Great Opportunity, Poor Choices

In the book of Genesis 13-19 records the story of a man that had great opportunities, but continuously made poor choices. There were two primary men in this passage; Abraham and Lot. The story tells about great Patriarchs of the Old Testament, Abraham and his nephew, Lot. This family was on a mission to leave their homeland and travel to Canaan. While in pursuit of this mission Abraham’s father and brother both died, and he takes sole possession of his nephew, Lot. This was an amazing opportunity for Lot as Abraham had no children at the time, no heir in place and Abraham had become very wealthy along the way. Abraham chose to serve God while Lot observed firsthand how Abraham’s devotion to his God preserved him, lead him and blessed him.

There was a day of decision that came to both men. Because of the growing size of their flocks, Abraham told his nephew, rather than be in conflict or competition for pastures—you choose which way you will go, and I will go the other way. Little did either one of them realize the magnitude of each of their decision in their future generations yet to come.

Lot chose the best pastures nearest Sodom and Gomorrah, the wickedest place around. Lot put his dwelling near these cities. After a while, Lot and everything he owned was captured by warring kings. Uncle Abe rescues Lot and his possessions. Where does Lot go? Rather than learning from his previous choice, Lot moves yet closer inside this evil influence. Uncle Abe is warned by Angels that Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed because the wickedness was more than God would tolerate. Again, Uncle Abe intercedes for his nephew—pleading with God to spare the city if only ten righteous were in it. There was not ten righteous in the entire town.

This is when the story starts to get really dicey. Because of Abrahams’s prayers and God’s great mercy, He sends two angels to Lot to give him an eviction notice in order to spare Lot’s family. It did not go well. Not really all that surprising with less than ten righteous in it. By this time the city’s culture had impacted Lot’s mind and spirit to an all-time low Lot had never known while living his uncle.

So, what the outcome for Lot? Destruction. Lot was so comprised with his environment he had to be pushed out of his house by the angels to be saved, he lost his wife through her disobedience, his promised son-in-laws died, Lot begged the angels to relocate him as near to where he was evicted from, and his poor family example led to total depravity with his children.

As if that is not enough, his incestal offsprings headed up the enemies of God: the Moabites and Ammonites. What a disappointment!

What about Abraham? Although not a perfect man, he pursued God’s plan. God kept the promise to Abraham found in Genesis 17:24, “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations”(v 8) And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” What a legacy! Choices do matter.