The Spirit of Lot

Robert Wurtz II

Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. (Genesis 13:6)

In Canaan, a strife arose between Abraham’s herders and those of his nephew Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites also inhabited the land and may have heard of this strife. Abram approached Lot, saying, “Let there be no strife between us, for we are brethren. Isn’t the whole land before us? Separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”

Abraham was that kind of man. He gave Lot the first choice. So Lot lifted his eyes and saw the plain of Jordan, well-watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah). It resembled the land of Egypt, a place where compromise and sin were abundant.

 

The Choice of Lot

When I use the phrase “the spirit of Lot,” I don’t necessarily mean a demonic spirit. I’m speaking of the attitude and outlook of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Lot chose the land that resembled Egypt, which he, Abraham, and Sarah had recently visited. The scripture says the city of Zoar was there, which in Hebrew means “Little.” In other words, it was like a miniature version of Egypt—or, as we might say, “it was a little bit of Egypt.”

Before getting too far, we must point out that the New Testament declares Lot, Abraham’s nephew, to be a “righteous man” (2 Peter 2:7-9) This could either mean that he was righteous relative to the people of Sodom, or it could’ve implied that he put his faith and trust in the Lord sufficiently to be declared righteous by faith. Nevertheless, his choice is a profound example of how not to live as a righteous person.

 

The Symbolism of Egypt

Egypt symbolizes the world at enmity with God, and Pharaoh represents Satan. Abraham, however, had already resolved to walk closely with God, regardless of where he settled. He built altars and preferred the mountain, illustrating a personal relationship with God—a foreshadowing of walking in the Spirit, living close to God.

 

Life on the Mountain

Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him. And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD. (Genesis 12:7-8)

Abraham’s lifestyle is sometimes called a “mountaintop experience.” Centuries later, Moses would ascend a mountain to meet God near this location (around 300 miles away). However, Lot, when offered the same opportunity, turned down the mountain. Unlike Abraham, he had a strong aversion to the mountain. Even towards the end of his life, he avoided it. Only after he ruined his family did he opt for it, but it was too late.

 

Abraham loved God and longed to be with Him. He was a pilgrim passing through this world. God called him His friend. Lot could have had the same relationship with God that Abraham had. God is no respecter of persons. Lot simply preferred the world to God, and that is unfathomable. God gave Abraham many promises, but Lot chose vexation. 

 

The Tent Toward Sodom

Instead of taking Abraham’s approach, Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. The scripture implies that the area was reminiscent of Egypt. There was something in his heart that desired the allure of the world. Lot’s decision to live near Sodom would ultimately cost him dearly.

When God led the Israelites into the wilderness, the Tabernacle was established at the center of the camp, representing God’s palace. Every time they exited their tents, which were pointed towards the Tabernacle, they saw the pillar of fire by night and the cloud by day. This was a powerful reminder of God’s presence. In contrast, when Lot stepped out of his tent, he faced the worldliness and the madness of sin in Sodom.

 

The Consequences of Compromise

When Lot faced his tent toward Sodom, it was a choice steeped in compromise. Again, verse 13 gives a clue: it looked like the land of Egypt. The New Testament tells us that you cannot love God and the world at the same time. The story of Lot vividly illustrates the danger of allowing “a little bit” of the world into our lives. What we focus our attention on can extinguish our love for Christ.

And (God) delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (2 Peter 2:7-9)

Lot’s compromises led to severe consequences. As he settled into Sodom, the city’s wickedness grew, and Lot found himself vexed by its sin. The two Greek words for “vexed” mean worn down, harassed, and tormented.

 

Why Stay?

The question is, “Why stay? Why keep putting yourself through all this?” It’s because this is the essence of all compromise—just a little bit of Egypt.

The city of Sodom was sacked while Lot and his family lived there, and they carried off Lot and his family as prisoners. Had it not been for Abraham coming to rescue him, he would’ve probably been enslaved, and no telling how it would’ve ended up.

And you would think that that would change his mind and cause him to leave Sodom, right? Wrong! The city was destroyed, so presumably Lot helped them rebuild it. It’s as if the man just didn’t get it. And this is a solemn warning for us today.

 

Entrenched in the World

Imagine living in a city so wicked that God Himself, in all of his mercy, must annihilate it. Imagine living somewhere that was so immoral that God estimates that it must be reduced to ashes. Homosexual rape and possibly even a desire to have relations with angels, characterize the men of that wicked city.

Somehow, Lot continued to live there vexed and tormented. It makes no sense. But it applies today. Why would a child of God be at home in this present evil world?

A little bit of compromise can lead to a significant distance from God. Lot became so entrenched in Sodom that he hesitated when the angels warned him of impending destruction. God, in His mercy, had to physically pull Lot from the city.

 

The Warning and the Escape

The angels urged Lot to flee to the mountains, but he hesitated again, asking if he could go to a small city instead. That city was Zoar. This desire for compromise, even what appears to be a lesser sinful option than Sodom, reveals the fallen human tendency to cling to the world.



As Lot left Sodom, there was a crucial moment when he could not look back. The smallest verse in the Bible reminds us: “Remember Lot’s wife.” She looked back while judgment was at the door and was turned into a pillar of salt. Obviously, she didn’t take God seriously. This attitude is common today as well.

 

The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance

Before it was over, Lot’s wife was dead, and his two daughters were completely morally bankrupt. It all started when Lot pitched his tent towards Sodom. Before long, he was utterly vexed by Sodom. What drove him to remain? Why stay? God made every attempt to get you out of there, and yet you still remained until your family was destroyed? What a lesson on what not to do.

In our lives today, we must reflect on the direction of our own “tents.” Are we leaning toward Sodom, allowing a little bit of Egypt to infiltrate our hearts? If we don’t walk closely with God, we risk losing our first love and jeopardizing the spiritual well-being of our families. 

 

The Atmosphere of Our Home

The atmosphere we create around our children matters. Lukewarmness will destroy the faith of your children. We must be ablaze with the glory of God, for they will not survive in a lukewarm environment. When we are on fire for God and desiring to live on the mountain, as did Abraham, our spiritual fervor can incubate their spiritual growth.

In conclusion, let us commit to drawing nearer to God, casting aside the compromises that threaten our relationship with Him. By doing so, we can ensure that our children have a firm foundation in faith, allowing them to thrive in the presence of God rather than be consumed by the allure of the world.