but he chose to walk away into what would be the destruction of his family.  He chose a city that looked the part to make him happier than the cramped shared tent of Abram (to whom were the promises).  He chose a place that was so evil at its core, so anti-god, that in a handful of chapters God would utterly destroy it with fire.  Being “promise-adjacent” doesn’t guarantee you any claim on the promise of life and blessing.  Just like being born on a church pew and attending every service and event doesn’t make you belong to God—the promise has to be personally accepted.  

We know that Lot made a separate choice apart from Abram because of what each man did when they parted.  The LORD reaffirms his covenant with Abram in verses 14b-17, moving him farther away from Lot, and then Abram responds with worship.  He built an altar at his new home.  It does not say that Lot built any altar to worship the God of his uncle.  He could have.  He must have seen it lived out in Abram, but not chosen it for himself.  The gift of grace was not given to Lot and this is a tough thing to grasp.  In these times when we may ask, “Why Abram and not Lot?”, we must tether ourselves to God’s character.  He is good and His heart can be trusted.  

Questions for Reflection:

1.  How does Lot’s choice contrast with Abram’s faith and perspective (Lot’s lust of the eyes vs. Abram’s humanity and peace seeking)?

2.  How does Lots example show how a person can be close to the truth, but miss its blessings?