Untitled Sermon

Choosing Between Right and Wrong

In Genesis chapter 13, we encounter the story of Abraham and his nephew Lot.

This narrative is a profound lesson on the importance of wise choices in our faith journey.

Tonight, I want to compare Abraham to his admired nephew Lot. But before making those comparisons, let us look at Abraham, his life, and his choices.

Genesis 13:1-2 tells us, “And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. And Abram was rich in cattle, silver, and gold.”

As we can see from these passages, Abraham was wealthy and successful.

Why are Abraham’s materialistic blessings mentioned in the first two verses of Genesis 13?

Does this mean that being wealthy is a significant component?

For a clearer understanding of his materialistic blessings, let us go to Genesis 12:1-2 where the Scriptures say, “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing.”

Let’s look more closely at the conditions and the promises of God: (1) There is a condition, and that condition is: “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and thy father’s house, (2) unto a land that I will shew thee.”

We see the conditions.

With every promise, some conditions must be met before the promises are manifested. Abraham met those conditions.

The promises: (1) “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing.”

We can now understand Genesis 13:1-2, where Abraham was blessed materialistically and spiritually.

Abraham Settles A Dispute

Genesis 13:5-9

“And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, herds, and tents. The land could not bear them so they might dwell together, for their substance was great, so they could not dwell together. There was strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle, and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? Separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

Abraham and Lot, bound by family ties, embarked on a journey together.

Along the way, their flocks and herds multiplied, and the land could no longer sustain them.

Faced with this dilemma, Abraham, in his wisdom and humility, gave Lot the first choice of land.

Lot, surveying the lush plains of the Jordan Valley, was enticed by its apparent prosperity and abundance.

Without hesitation, he chose the fertile land, leaving Abraham to dwell in the land of Canaan.

Although Abraham was the older of the two, he agreed to give his nephew, Lot, the first choice of land.

Abraham wanted peace because he believed God would protect him and supply his needs. Perhaps he remembered God's promise to bless him and held firmly to that promise.

The desire for material wealth and comfort drove Lot's decision.

He saw the green pastures and fertile soil of the Jordan Valley and believed it to be the path to success and prosperity.

However, as we delve deeper into the consequences of his choice, we witness the sobering reality of the road he had chosen.

The Jordan Valley, with its proximity to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, was steeped in moral decay and corruption.

Despite its beauty and abundance, it was a place of wickedness and sin.

Enticed by the allure of material wealth, Lot found himself dwelling among a people whose hearts were far from God. His choice led him down a path fraught with danger and temptation, ultimately bringing him face to face with the dire consequences of his decision.

In contrast, Abraham's choice to remain faithful to God's promises led him to inherit blessings beyond measure.

Though the land of Canaan may have seemed less appealing in the eyes of the world, it was overflowing with the abundance of God's grace and favor.

Abraham's trust in God's provision and willingness to obey God's commands paved the way for his prosperity and blessing.

Lot And His Choices

Let’s look at Lot and his choices compared to Abraham.

What land did he choose?

And what were the consequences of those choices?

For a more precise understanding, let us go to Genesis 13:10-12. “And Lot lifted his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; Lot journeyed east, and they separated themselves from each other.

Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom.”

The Bible tells us that “Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot….…pitched his tent toward Sodom.”

What exactly was Lot doing?

And why did he pitch his tent toward Sodom?

Luke 10:12 says, “But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.”

From these passages, we can see that Sodom was a wicked city.

Genesis 19:1-3: “And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, tarry all night, wash your feet, and ye shall rise early, and go on your ways. And they said Nay, but we will abide in the street all night.

And he pressed upon them greatly; they turned to him and entered his house, and he made them a feast, baked unleavened bread and ate.”

Lot is at the city gate, an apparent place for important officials to discuss business transactions and politics.

Lot held an essential position in Sodom.

Genesis 19:16 that, “And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought forth, and set him without the city.”

We learn more about Lot’s character in Genesis 19:4-8. “But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: and they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men who came into thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them. And Lot went out at the door unto them, shut the door after him, and said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. Behold, now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.”

It is clear from these passages that the city of Sodom and its evilness have incorporated itself into Lot, and it now seems logical for him to offer his daughters to strangers!

We can see how delving into sin can become so rampant that it absolves itself into our lives and becomes entwined like a snake wrapped around its prey until it chokes everything good, sensible, and moral out of us.

That’s what has happened to Lot.

This is an illustration of Sodom’s wickedness, a wickedness that was so evil that God wanted to destroy it.

Look at verses 14 and 16: “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed to be mocking his sons-in-law.

Verse 16: “And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.”

In verse 14, it is evident that Lot has compromised his beliefs for those of his surroundings.

He was not a witness to God and didn’t stand up for his beliefs but yielded to his environment.

In verse 16, Lot hesitated, but the angel grabbed his hand and rushed him to safety.

This hesitation suggests that Lot didn’t want to abandon Sodom, its wealth, and what he enjoyed while living in this wicked city.

Comparison

Let’s go to 2 Peter 2:7,8: “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul daily with their unlawful deeds;).

God rescued Lot from Sodom, and though Lot was not without sin, he trusted God, and his life was spared when Sodom was destroyed. Lot is called “just” and righteous.”

Lot's choices caused him to drift into a sinful culture, and its glamour, wealth, and temptations caused him to want to remain there. He made wrong decisions and inaccurate choices, but God intervened. Without his uncle, Abraham, watching him …there is no telling what would have happened to Lot. His story turned out well because of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Scripture References: Genesis 11-14; 19.

Deuteronomy 2:9; Luke 17:28-32; 2 Peter 2:7,8.

Abraham: God promised a nation to Abram (Genesis 12:1-3)

Abraham made mistakes, but God called him righteous. Abraham believed in God. Let’s go to Romans 4:1-5: “What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as about the flesh, hath found? For if works justified Abraham, he hath of which to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed in God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Abraham was a man of faith. Hebrews 11:17 -19 state, “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son. Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: accounting that God was able to raise him, even from the dead; from whence he received him in a figure.”

Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son and give up everything for God. Scrip. Ref. Genesis 22:1-19.

Therefore, the comparison between Lot and Abraham is definite in its conclusion that Abraham made mistakes, as we all do, but he was firm in his faith and belief in God.

On the other hand, Lot compromised his beliefs and made wrong choices, which led him on a path that almost led to destruction.

What about you? What choices have you made? Have you decided to live for Jesus, no matter what the cost? Or have you decided to follow the world and all of its values? You say, "I have made too many mistakes. There is no use in even trying." Listen: God will forgive you. But, you must be willing to let go...and let God. Don’t try to hold on to the world...but decide today that you will follow the Lord!