Righteous man who was unsuccessful – Bro Sahaya Jeyaraj
The preacher took us through the story of Lot in the Bible to explain how a man, though righteous, failed in life because of the choices he made. Lot’s soul was saved but he lost his life.
Lot went along with Abraham when God called him from the place, where he was well-settled in Haran, to go to Canaan the promised land (the promise in Genesis 12:1-3). Genesis 13:5-13 tells us how Lot also went farther south from Egypt with Abraham but they split and Lot settled in places extending till Sodom. In 2 Peter 2:7 Paul said that Lot was righteous. Lot chose the place as it was well-water and the land was fertile land so he would be wealthy and prosperous. He overlooked the danger of wicked people who lived very close by…in Sodom. Ezekiel 16:49-50 describes the sinful nature of Sodom and Genesis 19:4-5 mentions how the entire city came to devour the guests in Lot’s house.
The preacher said that the choice of career is an example of an important decision that can affect the course of our spiritual life. An opportunity may look like God’s blessing but if it takes us away from God, we must not overlook the consequences as we may slowly get pulled down by it. Basing the choice of marriage partner on looks, money, and external things can be equally devastating. Don’t even flirt with sin or come near the boundary!
The preacher continued the story and said that Lot who lived on the edge of Sodom finally started dwelling in the city as the wealth and prosperity attracted him. Genesis 14:11-12 tells us of Lot’s captivity. God gave Lot a chance after Abraham rescued him but he still did not go away from the sinful city. In Genesis 18 God finally decided to destroy Sodom but Abraham pleaded with Him (so as to rescue Lot). Genesis 19:1-2 talks about the angels visit to Sodom where Lot was a leader and betroth his daughters to men in Sodom. He was still righteous but tormented daily by the sin around him (2 Peter 2:6-8). When we live in a place full of sin, we may either become corrupted or tormented. Lot did not have peace but despite this, he wanted to continue living in the wealthy and fertile land. He welcomed the angels, showed hospitality like Abraham, and made them stay in his house. When the ugly situation came, he could have asked God for help but instead made the worst decision to offer his daughters to the lustful men of Sodom. This is an example of how we may lose sensitivity to sin when we are continuously surrounded by it. We can only imagine what the girls and his wife thought of this decision. Sometimes we also make the worst decisions instead of going to the Lord. Instead of going and asking God, we want to take control.
Genesis 19:9 shows us how Lot lost the respect and reputation he commanded (“We will treat you worse”, they said). His daughters would never have treated him as earlier nor could he be a leader anymore or walk about casually. In Genesis 19:13-17 we see that his sons-in-law disbelieve him and refuse to leave the city in wake of the impending doom. Angels helped Lot to escape but he was hesitating to leave the wealth. How many times we do not flee from sin and wickedness just for financial security? Burning sulphur rained on Sodom and even the vegetation was gone. Lot’s wife was still attached to the place and eventually Lot lost his wealth and then his wife. Genesis 19:31-38 reveals how Lot’s daughters who grew up in wicked city got influenced and started following the same immorality. He must have hung his head in shame. We don’t hear of him thereafter in the Bible but he must have lived the remaining life full of regret. Lot’s descendants from the incest were enemies of God who constantly harassed the people of God and were eventually destroyed. Worse may happen to those who make decisions based on outward parameters about spouse, college, house, career, and so on…especially if it has a potential to take one way from God. Don’t make your own decisions in pain or danger but cry out to God for help. Instead of turning back to God, Lot continued and progressively went to sinful surroundings. Don’t continue if you made a wrong decision. His grace and mercy is enough and abounding; He will recreate everything.
We should heed Jesus’ warning in Luke 17:32-33 to remember Lot’s wife and her lot. The choice is with us if want to live in our own strength or surrender to God. We must seek first God’s kingdom. We can either seek God or the world.
Sermon reflection by Shubha