Genesis 13:11, commentary and pictures

Abraham yielded the first choice of land to Lot though as the elder the right belonged to him, putting peace and courtesy ahead of his own claim that their households might not quarrel. Lot selfishly and ungratefully grasped all the advantage for himself instead of yielding to his benefactor, dazzled by the well-watered, fertile, beautiful plain of Jordan like the garden of the Lord with its wealthy cities and visions of worldly gain. He chose for temporal prosperity without seeking God's guidance and without weighing whether the place would sustain morality and godliness, overlooking the exceeding sinfulness of the people among whom he would live. Having chosen all the plain he journeyed east and separated from Abraham, pitching his tent toward Sodom and settling amid its corrupting associations that weakened his faith and harmed his family. Though he entered rich he left with nothing, losing possessions, married children, wife, and riches and escaping only as through fire when the city was consumed, which warns that a home must be chosen first for its influence on Christian character and eternal interests and committed to God rather than for beauty, fertility, or temporal advantage.

The Choice Described

Abraham gave Lot the first choice of the land to keep peace between their households, though as the elder the right of first choice belonged to him, and in doing so he set courtesy and peace above his own claim. Lot did not return that courtesy by yielding the choice to his benefactor, to whom he owed his prosperity, but grasped all the advantages for himself in a selfish and ungrateful choice. He chose all the plain of Jordan because it looked well-watered, fertile, beautiful and productive, like the garden of the Lord and like Egypt, with wealthy cities promising profitable traffic, and he was dazzled by visions of worldly gain and temporal advantage from its natural beauty and attractive situation. He chose it as favorable for worldly prosperity and for its agreeable, attractive surroundings and promise of gain.

That choice was made without considering whether the place would support morality and godliness, without regard for moral influence and the moral character of the people among whom he would live. He overlooked the moral and spiritual evils to be encountered there and the morals and religion of nearby Sodom, either ignorant that its inhabitants were sinners before the Lord exceedingly or knowing it and giving it little weight. He pursued worldly gain and advantage without seeking God's guidance. Having chosen all the plain, he journeyed east and separated from Abraham, pitching his tent toward Sodom and making his home near that wicked city.

Ruin in Sodom

Lot's choice of all the plain led him to make his home in and near wicked Sodom, where he and his family were constantly and continually exposed to evil. He had chosen the Jordan plain for its worldly advantages and outward attractiveness without considering the moral character of the people among whom he would live and without regard to the moral and religious influence of its surroundings. There corrupt associations weakened his faith and harmed his family, and the earthly riches he gained were not worth that cost. Choosing a place for apparent advantage without regard to its associations can thus undermine piety and devotion and bring loss.

Though he entered Sodom rich and wealthy, he did not become richer by his choice. Sodom's wealth and attractions were consumed by fire, and he later came away with nothing, led and rescued away by an angel before the city faced destruction. He had chosen for its attractive situation and promise of gain, but an outwardly attractive place is not a sound choice when its associations endanger faith and devotion.

His possessions were destroyed, some of his children perished, his wife became a pillar of salt, and he himself escaped only as through fire. The financially attractive home led to terrible loss in which he lost his wife, married children, and riches, and had to flee for his life.

His choosing all the plain and pitching his tent toward Sodom was a selfish and ungrateful choice whose terrible results he little foresaw. Although he owed his prosperity to his connection with Abraham, he did not yield the choice to his benefactor as courtesy required but grasped all its advantages for himself. Dazzled with visions of worldly gain from the well-watered, most fertile plain, beautiful and productive like the garden of the Lord and like Egypt, with wealthy cities inviting profitable traffic, he overlooked the moral and spiritual evils to be encountered there, either ignorant that its inhabitants were sinners before the Lord exceedingly or knowing it and giving it little weight. His choice of Sodom as a home began a chain of events that brought harm for generations. His marriage to a selfish, irreligious woman helped draw him away from Abraham's counsel, while the wicked city's influence threatened to lead him away from God despite the faithful instruction he had received.

Choosing Homes Wisely

Lot's choice of all the plain of Jordan and his separation toward Sodom warns against choosing a home for prosperity and outward attractiveness while neglecting its influence on character and on the morals and religion of its surroundings, since such a choice can bring lasting loss to children and family. He chose a fertile, attractive region with an attractive situation and promise of gain without considering the moral and spiritual influence of its inhabitants and surroundings. That choice led him to settle in and among the corrupt associations of wicked Sodom, where the influences harmed his faith and his family. Though he entered Sodom rich and wealthy, he later left with nothing, led away by an angel as the city faced destruction. An outwardly attractive place is not a sound choice when its associations endanger faith, devotion and piety, and choosing temporal advantages without regard to moral influences can lead to loss and undermine piety.

A home should be chosen with regard first to its influence on Christian character and eternal interests rather than chiefly for beauty, fertility, or temporal advantage. Putting temporal advantage ahead of the moral and religious influences that would surround the family exposes children to temptation and unbelief, damages their character and faith, and brings lasting loss, for seeking prosperity through a home in a corrupt society proves dangerous. Lot chose the rich land and attractive surroundings of the Jordan plain and settled near wicked Sodom, but its beauty did not make it a safe choice and he later left having lost everything. Worldly advantages cannot save anyone, and the decision about where to settle should be committed to God rather than rushed ahead of His providence. His choice illustrates the danger of pursuing earthly gain and desire despite the light and counsel God has given, for Sodom's wealth and attractions were consumed by fire and he left empty-handed, made no richer by what had dazzled him.

The same choice means placing oneself and children where mere advantage is sought, as when parents leave the country for cities that are hot-beds of vice to educate their children. There temptations to dissipation and crime are almost irresistible and daily association is with youth of dissolute habits and corrupt morals. Such a choice sets children's feet in a path diverging from purity, integrity, and holiness toward gradual ruin. Its sin and folly are seen too late, when a great gulf yawns between parents and children.