THE PITCHED TENT

THE PITCHED TENT

No doubt, you know the story of how Abram and Lot had to part ways because God had blessed them with large herds of cattle and sheep. The land could not support so many animals, so Abram told Lot: Genesis 13:8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we [be] brethren. Genesis 13:11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

Genesis 13:12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and PITCHED [HIS] TENT TOWARD SODOM.

Those are fateful words. He pitched his tent toward Sodom. There was deep trouble ahead, and Lot was oblivious to that fact.

Often, seemingly simple, harmless decisions on our part have the embryo of a catastrophy lurking within them. Especially those which are made from a self-seeking motive, as Lot's did.

Sometime later, the trouble began hatching out around Lot. He and his family, along with his herds were taken captive by some marauding kings and their armies.

Genesis 14:12 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

Abraham had to go to the rescue by overcoming the five kings and confiscating the loot they had collected in their forays.

A lesson for us is contained in this story. Be very careful about whom you choose to associate with.

I Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Lot MAY HAVE been able to keep his own soul free from contamination, but the influence rubbed off on his family. His decision to remain in Sodom was based upon taking care of what he possessed, rather than the Spiritual and moral welfare of his family.

The end was not good, which it never can be in such decisions. James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Again, it was Abraham who intervened by intercession with God. His prayers affected the sparing of Lot and part of his family. But the evil influence of Sodom had attached itself to his two daughters. The world is still paying for the mistakes of those two girls.

II Peter 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: II Peter 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed [his] righteous soul from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds;)
We each need to ask ourselves, "Which direction is MY tent pitched?" Wealth? Pleasure? Popularity? Etc. Etc.