30 Amazing Bible Stories You May Not Know
#20 | Shameful Behavior, Amazing Outcome
Lot: Headed Down the Wrong Path | Genesis 13:1-13
Abram and Lot had a great relationship and were greatly blessed.
The most common interpretation of verse 5, Lot, who went with Abram, is that Lot's wealth came from Abram.
Abram, always the gracious one, gave Lot the first choice of land when there was a need to separate.
Verse 9 is taken by rabbis to mean that Abram promised to stay nearby, close enough to continue the relationship and provide help one to another.
Lot chose the best of the land for his flocks. Some speculate that it is not only the land that appealed to him, but the wicked nature of its inhabitants.
…and they parted (v. 11). This again gives subtle hints that Lot is not only leaving Abram, but also Abram's morals and Abram's God.
Verse 13 practically solidifies a negative view of Lot's actions. The wicked nature of the people of Sodom was no surprise to Lot, yet he pitched his tent toward Sodom (v. 12).
Sodom: None Righteous | Genesis 18:20-33
The Lord God had sent three visitors to Abram, changing his name to Abraham, giving him a covenant of land and nation, and promising a son, Isaac, through whom the promises would be kept.
The Lord, through these three visitors, lets Abraham know that Sodom will be destroyed.
Abraham pleaded with the Lord not to destroy the city if there were fifty righteous (v. 24). That number was reduced to 45 (v. 28), then 40 (v. 29), then 30 (v. 30), then 20 (v. 31), and finally 10 (v. 31).
Lot: Despicable Behavior | Genesis 19:1-17
“partially graciously" by Lot. But when scrutinized, Lot is still playing both sides.
Lot seems to know these men are of the Lord (v. 1).
Lot seems to want to keep the hosting of these two men a secret. Jewish scholars insist that the words turn in…unto your servant's house“do not take a direct route, but eventually show up at my place" (v. 2).
Jewish scholars also insist that the words tarry all night, and wash your feet indicate that Lot wanted a plausible deniability for hosting these men. It would have been normal to immediately wash their feet (compare Gen. 18:3-4).
“middle eastern hospitality" (as some do). Lot shows his despicable character in this episode. This likely solidifies his eternal reputation as a dishonorable man.
Verses 9-17 -- The men graciously give Lot and his family an opportunity for survival. The sons-in-law (married to Lot's other daughters) reject the opportunity. Lot tarries until forced to escape.
Moab and Ammon: A Permanent Reminder | Genesis 19:30-38
“bad rap" from this story and defend the daughters, who seem to be the active instigators of the sin.
It appears from verse 31 that perhaps the daughters believed that they were the last three people alive on earth.
Both daughters end up bearing a son from their father.
Moab“of my father."
Ben-Ammi is more subtly named, and“son of my people."
The Moabites and the Ammonites descended from these two, and became oft-enemies of the descendants of Abraham through Isaac.
God's Grace: The Messiah
It is not fully known whether the two daughters believed they were the last two women on earth or whether they simply believed that every woman should give birth to a son.
From Genesis 3:15 onward, the need for childbirth became the overarching purpose of bearing children, until Messiah would come.
What if there had always (and was today) such a worldwide understanding that our world was a mess and could only be fixed by a coming Savior?
Surprisingly, the Lord chooses to use Moab, the ever-humiliated child of his father, to be in the line of the Messiah.
Ruth, the Moabitess, became the wife of Boaz, the grandmother of David, the one through whom Messiah comes!
Making Sense of This Passage
This passage helps explain the desperate need for a child that would cause a daughter to go to any lengths to birth a son.
This passage shows that God is ever-gracious to fallen humanity.
