The Lot Of Things

Lot and his wife were in a place of unrest and turmoil. Where they lived wasn't safe, but they maintained their lives. The story never mentioned Lot and his family planning to leave before the angels appeared. So, the angels were an interruption to their norm.

When confronted with an angry mob who wanted to have sex with the angels, Lot offered his daughters who'd never been touched. Lot made it clear that the angels, strangers he'd never met before, had more value than his own daughters. Where was Lots wife in all of this? Did she not see this? Here we have a mother with a normal lifestyle, interrupted by a dilemma created by a task God ordained for the people who visited her home. Lot made a decision, beyond his control, to sacrifice his heart by offering his two daughters to an angry mob of people who wanted to rape the angels.

Who was Lots, wife? What was her name? Lots wife had been wronged; she'd been disappointed and caught off guard as a result of something God-ordained. Was Lots wife and daughter bait for the plan of God? What about the promises of God? What about His perfect will and pleasure to see us prosper? The depth of humanity comes from the availability of choice. At times, God could expose us to the work needed in the earth; however, there are times when what we are connected to may affect our involvement in the necessary work. So here we have the plan of God, which was to find at least ten people in the city of Sodom that were righteous, and God would save the city.

Here we have a similar encounter handled two different ways. The angels were passing through when they arrived at Abrahams's house to get to Sodom. Both Abraham and Lot welcomed the angels into their homes, washed their feet, and fed them. I find it interesting that there was more detail in Abraham's hospitality towards the angels. Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk and the calf which he had dressed and set it before them, and stood by them under the tree and they did eat. Lot’s preparation for hospitality found in Genesis 19:3, And he pressed upon them much, and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house, and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. There is a common theme between the differences of one brother responding to God's calling to another. The description of Abraham's substance given to the angels was more intimate than his brothers.

The second different thing was that God spoke directly to Abraham, and Lot was only given access to communicate with the angels. There was a special connection between Abraham and God; then there was with Lot and God. Abraham handled the presence of God differently than his brother, and Abrahams's intimacy with God provided a different type of audience with God. Before the angels arrived, in Genesis 18:1 And the Lord appeared unto him in the plans of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. Abraham was so familiar with the face of God that Abraham could recognize God in every situation. God won't show up unless we have a desire to see Him. Abraham understood the presence of God before the trial. Lot, on the other hand, referenced the angels as Lord as he had no connection to God before the provocation of God's anger towards Sodom. Building a pure connection with God provides a different life path. God responds differently to those who know and fear Him. Abraham's welcome to the angels was filled with love. Genesis 18:5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou has said.

When you are connected to God, your perception targets the distribution of love to the world. Thus, there was significant variation in the way both men responded to the situation regarding their families. The angels inquired about Abraham's wife, and they did not ask about Lot’s, wife. Sarah had a name, and no one knew who Lot’s wife was. I believe this was the case because of Abraham's connection to God. Anything connected to Abraham was blessed because of his heart towards God. The angels left a blessing with Abraham's wife because of his hospitality towards them and Abraham's intimacy with God. So many preachers have made the distinction that Abraham was blessed because he was chosen. Abraham was blessed because he decided to be intimate with God; thus, God had access to Abraham's will through love. Would you send a person on a task who didn't listen to or know who you were? Would you trust a person you didn't understand with the heart of a nation? It was Abraham’s decision to be with God that invited the favor of God.

But the angels focused on the lack in Abraham's life. The thing Abraham could do nothing about. When we find ourselves in difficult situations, how we handle the situation will determine the level of abundance we are given access to. How we handle the silence of God, or when our prayers aren't answered, will define the value of God to us. Nevertheless, I will press towards love and peace no matter the outcome of any request made to God. I think God watches to see if you find satisfaction in Him alone. In you God, I live and have my being…..

Genesis 18:9AMP, Then they said to him, "Where is Sarah, your wife?" And he said, "There in the tent." He said, "I will surely return to you at this time next year; and behold, Sarah, your wife, will have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door, which was behind him.

Abraham was able to serve with love, even though he found himself without a son. How many times have we carried a salty disposition because we didn't get what we wanted? But Abraham's heart generated a different path after the visitation of the angels.

Sarah's response.

Genesis 18:12 AMP, So Sarah Laughed to herself (when she heard the Lord's words), saying, "After I have become old, shall I have pleasure and delight, my lord (husband) being also old?"

Naturally, we tend to take the miracle of God as a joke because our logic can't comprehend the acts of God. Sarah laughed, and when the angels asked why she laughed, she denied it. She feared the Lord…..but she questioned this proclamation, why? Sarah thought herself incapable and unworthy of the blessing because of her experience. What she'd seen in other women and what she knew of her own capabilities at such a young age. But the angels answered her laughter…

Genesis 18:14 Is anything too difficult or too extraordinary for the Lord? At the appointed time, when the season (for her delivery) comes, I will return to you, and Sarah will have a son. In verses 18-19, God has a conversation with Himself. God recognizes and affirms Abraham with one thing, His secrets. God also acknowledges Abraham's great calling, but God acknowledges Abraham as His own. Abraham belonged to God, not because God forced Abraham to belong, but because of Abraham's desire for God.

Here we have two different responses to two different men. They both had a different connection to and with God; thus, God responded differently to both families. Lot offered his daughters as a sacrifice as opposed to providing himself in relationship to and with God. There is no description or evidence that Lot had a relationship with God. Lot reverenced what he saw, and to find favor with the angels, his offering was received differently and produced different results. Lot's wife is an example of what it means to be in a tumultuous situation without intimacy with God. Lot was willing to sacrifice his own seed to calm the storm or to try and prevent harm. Abraham created a safe space with love for the angels; therefore, Abraham's proximity to the storm was safe. I think Lot’s wife didn't have a name because it was not necessary. Lot's wife represents the consequence of his responses. Lot tried doing things on his own and with his logic. Lot didn't consult with God, and God was not with him before the angels showed up. That's the thing when our desire for God only exists after trouble presents itself, we will live a life of reaction and not responding. Lot's wife endured a great deal in a short amount of time under the leadership of a man who wasn't intimately connected to God.

The result of Abraham's devotion to God was the seed that turned into Jacob. Even though Sarah responded without tact at hearing the miracle to come, God responded with His presence still. Even though Sarah didn't believe Abraham's love for God covered her. The offering of his return once the child was born is another declaration of love from God to Abraham. It's as if God was saying, not only will I bless you, but I will show up to remind you that I told you I'd bless you before it happened. This reminder was an attempt from God to build faith in Abraham.

In this instance, I wish to explain this story in a different light. Sarah and Lot's wife represent the ground that the seeds of our responses generate. Abrahams investment in God resulted in a child when they couldn't have children. Lot’s lack of investment in God caused Lot’s wife to have a salty experience. When I think of Lots wife looking back at the city to see it destroyed represented something powerful. When we carry anger and frustration from an unfair situation, it's a slow death to our spirits. Being stuck in a space where we feed our negative response, even though it may be warranted, our responsibility to let things go affects our lives' quality. And then, no one even knew who Lot’s wife was because she allowed herself to get stuck in a mental space where she needed validation for Lot's choice to leave the place where the offense occurred.

Sarah was able to laugh……but Lot’s wife was turned into a pillar of salt.How we respond to life's difficulties will always determine the level of favor we walk in throughout life.The Lot of things depend on your response and investment level made towards a personal relationship with God.