FEB 18
Genesis 14:1-24
Memorise Genesis 14:22-23
“Blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand”

Lot was in trouble! The armies of the alliance under Chedorlaomer had defeated the armies of Sodom and Gomorrah and their allies. Lot and his family were now taken captive. Uncle Abram was told of this tragic news, and though he was not a military man, he decided to take up arms to rescue his nephew. It was certainly a courageous and noble act on the part of Abram. Lot had already separated from Uncle Abram and chose instead to consort with the sinners in Sodom. Abram did not really have any obligation to help this errant nephew who was but facing the consequences of his mistakes. Yet in an act of great kindness and no small amount of risk to himself, Abram gathered his servants and pursued the army of Chedorlaomer. Though they were probably greatly outnumbered, God was with them, and granted them a swift victory. Abram returned victorious with all the loot that the army had stolen, and also with Lot and his family.

At this juncture, Lot should have realised his mistake and taken the opportunity to return to the Lord. He should have been sensitive to God’s chastisement, to realise that this attack and his close brush with death was God’s warning for him. He should have repented of his wicked ways and returned to the Lord. He should have learnt from the godly example of Uncle Abram, of how he gave all credit to the Lord, and gave tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of God. He should also have learnt the important lesson on separation and holiness, when Abram said “I will not take from a thread even to a shoe-latchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich” (Genesis 14:23).

Yet despite all that, Lot did not change. He returned to Sodom, and continued to dwell in that depraved city. He lacked the courage and moral strength to pull himself out of that wicked place. He continued to imagine that Sodom would be able to offer him a better life. In fact, having gone from just ‘pitching his tent towards Sodom’ (Genesis 13:12), and now dwelling in Sodom (Genesis 14:12), the next time we hear of Lot, he would be sitting at the gate of Sodom (Genesis 19:1), having achieved a certain prominent position there. He completely ignored God’s warning and the opportunity he had to repent, but instead plunged even further into sin. How tragic!

Thought: “The Lord… is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

Prayer: Lord, may I always be sensitive to sin and quick to repent.