A Contrast in Choices

Genesis 13-14, 19. A Contrast in Choices

Read Genesis 13:10-12; 14:1-12; 19:1 and write your answers to the following questions:

Genesis 13:10-12

10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodam and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.

Genesis 14:1-12

1 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations;

2 That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar.

3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the Salt Sea.

4 Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

5 And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,

6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El-paran, which isby the wilderness.

7 And they returned, and came to En-mishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezon-tamar.

8 And there went out the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (the same is Zoar;) and they joined battle with them in the vale of Siddim;

9 With Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and with Tidal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings with five.

10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slime pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.

11 And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way.

12 And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

Genesis 19:1

1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

Why do you think Lot chose to live where he did?

I feel like Lot, while overlooking the land he chose, at first saw the land as beautiful and full of excitement. I also feel like Lot regretted his decision once him and his belongings were taken.

What do you think it meant to pitch his tent “toward” Sodom?

This is a symbolical way of showing that his heart was against the will of the Lord.

How does 2 Nephi 28:7-9 pertain to Lot’s choice to pitch his tent “toward Sodom”?

2 Nephi 28:7-9 demonstrates the attitudes of those who desire to dwell in Sodom. It states:

“7 Yea, and there shall be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us.

8 And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.

9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines, and shall be puffed up in their hearts, and shall seek deep to hide their counsels from the Lord; and their works shall be in the dark.”

Theses attitudes and beliefs are that of self-destruction.

•      At first Lot lived “in the cities of the plain” outside Sodom, but he “pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:12). Later he lived in the city of Sodom itself (see Genesis 14:12). In what ways do people today “pitch their tents toward Sodom”?

This relates to those who believe that it is ok to watch rated R movies and that it won’t affect them. It relates to those who are ok with “just one” sip of alcohol because “one sip never hurt anybody”, etc. We live in a world where Satan knows that he cannot get us to sin all at once and that his best strategy is to get us to commit little sins that lead to big ones (baby steps if you will).

Read Genesis 19:2-11; Romans 1:24-27, 31 and the institute student manual commentaries for Genesis 19:4-11, “Why Did Lot Offer His Daughters to the Wicked Sodomites?” (pg. 76), and for Genesis 19:13, “What Was the Wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah?” (pg. 76). Explain in writing the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Write a list of words from the scriptures and the Institute Student Manual describing how the Lord feels about homosexuality.

Unfortunately, Lot was following the wicked customs of Sodom when he offered his daughters. The wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah was sexual sin. They committed whoredoms and engaged in homosexuality, which is contrary to the nature in which God created man and women. They also rejected their fellow men in need.

These sins are an abomination unto the Lord.

He see those who commit them as “Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful”

It is important that we keep our eye focused on the eternal perspective and change any sinful behavior that darkens our path.

b.  Contrast Lot’s choices with Abraham’s by reading Genesis 13:7-9, 18; 14:13-16, 21-23 and responding in writing to the following questions:

Where did Abraham choose to live?

Abraham chose to live where he could be close to the Lord. There, he focused his efforts on worshiping the Lord. He built an alter to gave sacrifice.

What did he do when he heard that Lot had been captured?

He armed his servant and went after them.

What does Genesis 14:22-23 reveal about Abraham’s values and commitment to God?

Abraham is very committed to God and will not break the covenants that he has made.

The city of Sodom was known for having wealth, abundance of worldly pleasures, and great wickedness. What could Abraham have gained from the king of Sodom?

He would have gained a ton of world riches and could have been esteemed among men but these are things that will not continue on with us through out eternity.

 How does Moroni 10:30 relate to Abraham’s actions?

It exhorts us to only lay our hands on the good gifts and not the bad ones. Partake only in gifts that have eternal benefit.

What can you do to be more like Abraham, who did not even desire a “thread” of what the king of Sodom had to offer?

I feel like the best thing that we can do to be like Abraham is remember that there is more to existence that what we see in this life. IF we have an eternal perspective we will be blessed with treasures beyond comparison. We will progress.