A Contrast in Choices

 This week in Genesis 13-14, 19, we learn of Lot and Abraham's distinct choices, and what transpired because of them. 

First off, Lot’s choices:

•                      Lot was given the opportunity to choose where to live. In Genesis 13 verses 10-11, we learn that Lot chose to live in the plains of Jordan, near the land of Sodom. Now this was an interesting choice because the land of Sodom was known for having extremely wicked people, but Lot still decided to live near it. He was enticed by the beauty of the plains of Jordan, and how much water the land had. So ultimately, Lot chose what he though was the best land.

•                      At first we read that Lot lived “in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:12), and later lived in Sodom itself (Genesis 14:12). Why would he pitch his tent “toward Sodom” being that it is a perverted city? In 2 Nephi 28: 7-9, it helps us understand why Lot would choose to pitch his tent facing Sodom. These verses state basically the idea of enjoying life to the fullest and having fun committing a “little sin,” since we will die, and God will pat us on the hand and forgive us, and we can still return to live with Him. This is the mentality that Lot had when he decided he would live near this wicked city.

•                      In Genesis 19: 2-11, we read that Lot offered his daughters to the wicked Sodomites in order to protect the men that were in his house.  The Joseph Smith Translation, however, teaches Lot refused several times to give them his daughters, to which the men replied, “We will have the men, and thy daughters also.” To fully understand this, we must again take in account the evilness that was occurring in Sodom. The people from Sodom, “had become extremely immoral, engaging in homosexuality and other abuses” (Institute Manual).  Lot refused to give in to the evil desires of the Sodomites.

Abraham’s choices:

•               ·     Abraham chose to give Lot the right chose which land he wanted to reside in. He then took whatever Lot had not picked, so he ended up living in the land of Canaan, and later moved to Hebron (Genesis 13: 7-12, 18). 

•                   When Abraham heard that the kings had captured Lot, he decided to gather his men and go rescue Lot. He ended up bringing back not only his brother Lot, but goods, women, and people (Genesis 14: 13-16). 

•                   In Genesis 14: 21-24, we read that Abraham refused to accept any type of exchange from the king of Sodom, even though Sodom was known for having wealth, abundance of worldly pleasures, and great wickedness. Abraham just did not want anything, not even a "thread" that came from the unrighteous king. Abraham had made a commitment to follow God and by it he was blessed. He didn’t want the king saying Abraham was "rich" because of him. 

So what is the take home message? How can we learn from Lot's and Abrahams contrast choices, and apply them to our lives? There are choices that we make today that are equivalent to pitching our tents “toward Sodom”. We may choose to associate ourselves with bad influences, or choose to commit small sins without thinking that they may have a big influence on us when in reality they do. We start believing that we can walk in this unrighteous path without getting tainted, but as we see with Lot that is not true. Lot lost his family, and many other valuable things because of his poor decisions. We each can learn from Lot’s experience by repenting of our current actions, and choosing to not partake or entertain the wickedness of this world. It is important for us to be more like Abraham and keeping ourselves free from sin, even when evil is all around us. We can be in the world but not of the world if we set our hearts on the things of the Lord and not the things of this world. The Lord will bless us for it, and in return those around us will be blessed also.