Genesis 14:1-12: a reflection

1In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar; Arioch, king of Ellasar; Chedorlaomer, king of Elam; and Tidal, king of Goiim, 2they made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela (also called Zoar). 3All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea). 4They served Chedorlaomer for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and struck the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 6and the Horites in their Mount Seir, to El Paran, which is by the wilderness. 7They returned, and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and struck all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that lived in Hazazon Tamar. 8The king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out; and they set the battle in array against them in the valley of Siddim 9against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five. 10Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to the hills. 11They took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food, and went their way. 12They took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

When war breaks out among the kings of the region, and Sodom is plundered, one man is swept up in the calamity: They took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. Lot had chosen to settle in Sodom, drawn by its prosperity, pitching his tent toward the wicked city and finally living in it. And now, when Sodom fell into calamity, Lot fell with it; his choice to settle among the wicked for the sake of gain drew him into their trouble. Where he had chosen to live for its prosperity became the place of his captivity.

Notice the consequence of Lot's choice to settle in Sodom. He had settled there for its prosperity, choosing to live among the wicked because the land was good; but in settling there, he tied his fate to theirs. When calamity came upon Sodom, it came upon Lot too; he was carried off with the city he had chosen to live in. His choice to settle among the wicked for gain drew him into their trouble; he could not share their prosperity without sharing their calamity. Where he had settled for its advantages became the place of his loss.

That is worth taking to heart, for settling among the wicked for gain can draw us into their trouble. We can be drawn to settle where we should not, among influences and company that are corrupt, for the sake of the advantages, the prosperity, the gain; but in settling there, we tie our fate to theirs, and their trouble can become ours, as Sodom's calamity swept up Lot. Do not settle among corrupting influences for the sake of gain, tying your fate to what is under judgment; the trouble of the place you settle for its advantages can become yours. Be careful where you settle and to what you tie yourself for the sake of gain, lest, like Lot in Sodom, you be drawn into the trouble of the place you chose for its prosperity; for settling among the wicked for gain can draw us into their calamity, and the advantages we seek there may cost us more than they give.

Lord, when war breaks out among the kings of the region, and Sodom is plundered, one man is swept up in the calamity: they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. Lot had chosen to settle in Sodom, drawn by its prosperity, pitching his tent toward the wicked city and finally living in it. And now, when Sodom fell into calamity, Lot fell with it; his choice to settle among the wicked for the sake of gain drew him into their trouble. Show me the consequence of Lot's choice to settle in Sodom. He had settled there for its prosperity, choosing to live among the wicked because the land was good; but in settling there, he tied his fate to theirs. When calamity came upon Sodom, it came upon Lot too; he was carried off with the city he had chosen to live in. His choice to settle among the wicked for gain drew him into their trouble. Take that to my heart, for settling among the wicked for gain can draw me into their trouble. I can be drawn to settle where I should not, among influences and company that are corrupt, for the sake of the advantages, the prosperity, the gain; but in settling there, I tie my fate to theirs. Keep me from settling among corrupting influences for the sake of gain, tying my fate to what is under judgment; the trouble of the place I settle for its advantages can become mine, Lord. Help me be careful where I settle and to what I tie myself for the sake of gain, lest, like Lot in Sodom, I be drawn into the trouble of the place I chose for its prosperity.