In the 12th chapter of the Book of Genesis we find God telling Abram–hereafter called Abraham–to move away from his father’s house (immediate family), his kindred (extended family) and the country (Ur of the Chaldees–Babylon) where his family had lived for generations. However, Abraham’s father, brother and nephew had decided to go with him. Lacking the will to say “no” to them, Abraham allowed them to tag along. Both his father and brother died before reaching what would later come to be known as the Promised Land. However, Lot–his brother’s son–remained alive and in his company.

Recall that God had said to Abraham that he must separate himself from ALL OF HIS BIOLOGICAL BRETHREN AND HIS COUNTRYMEN “… and (THEN) I will make YOU, not Lot, a great nation.” Notice that God made promises to neither Lot, Abraham’s father nor or his brother (Lot’s father). As the Scriptures point out, Lot caused a number of problems for Abraham. There was the question of water rights which Abraham had to settle. Then there was the problem of grazing areas. Both men were wealthy in cattle and the land they had come to could not support both of their herds. Abraham, being the kind man he was, gave Lot the choice of grazing areas. Lot chose the best of the land. Two of the cities located in the prime grazing area were Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot would eventually establish his residence in Sodom, which causes one to question his moral integrity.

No sooner had Abraham settled into his living area than Sodom was attacked and Lot, his family and possessions were captured and carried off into slavery. Once again Abraham was forced to come to Lot’s rescue, which he did without complaint.

Going back in time, let us turn to Genesis 13:14-17 where we find these Words: “And the Lord said to Abraham AFTER LOT WAS SEPARATED FROM HIM, ‘NOW lift up your eyes and look from where YOU are to the north, south, east and west. For all the land which YOU see I will give to YOU and to YOUR SEED FOREVER. And I will make YOUR SEED as the dust of the earth …. Arise and walk through the land in the length and breadth of it, for I will give it to YOU.'” Note that there was no mention of Lot.

We all know the story of how Abraham was forced to intercede for Lot and his family in order for them to survive the destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah and the other cities of the plain which apparently were as wicked as the two featured cities in that God destroyed them also. While those cities were burning Lot was impregnating his two daughters who believed that the entire world was going up in smoke and that there would be no men left on earth who could take them as wives.

God is specific. Those who have ears to hear and eyes to see what He says in His Holy Bible know this and are careful to believe and obey His every Word. Recall that Jesus said that God’s true saints would live by “… EVERY WORD that comes from the mouth of God.” Let us do so. Let us pay attention to detail when it comes to obeying the Lord. Only those who do so will qualify for salvation when His Son returns to earth to establish His kingdom. L.J.