There are few incidents in the Bible as remarkable as the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Within the destruction of Sodom lies the story of what happens to people who turn away from following the Lord to pursue the pleasures of this life. This is the story of Abraham’s nephew, Lot.

When Lot’s father Haran died, his grandfather Terah took Lot, along with Abram and his wife, to Canaan (cf. Genesis 11:28-31). However, instead of going to Canaan, they stopped off in Harran, where Terah died (cf. Genesis 11:32). When Abram left Harran, as the Lord instructed, to travel to Canaan, he took Lot with him. After spending time in Egypt due to a famine in Canaan, Abram and Lot became wealthy. After returning to Canaan, Abram and Lot’s combined herds were too much for the land around them, and quarreling arose between Abram’s and Lot’s herders (cf. Genesis 13:2-9)

Abram graciously allowed Lot to choose where he would go, which is where we first see a problem.

Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom (emphasis added).

Genesis 13:10-12 (NIV)

Out of the entire plains, Lot chose to live near Sodom.

Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.

Genesis 13:13 (NIV)

After some time, Lot stopped living in the plains near his cattle and moved into Sodom. Although Lot suffered while living in Sodom, having been carried away with all of his livestock and family as “plunder,” he still stayed in Sodom (cf. Genesis 14:12). Thirteen years or so after Abram rescued Lot, his family, and his possessions, Lot not only continued to live in Sodom but became a part of its infrastructure as evidenced by these two verses.

The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground (emphasis added).

Genesis 19:1 (NIV)

“Get out of our way,” they replied. “This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door (emphasis added).

Genesis 19:9 (NIV)

Genesis 19:1 and 9 reveal that Lot wasn’t just a citizen of Sodom but also a judge of the city. Likely part of a ruling body of this wicked and sinful city. 

After taking the angels into his house for the night, a shrewd decision revealing Lot’s complete understanding of the ways of the city. We see how far Lot’s moral compass has changed since leaving Abram. 

Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”

Genesis 19:8 (NIV)

Once the two angels decided to destroy Sodom, they had to drag Lot and his family out of the city. 

With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.” When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them (emphasis added).

Genesis 19:15-16 (NIV)

Lot’s wife had such an affection for the city that she turned to look back when it was destroyed and was turned into a pillar of salt (cf. Genesis 19:26). After having lost all his possessions and his wife, Lot moves into a cave. 

Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave.

Genesis 19:30 (NIV)

Finally, Lot, having lost all sense of moral guidance, gets drunk and impregnates his daughters (cf. Genesis 19:31-38). The two children born from this incest became the fathers of the Moabites and Ammonites, who were a thorn in Israel’s side. 

Such is the story of Lot’s fall from wealth to poverty. 

Although Lot was spared from the destruction of Sodom and considered a “righteous” man (cf. 2 Peter 2:7-8), he still suffered through the consequences of his poor choices and ended up leading a defeated life. As Christians, we are saved by grace and faith in Jesus Christ. However, we are still prone to making poor choices that can lead us to live a defeated life here on earth if we’re not careful to keep our hands in the Lord’s hands. Therefore, heed what happened to Lot so that something equally troubling doesn’t happen to you! 

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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