When Lot managed a safe distance from Sodom, he finally turned to see the dense smoke rising from the city that was once his home. Lot and his two daughters eventually left Zoar and sought refuge in a cave in the mountain.
Left alone from other people, the girls wondered what would become of them. There they were without husbands or children to carry on their name. Their aging father would not long be around, so they decided to lay with him and have children—more distorted thinking from the land of their upbringing.
After getting their father drunk, the first daughter slept with him. The next night, the plot repeated for daughter number two. Eventually both daughters each bore a son. (Genesis 19:27-38 gives you the whole story.) Maybe, like me, you wonder why God chose to save Lot and his two daughters given the bebacles they made. Weren’t they as bad as the people of Sodom?
The two daughters’ sons became two tribes, the Moabites and the Ammonites. If you look at an older map of Israel, you will see that the two areas where they settled were on the east side of the Dead Sea. Lot’s family was not of the line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; therefore, not a part of Israel.
Years later, when Moses’ wandering Israelites were headed toward the promised land, they were told not to bother the people of Moab and Ammon, but to go around them. (Deuteronomy 2:9,19) Later (in Psalms) these two tribes were mentioned as part of the ones who desired to destroy Israel. (Psalm 83)
When I think of Sodom, I can’t help but think how it must have been similar to Noah’s day—overt sexual activity, yes, but likely all sorts of other sin as well—idol worship, lying, cheating, murder, etc. God kept his promise not to destroy all the world again, but only this area.
Even Jesus references Noah and Lot and how people were going about their regular ways. Jesus said that when he returns, two may be working side by side, but one (the believer) will be taken to heaven and the other left. Jesus reminds us to remember Lot’s wife. She wanted to hang on to her sinful life as she looked back. (Luke 17:28-36)
Peter, as well, gives a harsh account of man’s disobedience as he references the people of Noah and Lot’s day who were: “bold and arrogant, never stopped sinning, experts in greed, slaves of depravity.” Well, you get the idea. Quite a blistering indictment. (ll Peter 2:1-22)
As we conclude the account of Lot and Lot’s wife, we are reminded in both the Old and New Testament of these real characters and the evil world around them. Unfotunately, things haven’t changed much, have they? I wonder what God thinks when He looks at the degradation happening in our country. May we be counted among those who continously work toward honoring our Holy God, not dishonoring Him.
(Lots of Scripture for you to study this round!)
~ Joyce ~