Genesis 14:12
They also took Lot, the son of Abram's brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.
Tag: Proximity to Sin Impacts Us!
Lot, in chapter 13, was given a choice, by his uncle Abram, where he wanted to live. Abram told him he could go left or right and take the land he wanted. Abram would go the opposite way. Note Abram’s exact words:
Genesis 13:9
Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”
What did Lot choose? He choose the riches looking land and the land nearest wicked Sodom. Sodom was, at the time of Lot’s choosing, already wicked:
Genesis 13:13
Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.
Lot choose to live near and in proximity to this wickedness. Suddenly, when Sodom is taken captive by an even more wicked king, Lot is swept up in the fray. the issue here is not that Lot was an innocent victim and/or collateral damage from two kings, in war with each other. Lot wanted to be near the wickedness of they day. He enjoyed it. He took little thought that he might suffer for that decision. When we cuddle up against the world, we ought not be surprised that we suffer for it. As the saying goes, “those who lie down with dogs get flees.” We have to understand that being a believer does not exempt us from the influences of the world. The closer we get to living with sin, the more likely we will suffer from that sin ... if only residually. Abraham had to come and rescue Lot. But, he goes right back to living in Sodom and, eventually, the entire city is destroyed (chapter 19). Lot does not learn his lesson. Regretfully, most of us do not!
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