You Learn Where You Live
Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. Genesis 13:12 NASB
Moved – Lot didn’t start out corrupted. In fact, there are Jewish legends that he attempted to demonstrate a life of righteousness even while living in Sodom. Perhaps he thought that his presence there would positively affect the lives of his neighbors. But it didn’t happen. The opposite occurred. When Lot offers his daughters to the men in order to protect his house guests, he shows that the culture of his surroundings his taken it toll. You learn where you live, and most of us learn to adopt the language, customs, attitudes and behaviors of those we choose to live with. The real tragedy doesn’t stop there. “Despite Lot’s efforts, his descendants become the diametrical opposite of charitable hosts. In their failure to do hesed, Lot’s descendants become the spiritual heirs of Sodom.”[1]
Ziegler is addressing the Torah command to avoid any relationship engagement with Lot’s descendants, the Moabites. She points out that the book of Judges demonstrates God’s own people descending into the chaos of a civilization without hesed. “The trait of hesed is central to the definition of the Nation of Israel. Anyone who bears the trait of unkindness is barred from entering the community of God.”[2] What would God’s “communities” look like if this definition were strictly applied? Would confession of sin matter? Would baptism? Would communion? Would theology or doctrine? If hesed is the defining characteristic, how would your community fare? Have you and I absorbed the character of the place we choose to move toward, not realizing that in the process we are altering our own spiritual constitutions?
Lot never intended to leave behind the values he learned in the company of Abraham. Some of those values were seen in his action of sitting at the gate to welcome any approaching strangers. But something happened during the years of moving toward Sodom. Lot’s original values were reshaped until one day a conflict occurred that vividly exemplified how far he had fallen. We soon learn that the fall radically affected his family as well. Progressive accommodation to domestic decision resulted in eventual exclusion from the kingdom. It took the exemplary actions of hesed in the life of the outsider, Ruth, to restore what Lot lost generations before.
“Everything comes between you and the man you wanted to be.” Is that your desperate assessment? Is it over now, living in the cave of your regrets? Or do you look for the appearance of Ruth, the redeemer, whose hesed will undo what life has done?
Topical Index: hesed, Lot, Ruth, character, Genesis 13:12
[1] Yael Ziegler, Ruth: From Alienation to Monarchy, p. 63.
[2] Ibid., p. 64.
Skip my understanding of this blog may be wrong; if I need to follow these principles I would be running away from my surrounding and community to let them continue doing wrong out of fear that I will be corrupted by it…
Yes, history even in our modern era also proves that our community has an impact on the way we interact with others, but it does not influence the way we keep our families and Godly responsibilities in place. As for sacrificing our children for this cause it is also confirmed by Yeshua to convey the importance of our calling and not our emotional connections or family ties as priority.
What is true is that we must seek out support and strengthening interaction with other like-minded individuals to stay focused on our calling.
Implying running away or ignoring the wrong of society is not a matured approach in Yeshua, neither is claiming others did this because of our understanding of the records. I have heard individuals even claim that Job did wrong when in fact his whole life is proof of commitment towards YHVH as does Lot’s actions reveal…
The question for me should rather be will we stand-up for our convictions as Job and Lot did? I for one believe my conviction and faith in my calling is not that strong – As Gideon I will first seek proof that it is YHVH calling or tasking…
The truth in Lot’s outcome shows other issues you have not mentioned. Where Lot ended up was not a result of his initial choices but the result of Abraham’s disobedience to YHVH instruction. This and the further statement of Lot’s descendants high-lights that we cannot interpret the commandment “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” that YHVH fixes our wrongs unto the fourth generation for the records then reveal this to be incorrect…
So Abraham’s sin did not directly harm him and his off-spring it harmed those he deemed more important than YHVH’s calling… This is the lesson I find in these records.
Thank you for your response to the author. I was confused and found myself questioning some decisions for a moment. Your response was scriptural and appreciated.
