You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘Lot’ tag.
“So now if you are going to deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, let me know, that I may turn to the right hand or the left.” Gen. 24:49
Abraham’s servant has now spoken his business, explaining his desire to take Rebekah back to Isaac to be his wife. He has journeyed long, he is tired and hungry, but everything is hanging on what Laban is about to say, thus the servant’s words here may seem a bit curt.
What he is essentially saying is “Let me know your decision now, because your answer will determine my next steps.” Now we know Abraham had told his servant that he would be free from the oath if the woman would not follow him; but Rebekah is not necessarily the only choice; it could be any woman from Abraham’s family.
Utilizing the concept that the default direction in scripture is always east, Rashi’s commentary notes that Lot lived to the north, while Ishmael lived to the south. Thus when the servant said “that I may turn to the right hand or the left” he may well have been saying that he needed to move on to other prospects for Isaac.
“So the man entered the house. Then Laban unloaded the camels, and he gave straw and feed to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him.” Gen. 24:31
Previously we noted Abraham served three angels (Gen. 18), and Lot put up two angels for the night before the destruction of Sodom (Gen. 19) and so we know Laban has grown up in an hospitable family. To make food and lodging preparations for upwards of ten men, their belongings and the camels, would be no quick task on short notice, when you live in a time without grocery stores or refrigerators. Slaughtering animals for food takes time; as does harvesting and cleaning fruits and vegetables.
Unfortunately it is difficult to determine Laban’s motive in this case. It is also difficult to ignore that the scripture tells us of Laban’s noticing the ring and bracelets in conjunction with his welcoming the servant. Our perception may also become skewed when we consider Laban’s dealings with Jacob some years from now.
If Abraham’s servant showed up alone and unremarkable, instead of with a small company of men bearing gold and other gifts, would Laban have treated him the same way? When we cannot know the answer to the question, perhaps it is best to ask ourselves what we would do.
The scriptures were given to us to shape us, test and challenge us, and grow us spiritually. They were made for pondering and for reflection. And while the Old Testament tells us the story and allows us to arrive at a conclusion on certain matters, the New Testament writings are much more direct on this point. There are several passages that speak against favoritism toward the rich. (James 2:1-7; Luke 14:12-14; 1 Tim. 5:21, and others.)
“Then the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of the earth. “Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him that we may preserve our family through our father.” So they made their father drink wine that night, and the firstborn went in and lay with her father; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. On the following day, the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine tonight also; then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve our family through our father.” So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger arose and lay with him; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.” Gen. 19:31-35
In our modern time, it is in our nature to be appalled by such things as incest, however the scriptures do not condemn or applaud the fact that Lot’s daughters sleep with him. Instead the text remains neutral, merely offering an explanation as to why it happened, and attempting to absolve all of guilt.
First we must consider that in their culture at that time, continuing the family line was very important, much more so than today. This explains, at least in part, why Lot’s daughters would even consider such a plot.
Second, surely all involved were familiar with the story of Noah and how from just a few persons the earth’s population had to be replenished. So great and sudden was this destruction that Lot’s daughters did not know the extent of it and expected the worst. Verse 31 informs us that Lot’s daughters thought Lot may have been the only male left alive, and as such the only path through which procreation could occur. We see in verse 14 that their husbands did not believe destruction was coming and thus they were left behind and destroyed.
Third, they enticed Lot to drink and become drunk. This at the very least tells us that Lot would not have willingly taken part in their plan while sober. Scripture seems to do its best to preserve Lot’s innocence. Though we do observe that the scenario happens twice – two nights in a row his daughters get him drunk and one of them sleeps with him. This seems to leave a moral gray area, as if Lot had any suspicion of the previous night’s happenings, he would have likely avoided drinking wine the next eve. Also note that Lot likely understood the destruction was not global (v. 13), so Lot would know he was not the only male left, though his daughters did not know this.
A popular teaching in Christian circles is that Lot was “backslidden” in his faith and thus his morals were compromised. I find this curious because the scriptures do not teach this; in fact, despite what potential evidence is in the Hebrew scriptures to this effect, 2 Peter in the New Testament specifically refers to Lot as being righteous, and even distressed about the wickedness around him while in Sodom. Though even if someone is called “righteous”, it does not mean they have never sinned, but I am not sure the lesson here is about Lot being backslidden.
Perhaps the lesson to be gleaned is to be careful with your words. It Lot’s case, he offered his own daughters to the town mob. Whether he was jesting or not, we do not know, however we do know that Lot himself ended up sleeping with his own daughters.
“Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.” Gen. 19:29
Popular Jewish opinion seems to be that this verse means Lot was saved because of Abraham. If so, it means that Lot may not have been saved by his own righteousness. However this seems at odds with 2 Peter 2:7 in the New Testament which refers to “righteous Lot”.
One may take the Cavlinistic view that Lot was among the chosen since before the foundation of the world, and the others living in Sodom and Gomorrah were not.
