Genesis 19 Compromise Fails

As we read this account of Lot after the account of Abraham’s dialog with God we come away with several lessons. First sin looks beautiful but is ugly in its demands. Second, when we compromise our beliefs, others pay the price as well. Thirdly, God hears and answers prayer for He is compassionate. 

So let’s take this story apart. Lot had looked at the well watered plain and he moved near to Sodom. Next he moved into Sodom. Psalm 1 reminds us that God blesses “the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers.” [Ps 1:1] Lot failed in all areas. First he walked, then he stood, then he sat. His compromising actions leaves us the visions of the destruction of Sodom, the loss of his intended sons-in-law and tragically, his wife and lastly his own daughters who thought incest would be blessed but instead, it became the thorn in the lives of the Israelites for centuries and even today. Moses reminded the Israelites that sooner or later, one’s sin will be found out. Num 32:23 “you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will findyou out.”

Is there anything positive from this account? We can look at Abraham and see how he sought God’s righteous character above all else. God answered his prayer to remove Lot from this situation. We too can pray that God remove the sinners from our presence so that He can bless us and direct our paths in righteousness. Are we praying that today? Or are we like Lot who compromised and lost his family?