I am not sure what you mean by Abraham’s sin affecting Lot. It seems to me that the text makes it clear that Lot made the choice to go straight ahead to Sodom when Abraham left him the options of going right or left. Lot ends up where his own choices take him and the results are the consequences of his decisions, including the brith of his incestuous grandchild. As for the verse about the third and fourth generation, I have lectured on this many times. Please investigate the key verb, translated “visiting” to see that is cannot mean passing the evil consequences of the fathers to the children (Cf. TWOT on this).
Thank you for the response. I have attended one of your lectures on visiting in short implying to set the wrongs right… I would love to agree with this but since Job the bible has revealed a different implication, as well. I will research a bit more as you have recommended.
In an earlier post you elaborated on how Abraham was disobedient when YHVH told him to move to a specific land. I liked this discussion as I never read this in the consequences of choices… God still blessed Abraham and Lot leading to this move….
Now Abraham took Lot with him instead of leaving him in the land of his forefathers… This could have been the reason for Lot’s later decisions. But so could his dedication to house and protect YHVH servants as could Abraham’s choice to take Lot along as he cared for him. I was referring to this possibility.
I agree that Lot’s choices could lead to the consequences… Again if visiting the inequities was to restore why not in Lot’s situation…. or Adam’s as we still endure the consequences of him not fulfilling his iinitial covenant Remind… Or is Nineveh the reality how we should consider YHVH. He deals differently with everyone in similar situations all depending on His purpose. Who are we to even try and understand. We are but to humble unto obedience… The consequences of our choices because we humbled ourselves are not relevant irrespective of how we view them in hind sight… God is the God of the living therefore all we need to do is respond to His calling the best we can now…
I agree that per se Lot was not chosen as Abraham. None the less the records reveal his trust in YHVH. Would this as well as his protection of YHVH servants not imply he sought God’s will in his way of living.
Can we agree to disagree on this specific view as I am still learning and my view may or may not change as I learn more…
“You learn where you live, and most of us learn to adopt the language, customs, attitudes and behaviors of those we choose to live with.” Most certainly that will be the case as environmental influence is a strong factor, particularly on a daily basis.
Reason being it is easier to be drawn in than to draw out, easier to be corrupted and influenced to compromise than to even try to assert your goodness upon those who are set in their characteristic ways.
In Ruth’s case, I guess it’s a restoration for Naomi who has chosen to return to face her shame and embarrassment, and YHWH credited that to her account, and, Ruth was brought into a different environment to where she could experience the chesed of Boaz, and those around her, transforming her.
Corruption is quicker, being sly and deceptive, creeps into one’s life/ lifestyle than to be detoxified (a slow, daily exercise/ process) from it.
Can I assume that Lot hasn’t got a strong disposition to doing right by YHWH’s standards, pointing to him willingly compromised sexually by his two daughters? OR, has he gone so far down the pit of darkness to lose all that he has been taught / brought up with?
So blessed to have chesed as our character trait. It stands out above the rest. It is comforting, reassuring, and strengthening.
Shalom!
In Not Of
Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. (Genesis 13:12)
The Power of Choice
We are in the world, but not of the world. [The commandment is] “Love not the world” (1 John 2.15) Are we then to move to the monasteries? We find “corruption” (or sin) to exist “there” as well. As we all know, “Wherever we go in life.. —there we are!”
Yes, Lot’s circumstances were less than stellar. Community had certainly “caved in” around him. – By the way, we are to be “salt and light!” “Harmless and simple, irreproachable children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation; among whom you appear as lights in the world..”
Sodom and Gomorrah will forever stand as testimonies of the wrath of God toward rampant and wanton sin. Yes, “Toto,” there is such a thing as “immoral behavior” Let’s do a re-read of Romans 1.18-32. As Solomon said, “there is nothing new under the sun.” “Same old — same old.” (Sin that is!). Choices contain consequences! (It is, what it is).
Yes, (location-location-location!) – what then is the answer? It is holy living. “Come out from among them and be ye separate, says the LORD.” And again, “be ye holy, for I AM holy.” Like Father – like son. Are we not also (we are certainly not the “first!”) living in the days of Lot? Are we also “vexed” in our souls by sin as was Lot? Sin will wear you out! (Can I get a witness? Hello.)