One may also take the view that this statement by Peter was merely his opinion and his own interpretation of who Lot was from the scriptures as he understood them. This would be difficult however, for those who hold that all of scripture is inspired of the Holy Spirit and is therefore infallible.
Lot is not the only person in scripture shown favor by God though they were sinful. Consider Moses, a murderer. Consider King David, an adulterer and a murderer. Consider Paul, a persecutor of the church.
Perhaps Lot is innocent even. Of we would have against him, all could arguably be explained away.
- First in Gen. 13 Lot chooses the best land, described like “the garden of the LORD” (Gen. 13:10). We could see this as covetous, but what if Lot is merely choosing the land closer to the cities because he knows Abraham is older, and likely prefers to live away from the cities?
- Lot chose to move to Sodom. Was he tempted by wickedness, or was he trying to be a witness of God in that dark place?
- In chapter 20, Lot drinks wine and becomes drunk, to which one could respond that A) his daughters gave him the wine, he did not seek it himself, and B) Lot may have allowed himself to become drunk because of the terrible ordeal he was just through, which includes losing his wife. Note that after the flood, Noah became drunk from wine as well. (Gen. 9:21).
- Lastly we see Lot’s daughters plotted to sleep with him while drunk, to become pregnant (Gen. 19:31-32). Perhaps Lot was truly so drunk that he is without guilt in his actions. However scripture does tell us the same happened again with his other daughter the very next night.
The answer may simply be that Lot was not unrighteous, but Abraham was considered more righteous than Lot. Consider that we see the people of Zoar, who were unrighteous, are saved on account of Lot (19:21), who would be considered more righteous than they. And so it is not inconceivable that Lot was saved on account of Abraham, if by degrees, Abraham were more righteous.
“Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die; now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved.” Gen. 19:19-20
Previously called Bela (Gen. 14:2), Zoar was the smallest of the five towns of the plain. Lot may have thought he could not have made it any further by the time destruction would come. The angels spare Zoar from destruction on account of Lot (v. 21) though Lot ultimately heads to the mountains.
Robert Alter notes that Lot was not up for attempting to live in the wilderness having become accustomed to the city life, and only ultimately heads to the mountains for fear of destruction.
“But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the LORD was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city.” Gen. 19:16
Lot hesitated when the angels told him to leave. Lot’s sons in law thought he was joking, and they were left behind. Lot’s wife turned back while escaping, and was killed. Lot hesitated, but was spared. Why? “…the compassion of the LORD was upon him.”
“Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. 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.”” Gen. 19:6-8
One moment Lot seems righteous and then the next moment wicked. Ironically he is admonishing the mob outside his door not to act wickedly. This could be hypocritical, or it could be that the place is so wicked, that what Lot is offering, comparatively, is not as wicked as the men wanting to have relations with the angels.
One view is that the homosexual act was merely a punishment against unwanted visitors to Sodom. If so, perhaps Lot could call their bluff, believing the townspeople were not actually interested in his daughters in the slightest, but rather a brief diversion to get the townspeople to calm down and consider their request with some rationale. Unfortunately it only further incited them. Without this view, it is somewhat difficult to reconcile this passage with 2 Peter 2:7 in the New Testament which refers to Lot as being righteous.
Even so, the mob is not interested in Lot’s daughters, or Lot himself, which infers that the issue is directly with the town’s visitors. When the mob stopped and reflected however, they turned on Lot, as he was a stranger not long ago himself (v. 9).
In verse 8 note the reference to hospitality (“they have come under the protection of my roof”). Hospitality is a theme in chapters 18 and 19, as well as an illustration in contrasts; Abraham provided wonderful hospitality to these same angels in Gen. 18, but we see the terrible treatment they receive in Sodom.
“Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.”” Gen. 19:1-2(a)
In Genesis 18, three angels visit Abraham, at least two of them depart in 18:22 and head toward Sodom, and here we see them entering the city. Plaut, in his commentary, notes that the distance is too far for men to travel within the short time allotted (about 40 miles in an afternoon from what I can gather) but as they are angels this distance is not an obstacle.
The angels come as witnesses to seal the guilt of Sodom. Just as God came down to witness the tower of Babel in progress (11:5), the same is done here as God declares in 18:21, to confirm if the wickedness is truly worthy of judgment.
Lot is sitting in the city gate. This implies he held some prominent position within the city. Generally even those that are wicked recognize virtue in those that are more righteous, and this likely caused Lot have to favor with the town elders. We know Lot himself was a sojourner, as he and Abraham were probably born in Ur, and we also know that Sodom was not typically fond of strangers, so Lot had to overcome this with the Sodomites. The fact that Lot had much property (Gen. 13:5-6) probably aided his position since he could help the local economy, instead of strain it as someone less fortunate may.
Lot rises to meet them and bows, and offers them to stay at his house and wash their feet before continuing on their journey. Note the parallels with Genesis 18:1-4: Abraham is at the entrance to his tent (Lot at the entrance to the city), Abraham also bows, invites the angels into his place, and offers water to wash their feet. In both cases a feast is also prepared. As Lot was raised in part by Abraham, it appears he learned about hospitality from Abraham, though hospitality was an important aspect of the culture at that time.
