Origins: The Promise (Genesis 12–25)Sample

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“Then Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him . . . And he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave.” Genesis 19:30 (NKJV)

If you’ve been reading with us for the past several days, you know we’ve seen a lot of Lot! His life is the main focus for most of Genesis 19. But his account is coming to a close, and sadly, his story here doesn’t end well. 

Basically, as Lot is living with his two daughters in a cave overlooking the city of Zoar, something evil happens. Having lost their husbands in the destruction of Sodom, and desperate to preserve their family’s lineage, Lot’s daughters hatch a plan to get him drunk and then impregnate themselves by him. This is precisely what happens (Genesis 19:31-38).

As if that weren’t bad enough, the sons produced by this went on to establish the nations of Moab and Ammon. These countries become enemies of Abraham’s ancestral people, the Israelites. So, as we can see, the situation with Lot is not a legacy to be proud of. 

That would seem to be the end of Lot’s story if it weren’t for the fact that he’s referenced many centuries later as the Holy Spirit inspires Peter to write: “God . . . delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds) . . .” (2 Peter 2:4-8 NKJV).

Excuse me? Is this another Lot we’re taking about? Did Peter, under the inspiration of God’s Spirit, just refer to Lot as “righteous” no less than three times? He did indeed. And this is such a critical point for us to understand. 

Yes, Lot did everything we read about in Genesis. He lingered in Sodom. He ruined His reputation. He left a legacy of shame. And yet, as great as his sins were, there was something greater that defined his life and legacy. 

We can only see Lot’s life from the outside, but the Lord sees past this to the heart. He sees the true inner condition and whether or not a person has repented and placed their faith in His forgiving grace. Evidently, Lot had, which is why he is identified through the New Testament lens of grace as “righteous.”

Don’t misunderstand. This doesn’t excuse Lot’s sin. It exalts God’s grace. The same grace that each of us needs in order to be right with the Lord. In the end, this is Lot’s legacy: an undeserving sinner who has been saved by the grace of God. May the same be true for us, as well!  

DIG: How does our perspective and God’s perspective differ regarding Lot?

DISCOVER: What ultimately defined Lot’s life and legacy?

DO: How might you need to accept the reality that God’s grace is greater than your sin? Write down the truths of Scripture in this area and pray these passages over your life.