Who Was Lot?

Some people simply drift through life. Their choices, when they can muster up the will to choose, tend to follow the path of least resistance. This was Lot, Abram's nephew to the tee.

When Lot was young he lost his father. Though this must have been hard on him, he was not left without strong role models in his grandfather Terah and his uncle Abram, who raised him. Even though he was raised by such strong men Lot didn't develop their sense of purpose. He was so caught up in his present circumstances that he didn't see the consequences of his actions. Without Abram's careful attention and God's intervention it would be hard to imagine what Lot's life would have been like.

By the time Lot drifted out of the picture, his life had taken an ugly turn. He had blended into the sinful culture around him in Sodom that he didn't want to leave it. Then his daughters committed incest with him. His drifting finally took him in a very specific direction which was destruction.

Lot, however is called "righteous" in the New Testament in Peter 2:7, 8. Ruth a descendant of Moab, was an ancestor of Jesus, even though Moab was born as a result of Lot's incest with one of his daughters. Lot's story gives us hope in God's forgiveness and how He brings about positive circumstances even from evil.

Lot when instructed by God to leave Sodom hesitated again for a second. When given a choice his first reaction was again to think of himself. The men sent from God had to take him by the hand and lead him out of the city to safety.

God wants you to be an influence for Him not to just drift through life. What is the direction of your life? Are you heading towards God or away from Him? Are you a drifter or is your life purposeful?

Lot's story is told in Genesis 11 - 14; 19. He is also mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:9; Luke 17:28 - 32 and 2 Peter 2:7, 8.

Content provided in whole or part by IBS-STL Global Life Application Study Bible, NIV.