WEEK 2, DAY 11 – MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2012

TODAY’S READING: GENESIS 19-21 OVERVIEW: The visit of the two angels to Lot; Sodom destroyed; Lot’s wife; Lot and his daughters; Abraham and Sarah sojourn in Gerar; the conflict between Abraham and Abimilech over Sarah; the birth of Isaac; Hagar and Ishmael; the covenant between Abraham and Abimilech. HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS: There is plenty to learn from the life of Lot. We read on Thursday of the progression of Lot’s sin. It was the culmination of a gradual downward spiral into a life of carnality, worldliness, and ungodliness. The downward spiral into a life of sin follows the pattern God very carefully outlines through Lot’s life. Don’t miss the message! • Lot “LIFTED UP HIS EYES” toward Sodom. (13:10) • Lot “PITCHED HIS TENT” toward Sodom. (13:12) • Lot “DWELT” in Sodom. (14:12) • Lot “SAT IN THE GATE” of Sodom. (19:1) • And even after God confirmed its destruction, Lot “LINGERED” in Sodom. (19:15-16) This pattern is repeated continuously in the lives of many in Scripture, and in the lives of many believers right up to the present day. Seldom are Christians suddenly overtaken by the world. As in the case of Lot, it begins with FRIENDSHIP with the world (James 4:4); then becomes LOVING the things of the world (I John 2:15); until finally, the things of the world simply become a part of the fabric of who we are, so that we are ENGULFED by the things of the world (Eph. 2:2), much like we were before God delivered us out of Satan’s diabolical system of evil (II Tim. 2:26). When Abraham gave Lot the choice of the land he wanted (13:8-11), Sodom appeared to Lot to be a place of peace, prosperity, and protection. It turned out to be a place of conflict, compromise, and casualty. Lot went in to Sodom with his communion, his wife, his testimony, his character, and his wealth, and came out with none of them! Lot, who lost everything to the fire of God’s judgment (19:15-29), pictures for us the life of a worldly believer who loses everything to the fire of God’s judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ (I Cor. 3:11-15). God affirms through Peter (II Peter 2:7-8) that Lot, (like many believers today), was “saved,” “yet so as by fire” (I Cor. 3:15). Just a brief note to husbands and fathers… Lot’s life screams out the urgent warning of how the decisions we make effect our wives and children (19:26, 30-38). Beware! The story of Lot’s wife is a sermon in itself. Jesus said it very succinctly, “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Luke 17:32). What a power-packed three-word sermon! The Lord Jesus Christ holds her up as an example and warning to all who reject His offer of salvation. The perversion that was dreamed up and carried out by Lot’s daughters (19:30-38) began the Moabites and Ammonites. These two nations will consistently be a thorn in Israel’s side (Num. 25:1-3; I Kings 11:33), once again, teaching us that there are always painful consequences to sin. The book of Galatians is very clear in chapter 6 and verse 7 that “God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap”. We as Christians in today’s world do not comprehend the holiness of God and the high cost of low living. When we chose to take the name of Christ and then continue to live according to the course of this world, we are actually mocking God! It seems unthinkable that Abraham would try to pass off Sarah as his sister (Gen. 19) within 20 years of making the same mistake with Pharaoh, until we realize that God spends a great deal of time, and extends a great deal of mercy teaching us the same lessons over and over again. In chapter 21, God proves His faithfulness to His Word. Isaac, the miracle child of promise is born to Abraham and Sarah. CHRIST IS REVEALED: In ISAAC – Gen. 21:12 (Gen. 17:19; Gal. 3:16)