RACAD Genesis 19 Highlights
In the previous chapter, God tells Abraham that a great outcry has been made against Sodom and Gommorah and that He was sending messengers to see if the city truly deserves destruction on account of its sins (Genesis 18:16-21).
At the gate of Sodom was a man apostle Peter describes as righteous man, “oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men,” whose “righteous soul” was “tormented day after day with their lawless deeds” (2 Pet. 2:7, 8).
The question is how Lot could linger on among this perverse people? He had an impeccable pedigree living with his uncle Abraham for many years.
He surely must have seen him build altars and called the name of the Lord. While his uncle chose to live in tents, the desire for the good life(Gen 13:10) did not allow Lot toe the same line as his uncle. He sought to gain his life, but lost it.
Apparently Lot’s conscience troubled him at what he saw around him, although not enough to cause him to flee on his own. He had to be dragged from the city to escape its destruction.
But he suffered tragic consequences for his conformity to the world. Lot was saved, not because of his own virtue, but because of his relationship to Abraham(as shown in verse 29). He could take no earthly possession out of Sodom, thus fulfilling scripture in 1 Cor 3:12-15
“Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire”
As Sodom was destroyed. Lot lost everything he had been working for-his house, his flocks, and his wealth all were destroyed in an instant!
Many believers today are like Lot, trying to live for the best of both worlds (as a believing unbeliever)and in the process lose their identities in Christ.
Being witnesses for christ becomes more daunting because our lives do not align with God’s kingdom and can not win men from the world to turn to Jesus.
Like Lot, we are building earthly kingdoms, making a name for ourselves at the city gates, influential secularly, etc, but with zero stakes in His Kingdom that has no end.
Who knows whether Abraham’s intercession for Sodom not to be destroyed would have yielded result if God could find 10 righteous men in Sodom, won through the preaching of “righteous Lot” if he had preached against wickedness.
This year presents an opportunity for us to reorder our priorities and be kingdom minded for where our treasure is, there will our heart be also. It’s our year of Open door!