And the answer is.. “Greater is He who in you than he who is in the world.” Someone resides within us! Our Savior now abides within! The answer is.. the cross of the Chosen One. When He died, — we died! (Are you listening?) *I am [I have been] crucified with Christ.. nevertheless I live! Yet, (Christianity in a nutshell!) “not I — but Christ!” And? ~ I die.. daily! ~
May I? What is the attraction? What (better, “Who?”) am I drawn to? ~ the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world! ~
Ahh, but what “fun” does a dead man enjoy? Uhh, none? (he is dead!). Draw near, and listen close!! Jesus (who is the) Christ is risen from the dead!! Not only do we share (or identify) in His death, but (here’s the good stuff!) we also share (pardon me while I “glory!”) in His resurrection!! (I’ve got some inside cartwheels and handsprings happening now!) We serve, (still with me?) a Living Savior!! Death is now — a defeated foe!!
May I? “Hallelujah!”
Lot, are you listening?
The Moments That Sustain Us (Charles Stanley from Psalm 1)
The moments that sustain us are those moments invested in true devotion and fellowship with the Lord. Meditation on His Word is the passport to wisdom, innumerable blessings, and unspeakable peace. Yet at its foundation, it is a practical exercise:
Setting aside time. It doesn’t matter the time of day; more important is your frame of mind.
Stillness. Being still before God means minimizing distractions. Turn off the television, the radio, and the phone. Pray for God to quiet your spirit. Silence. Meditation involves active listening. As you pray and read God’s Word, pause to think and listen for His still, small voice.
Seclusion. It is important that you meditate alone, developing a personal relationship with your Father.
Self-control. We have a responsibility to faithfully seek God, not legalistically but in earnest sincerity. We do not have to answer impulses or rush to less important matters during our quiet time. You will learn meditation has several effects. Among other benefits, meditation quiets your spirit, purifies your heart, produces a hunger for God and His Word, increases your view of God, increases your discernment, gives you a clear sense of direction for your life, and confirms or cautions you about counsel you’ve received.
As the scriptures simply state:
[How] “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Amen.
Hello Skip, Carl and others,
Carl, I like your pointing out the advantages of meditation, or as some of us affected by the ministry of Inter-Varsity know it as “quiet time.”
The shift is subtle for Lot, other Bible figures, and us who are confronted with the respective culture in which we live. In church this week, I heard a sermon from Luke’s Gospel where a key theme throughout the book is God’s peace. Four decades ago in a small Bible college I learned the key themes in Luke were seeking and saving the lost. Shaking the dust from one’s feet was to occur if a group or town exhibit disinterest in the message one is presenting. Attraction rather than accountability I fear is the Christian message from many circles today. I have to ponder the idea of showing mercy being the uppermost standard.
Is the emphasis on attraction a culture product? I don’t know. It’s a change in my lifetime though, and dare I say, a new
Gospel.
David R
The Attraction of ADONAI
Inside Issues
~ and if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto Me.. ~
I have often thought to myself (private thoughts?) – What is NOT to love concerning (the) Christ?
Isaiah prophesies: “For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” (Isaiah 53.2)
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider is appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
(1 Samuel 16.7)
Beauty attracts. “Cute” sells. But for those who have or will “look a little deeper,” we will see in our LORD, a perfect heart and a beautiful mind. Little children were attracted to our LORD. — (Why?) “Suffer (let) the little children come unto me and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of God.” There is much to be “inferred” here. Inside issues.
Carl… what we suffer as a result of this perfect heart will not haunt us as YHVH will heal and strengthen through his love and light… The everlasting promise of peace unto those who suffer wrongfully…
“Everything comes between you and the man you wanted to be.” Is that your desperate assessment? Is it over now, living in the cave of your regrets? Or do you look for the appearance of Ruth, the redeemer, whose hesed will undo what life has done?
At my stage in life these are pointed person questions. I’m not sure I have solid answers. Viewing my regrets as a cave is something I hadn’t considered, but it seems to be an apt description. My hope has to be in answering “yes” to the last question. In all honesty, I really need to work these things out in my own mind (heart), relying on the mercy of HaShem. Thanks Skip for those few sentences. Hopefully they will give me a starting point for the conversation.