Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan; and Lot went eastward, and awoman-reading-bible2 departed from each other. Abram encamped in the land of Canaan, while Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tents as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against Jehovah exceedingly. " Genesis 15: 11-13
"And as the morning dawned, the angels hurried Lot, saying," Get up, take your wife, and your two daughters who are here, so that you will not perish in the punishment of the city. " And as he stood still, the men took hold of his hand, and of the hand of his wife, and of the hands of his two daughters, according to the mercy of the Lord toward him; and they took him out and put him out of the city. And when they had taken them outside, they said: Escape for your life; do not look after you, or stop in all this plain; escape to the mountain, lest you perish.
Then Lot's wife looked back, behind him, and became a statue of salt. "
Genesis 19: 15-17,26
From the story of Abraham, his family and offspring, there are many lessons to be learned. Today we will talk a little about Abraham's nephew, named Lot and about his family. We know because the Bible says that when Abraham left Ur, his nephew Lot accompanied him. We also know that at a certain moment they had to separate due to the problems they had for reasons of space, riches, cattle and disputes between the servants of Abraham and Lot. Abraham being the one who had the promise of God, decided for love of peace, that his nephew chose the place where he wanted to live. And we watched as Lot chose what in his eyes seemed very good and beautiful. He took for him the whole plain of the Jordan.
An important detail to highlight is that whatever decisions we make, we will always have to assume some consequences, either positively or negatively, our decisions will determine much of what happens in our lives for a present and a future. Man always tends to look at what is in front of his eyes, he lets himself be attracted by what he sees as very good in sight. And this is how we see each day, lives cut off by bad decisions they made at some time in their lives. But it is also important to note that Lot placed his stores as far as Sodom.
Many times people flirt with sin and do not even realize what they are doing. Because the Scriptures say that "there are ways that seem right to a man, but his end is the way of death." The psalmist said: "Blessed is the man who did not walk in the way of the wicked, nor sat in the seat of scoffers. But in the law of Jehovah he meditates day and night. It will be like a tree planted next to streams of water that gives its fruit in due time and its leaf does not fall and everything it does will prosper. "
We see prosperity in the life of Abraham always because he knew how to seek the face of Jehovah, because he obeyed and sought to fulfill the will of the Lord at all times, renouncing his own desires. But we noticed a difference in Lot, who despite being prospered and loving God also, was in a place that did not suit him or his family. There was an apparent blessing, but corruption surrounded them everywhere. They were in a land where there were not even 10 righteous people that could be counted on. An imminent danger lurked and they had not had the vision to realize that this somehow affected their lives.
There are details in which the Bible is not specific, but in which if we use the ability to analyze we will discover interesting things. Because there are actions that are worth more than a thousand words. We see that Lot had a wife (we do not know his name) who was very attached to his material life. Because when God used his angels to tell Lot and his family, due to the intercession of his uncle Abraham to "escape for his life" and given the direction not to look back or stop, it was because he really was necessary to follow these instructions. Because of their obedience depended in those moments their lives. What could be more important for that woman who decides in spite of these instructions to look back? His feelings and thoughts had to play a good trap. "Because the heart is deceitful." Apparently he began to think about everything he had left behind her. I do not know if it was a very fine game of jewels, a very spacious and comfortable house, servitude, position, money, so many things. I do not know if she was intimidated by the fear of starting over. But apparently her husband and daughters in her life did not occupy a great place. They were not enough to go on. He looked back and became a statue of salt is the only thing that is related to her in the Bible. It is the testimony by which many let themselves be carried away so that they do not give in to what seems like good offers but that they know will take them away from God. It seems to me that God was not enough in the life of Lot's wife, her heart was concentrated and she had other things as a priority.
The sad outcome of Lot's wife is yet to be said. Her future may have been different, but she chose to turn her gaze back. Live behind him. And just like this woman there are so many people in the world. Who choose or prefer the momentary pleasures of life. That give priority to superficial things and of little value. That God, his partner or his family do not occupy a place of transcendence in their lives. They live facing the world, but behind the back of those who love them unconditionally. This story leads us to reflection and even more to introspection. Jeremiah said in the book of Lamentations 3: 41-41: "Let us search our ways, and let us seek, and turn to the Lord; Let's raise our hearts and hands to God in heaven. " Psalm 139: 23-24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my thoughts; And see if there is a path of perversity in me, And guide me in the eternal way. "
And you dear brother and friend, what are you giving him the first place? Do you confess with your mouth to love God, but your actions say that you live behind his back? Is your life the fruit of a relationship with God? Do you know him from what others have told him about him or why have you experienced him in your life?
I invite you to immerse yourself in his presence so that you may be satiated and renewed.
