Abram's nephew, Lot, became very wealthy in Canaan, just like his uncle. His herdsmen and those of Abram often disputed with one another over grass and water for the livestock. It reached the point finally that there was the danger of an open rift between the two kinsmen. Rather than have that happen, Abram called Lot to him one hot day.

"Nephew, you are my close kinsman, and I have no wish that we should ever be split apart by a dispute over water or grass. It is obvious that the land cannot support both of us at once, in the same place at the same time. Look around; from up here you can see a great part of the countryside. You pick where you want to go, and I'll go in the opposite direction. The choice is yours."

Lot looked around, staring out over the stark hill country, then shifting his gaze to the fertile plains of the Jordan below. To him the choice was obvious.

"I'll go there," he said, his hand stretching toward the cities of the plain. "My flocks will flourish there, and there is more than enough room for me and the local herdsmen there."

Abraham nodded. "Very well, brother's son, but be careful. Too much comfort and ease can corrupt."

Lot shrugged, unconcerned. The very next day, he set out with his herds, bidding his uncle a polite but not too affectionate farewell. For a while, he lived in a tent, near his flocks and herds. Soon, however, his eyes turned toward the city of Sodom, the very place of ease and comfort Abram had warned him about. He began to frequent the city gates, where the men gathered to talk, trade tales, and settle disputes. Life in the tents lost its appeal, and Lot moved his wife and two daughters into a house within the city walls. His daughters began looking with longing on the local men, and Lot did not try to discourage their interest. Each of them married a man of Sodom, both worthless fellows.

Not long afterward, there was war between the cities of the plain and the powerful king to whom they had pledged allegiance. The king, Chedorlaoner, came with his allies, and crushed the rebellion, taking away many captives and much loot, including Lot and his possessions. When Abram heard that Lot had been taken, he gathered his own men and his allies, and pursued the enemy king. God gave him victory, and he rescued Lot and all of the other people and treasure from the cities of the plain. He refused any reward for himself, but did allow some of the loot to be distributed to his allies.

The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, the chief cites of the area, were extremely wicked, indulging in every imaginable form of perversion. Lot's presence among them made no difference, and neither did Abram's help in rescuing their people and treasure. God's patience with them finally ran out, and the time of judgment came. He visited Abram, and one of the things he told him was his plan to destroy the wicked cities. Abram was very concerned about Lot, and pleaded with God to spare the cities if only as few as five righteous men could be found. To this the Lord agreed, but there were not even that many righteous men in the cities. God had no intention, though, of letting righteous Lot perish along with the wicked citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Two angels accompanied the Lord to Abram's tents. They went on alone toward Sodom, arriving there in the evening. Lot saw them when they arrived, and knew immediately they were messengers from God.

"Come with me," he urged, "and I'll let you spend the night."

"We'll just sleep in the street," one of the angels said. "We'll be fine."

"Please don't," Lot pleaded. "It is not safe there. This city is a very dangerous place at night."

They finally agreed, and followed him to his house. No sooner had they arrived than a crowd of men from the city gathered outside Lot's door.

"Send those men out to us," they shouted. "We want to rape them."

"Please don't do this wicked thing," Lot pleaded with them, from outside his door. "These men are my guests. Take my daughters instead; both of them are here with me."

"Who made you a judge over us," they shouted back. "We let you live among us, now you want to tell us what to do. We'll tear you to ribbons!"

The two angels pulled Lot back inside the house, and struck all of the crowd of men blind. Their cries of lust were replaced by shouts of terror, as they groped about trying to find their way.

"Get your things together," the angels warned Lot. "The stench of this place, and the other cities like it, have reached God, and we will destroy all the wicked cities of this plain when the morning comes."

Lot went out, and tried to persuade his sons-in-law that they should prepare to leave as well. "God is going to destroy this place," he said. "You must leave with us." They laughed at him, and all of his efforts to convince them were in vain.

When morning came, the angels told Lot he must hurry. He didn't want to go, trying to make excuses for delay. The life of comfort he enjoyed had indeed become a snare to him. Finally, the angels grabbed him and his family, and literally dragged them out of the city.

"Go into the hills," the angels told him, "and don't look back."

"But, no Lord," Lot pleaded. "We'll die up in the hills. That city over there is just a little one. Surely you can spare it, so we can find refuge." He was still not ready or willing to give up his life of ease. From that day on, the city was called Zoar, meaning "Little."

"All right," the angel said, "but hurry. We can do nothing until your safe, and God means to destroy this place."

When they were well away from the city, God began to rain down fire and burning sulfur on the city. Lot's wife, overcome by curiosity and regret, forgot the angels' warning, and looked back. Immediately, she was changed into a statue of salt. Lot and his daughters were horrified, but continued plodding on, their eyes directed to the hills ahead. Lot was afraid to go to Zoar after all, and went on into the hills, where he found a cave.

There, his two daughters, fearful they would never have husbands to carry on their father's line, got him drunk, and went to bed with him. Each of them became pregnant, and their children became the founders of the nations of Ammon and Moab.

JESUS IS the Bridge Ministries

Lot's Way