Lot’s quick offer of hospitality may have been natural reaction, but may also have been done in concern for the angels’ safety. Lot knew the men of the city were wicked. He also implies the angels would need to be on their way early in the morning, perhaps so no one would find out he helped them out.
Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? “Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? “Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.” And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. “Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.” Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place. Gen. 18:23-33
The remainder of chapter 18 shows Abraham seemingly trying to reason with God about the destruction of the righteous along with the wicked with regards to Sodom and the surrounding cities. According to Robert Alter’s commentary, the terminology used in the Hebrew implies that of a courtroom scene. Notice Abraham’s demeanor as the conversation with God continues, he gets more sheepish and afraid to continue as he goes on.
This is a passage that we find interesting topically, but becomes fascinating when you delve deeper. What did this conversation even occur? What was Abraham’s chief concern, that he would be so bold as to plead with God?
Was it Abraham’s expectation of mercy from a God who was ready to execute judgment? Abraham likely realizes he may not have the power to change God’s mind, but perhaps Abraham is looking for peace of mind himself – that he wants to believe God’s mercy can trump his judgment except in the worst of cases – and hopefully Sodom isn’t this bad.
Was Abraham merely concerned for the safety of Lot, and not necessarily the others? Various commentaries I’ve read mention that 10 is a base unit for a society, and we are dealing with five cities of the plain (Sodom and Gomorrah were just the two major cities). So by Abraham starting with the number 50, he may have been inquiring from God if he would spare a given city if that city had at least ten people in it. The bargaining also stops at ten. This would seem to imply that Abraham does have a genuine concern for the sinners in those cities, hoping the merit of the few could cause the rest to be spared.
It is quite curious that Abraham does not bring up Lot, who lives in Sodom. Obviously Abraham is concerned for Lot’s life, as Abraham spent a good portion of his life raising Lot. Perhaps Abraham does not know if Lot is considered wicked or righteous in the eyes of God, and feels approaching God about Lot directly may not be the best angle, thus he avoids mentioning Lot altogether. In this case his argument with God may have merely been to hope God would change his mind to save Lot’s life based on hoping there were enough other righteous people in the doomed cities. We must remember that Abraham already intervened to save Lot once (Gen. 14), and perhaps felt this was Lot’s due judgment, as we see Abraham does not attempt to physically interfere with trying to save Lot again himself.
Or yet still, was God testing Abraham’s sense of righteousness? Whether Abraham would say “sure, let them all burn!” or searching Abraham’s heart to find if it contained compassion?
In the end, God saved Lot and most of his family, appeasing Abraham’s concern. This alone does not reveal to us if Lot and his family were actually righteous, or if God was just using the convenience of moving them out of the city to procure their lives (save for Lot’s wife who turned back.) Ultimately 2 Peter 2:7-8 in the New Testament tells us that Lot would have been counted among the righteous.
Pondering Scripture 
Genesis 25:7-8 – Abraham is Gathered to His People
August 13, 2011 in Bible, Genesis Commentary | Tags: Abraham, abundance, Bible, Genesis, Genesis 25, Jesus, Lot, Messiah, Sarah, Terah | by jhonse | Leave a comment
“These are all the years of Abraham’s life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years. Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people.” Gen. 25:7-8
Just as with Sarah, we see some redundancy in the language used mentioning their death, drawing us instead to their abundance of life. In this case, it tells us of the “life” that Abraham “lived”, and goes on to inform us he was satisfied with life. Jesus the Messiah told us He came that we might have life and have it abundantly, and I believe some of the patriarchs (and matriarchs) of the faith embodied this.
Although Abraham lived 175 years, we only know part of the story of his life; the most significant of which happens within only a 25 year period. Genesis chapter 12 introduces us to an already 75-year-old Abraham (Gen. 12:4), and the long awaited birth of Isaac happens at age 100 (Gen. 21:5). Things like this should be a reminder that we do not know the whole story, it is not all recorded either in the bible or the Talmud.
These verses are likely not chronological, but rather the death of Abraham is probably mentioned earlier in the scriptures for sake of a concrete ending, allowing the narrative to move on.
Last we see that Abraham was ‘gathered to his people’. This phrase is used multiple times in the scriptures, but what exactly does it mean here?
As Abraham just bought a family tomb (the Cave of Macpelah, where only Sarah is buried thus far), it cannot simply mean he will be buried with those who went on before him. As for Abraham’s close family, we know of his nephew Lot, his father Terah, and his brothers Nahor and Haran. If this is speaking of Abraham going to be with those who died before him, this may cause us to pause, as Abraham was obviously the one following God most closely; Terah was an idolator, and Lot picked up what he could from Abraham but it did not stop him from making bad decisions in his lifetime. If we envision a spiritual afterlife, I would say many of us would not necessarily picture Abraham in the presence of these family members, yet it says ‘gathered to his people’.
Verses like this should challenge our understanding of what we think happens when people pass on, based on their beliefs and actions in this life.