My Choice or God's Choice?

From: The Christian Shepherd: 2003

• 1 min. read • grade level: 5

“Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan.... Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan... and pitched... toward Sodom” (Gen. 13:10-12¹⁰And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. ¹¹Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. ¹²Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. (Genesis 13:10‑12)).

What did Lot choose, when he got his choice? He chose Sodom, the very place that was about to be judged. Why did he select such a spot? Because he looked at the outward appearance, and not at its true character and future destiny. Sodom’s intrinsic character was wicked; its future destiny was judgment to be destroyed by fire and brimstone out of heaven.

Perhaps Lot knew nothing of all this (nor did Abraham). But God did. Had Lot allowed God to choose his inheritance for him, God would never have chosen a place He was about to destroy.

Lot, however, judged for himself. Sodom with its well-watered plains attracted and suited him. Such is nature’s choice! “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10¹⁰For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. (2 Timothy 4:10)). Lot left the place of testimony and got into the place of judgment.

C. H. Mackintosh

Click here to show subject links in the text for more information.