Genesis 19 Lessons From Lot
Has anyone ever felt like I’m just not good enough? I can’t make the grade! There’s more to life than following all the strict obligations outlined in the Torah and by the rabbis. There’s no hope for me. Well, those are feelings, and sometimes our feelings are mistaken. Genesis 19 mentions some of Lot’s failures. Lot separated himself along with all that he owned from his uncle, the prophet, Abraham. He was attracted to the wicked cities in the valley of the Jordan. – See Genesis 13.10 –
In my opinion, Lot had one of the most desirable positions. He was the nephew of the great tzaddik, Abraham. Lot worked with and learned from his uncle, Abraham. That was a privilege beyond imagination. Can any of us imagine what it would be like to spend an hour with the great tzaddik Abraham let alone years? Lot received individual guidance and counsel from Abraham. They shepherded their flocks together and traveled as companions. Abraham loved Lot as if he were his son.
He and his wife, Eris, raised their four daughters in that place of sin and filth. Lot, Eris, their daughters, servants, livestock, and all their wealth were taken by king Nimrod’s army. They were captives of war. Abraham came to their rescue. With God’s Help, Abraham and his 318 Talmudic students who were born in his house delivered Lot, his wife, daughters, servants, and all their possessions from captivity. The Torah does not mention any gratitude for Abraham’s kindness. What does Lot do? He returns to the cities of sin and filth. Despite what we may consider mistakes, Abraham interceded before The Lord on behalf of his nephew and relatives. Abraham asked, ‘Will you also destroy the righteous with the wicked?’ – Genesis 18.24 –
Individuals with the Hebrew Letter ל Lamed in their name have a unique mysticism about them. Lamed is the twelfth of twenty-two Letters of the Aleph-Bet. The Lamed is a center letter. Our heart is in the center of our body. The Word לבlav means heart. Our goal is to learn Torah. The Word למד Lamed, as well as the Letter Lamed, represents teaching and learning. Our hearts should be like a sponge that soaks up Torah. Rabbi Michael Munk, The Wisdom In The Hebrew Alphabet Mesorah Publications, Brooklyn, N.Y. 1990,), pp 138 – 139
Lot’s heart practiced hospitality as taught by Abraham. He merited prophecy. Lot kept silent while in Egypt regarding Abraham’s comment, ‘She is my sister.’ He did not speak loshon hora. Rabbi Yisrael Yitzchok Yishai Chasidah, Encyclopedia of Biblical Personalities (Jerusalem: blication Mashabim, 2003) p318 Shaar Press Pu
Later, Lot offers his pre-married virgin daughters to a mob. A few hours later, Lot, Eris, and the two younger daughters are ‘FORCED’ By the Angels to evacuate, to flee Sodom in haste.
Lot loses everything! Eris was turned into a pillar of salt. Lot’s older daughters and their husbands died during the judgments / destruction on the cities of the plains. Lot, along with his two younger daughters, flee to a cave. He becomes drunk and impregnates both of his remaining daughters. Yet, after these stumbles Lot, is still considered a good and righteous man. Descendants from his two incestuous relationships with his younger daughters will be part of the future messianic line.
We, the people of Israel, are sinners. We have failed. Perhaps, we feel beaten up. Maybe we are feel demoralized and discouraged—still, Scripture states. “Your people also shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.’ – Isaiah 60:21 – The great news is even though we are fallen, we get back up with God’s Help. We dust ourselves off and continue trying to be the best that we can be.
David wrote, ‘The Lord Orders the steps of a righteous individual, and He delights in his / her way. Though he / she falls, he / she is not utterly cast down for The Lord upholds him with His Hand. I have been young, and I am now old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.’ Psalms 37
Remember, ‘A righteous man falls seven times, and yet rises again; but the wicked stumble into calamity. Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not permit your heart to be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and be displeased, and he turn away his wrath from him. Proverbs 24.16 – 18
It is good to share a little of how God Perceives righteousness. Is it possible that some of us may have viewed our stumbles as a little harsh? Even when we make mistakes, it’s good to know that the One who Judges us and others is Gracious, Merciful, Loving, and Kind. Our world is built on Lovingkindness. Psalms 89
May we avoid the pitfalls of Lot.
May this coming Sabbath and every Sabbath be a blessed Day.
Good Sabbath!
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
