# 20 - Sodom, Fire and Brimstone P. 1 - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein we delve into the harrowing story of Lot and the destruction of Sodom, exploring the tragic consequences of moral compromise and the urgent call to align our lives with God's will. Join us as we unpack the deep lessons this ancient narrative holds for us today.
Episode 20 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Genesis.
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Today's opening prayer is inspired by Ecclesiastes 12:14, “For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
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Show Notes:
(01:58) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(02:58) Fire and Brimstone Part 1
(30:52) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
Previously on the Chosen people.
So close to Sodom, Are you sure? I think, eh?
I think the proximity of the city would prove useful to me. Yeh useful.
Be careful near those cities. I fear the influence of their culture is more dangerous than their spears.
But I hear that the lands in Canaan are untamed, and there are fortunes to be had if you're bold enough to take it.
Wealth.
You can't even imagine wealth that would put Er and Haran to shame.
The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is immense. The victims of this terrible wickedness plead for justice. The sin of both Sodom and Gomorrah is extremely serious.
Yes, my Lord, your judgment will be carried out according to your will.
My Lord, would you have us continue on our way? Yes, go ahead of me and scout out the city. See what you make of it in its inhabitants.
My God, will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
After Abraham's God departed to see about Sodom, Abraham walked for a long time on his own, processing what was to come. He knew his God was right in his authority and write in his judgment. But when he thought of those who were oppressed and abused by the wickedness of Sodom, for this was the need for justice, Abram had to acknowledge that his heart was still broken.
You've read the stories right, are distant relatives, the line of Ham, the cursed, Abram cursed, And yet there they are, setting in seats of power. And then there's me. I don't want to just be another name, Abram, just another name in a long, endless list of men for the line of Noah.
In the heart of a dark city, where shadows lurk and sin rains, a family's faith hangs in the balance. Shallo, my friends, from here in the holy land of Israel i'm l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Welcome to the Chosen People. Each day we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning of life. Through Israel's story, we'll find this truth that we are all chosen for something great. Let's begin today we venture down the cobblestone alleys of Sidome. This story inspired by Genesis nineteen one to sixteen is not just a tale of escape. Rather, it's reflection on the human heart and how the world around us can shape and misguide our own hearts.
This episode of The Chosen People with Yeil Extein contains explicit content that may be triggering for some listeners and inappropriate for young children. Listener discretion is advised. The day had been sweltering, and even though the evening was nearing, tensions still ran hot. Sweat beaded on Lot's forehead, and he could even feel troplets sliding down the back of his neck into his tunic. The two men before him were nearly nose to nose, Their angry shouts reverberated off the stone walls of the gate.
Brothers, please lower your voices. The entire city doesn't need to know your business.
Maybe they should know.
Ah, yes, they should know.
Durak as a snake, and doing business with him will only leave your bleeding.
Ha ha oh.
Don't be so naive, chouvar.
You can play the victim all you want, but even a child could tell you that the price you gave was too low.
That's your excuse for line for your teeth running to weep into the skirts of a city judge.
Is your response here, man Chavar, you should have offered more or known I would find another buyer.
You use my price to drive up the other bits. We had an understanding.
We had no such thing.
They were witnesses, and how.
Much you hang them to pack your story?
Keep your fault time behind, John Steth.
I did none such shame, and I would never.
Need to do such good.
You're a cheap man who needs to pay for friends as well as a stitch.
This is the only friend I need.
Chavar flashed a blade and dura follow sheet. Both men were poised and ready to strike brothers.
That's enough. I've heard what I need to hear, and I sighed with you. Chavar, Rah see.
The rak what you can't be serious?
Yes, Derek, you will pay for a fine for breaking your agreement with Chavar.
This is outrageous lot and you're not I don't know what kind of business you ran in Haran, But am I not entitled to get the best price for my buyers?
But you had an agreement? You broke your word.
What do words matter when it comes to money? Any businessman worth his thought would tell you that.
I suppose it pays to have the judgment of the lawn.
You saw.
We're like a bleeding heart Hebrew.
Where do you get off on this nonsense about word and honor?
Enough, the matter is settled. It's the end of the day. Go home. I'm sure we all have matters to attend to.
This isn't over, Lot, mark my words out.
Remember this Dark slunk off into the crowd in the direction of the wealthiest part of the city, the part of the city Lot not so secretly long to be. Lot had done well for himself in the years since his abduction and the invasion of the city. Sodom had rebuilt and resumed its commerce, and Lot had ensured he was a part of it. He no longer resided in his caravan outside the city, but within its walls, and held the position of a judge. Never again would Lot not have a stone wall at his back or a heavily guarded.
Gate before him.
Despite the comforts and securities he had worked tirelessly to obtain, Lot still awoke screaming and sweating to nightmares of clanging spears and bloodied knives being held to his throat. Rogues like Durarch. He could stomach Sodom had no shortage of cases to be heard here at the city gate. His wealth and his connection to his uncle, Abram the war Hero, or Abraham, as he was now called, had brought him influence and favor with the city officials. Judging the back dealings and corruption of the city helped quiet his fears of inadequacy and helped him reclaim what was left of his pride. Lot had finally achieved his dream, the one of legacy and destiny he spoke of to his uncle in his grandfather's house all those years ago. It wasn't anything like he thought it would be, and so much had happened that he had not anticipated. But he supposed that was the way of dreams, and so he shrouded himself in the air of importance and hid behind not only the city walls, but also his righteousness. Lot found it advantageous to follow in his uncle's footsteps and play the part of the holy man, a man of faith. He found it gave him an edge over the other civic leaders, and he found that the more responsibility shifted his way, the more pious and respected he became. Lot didn't know whether to thank Abraham's God or his own shrewdness for his rise. In his heart of hearts, he thanked himself.
You know he won't forget this, Lot.
Chauvar's words brought Lot out of his reverie and back to the present.
Eh, I'm sure he won't. That's future, Lot's concerned. He can be my headache another day.
Well, you have my fags, Lot, and I'll need to think of ways I can show you my face and perhaps keep you in my good graces for any future cases it might come to your gate.
Lot cringed slightly. Some customs in Sodom he would never get used to. Before Lot could deny Chauvar's offer, he noticed two last travelers were passing through the outer gates up ahead. They were being questioned by the men on watch, who seemed eager to move them along so they could close the gates and change out the guard for the night. Chauvar followed Lot's gaze and saw what drew his attention.
Well, well, well he's been and no ordinary travelers. Their clothes and appearance are not fashionable in these parts, but you are quite and so they will surely attract a lot of attention in town. Who do you suppose they are.
I don't know.
I think you're right. Yeah, they are peculiar. I mean look at them. No saddle bags, no mounts. I mean they've got to have some sort of servants or a larger company staying outside the walls. Right, these seem like men of importance, dignitaries maybe, or maybe merchants. You know, my uncle he was visited by a king once, and let me tell you, he carried himself just like this.
Rats, This will be my first gesture of gratitude for your favorable ruling earlier. You should host him, and I would offer quickly before Duract catches word that there are new merchants in town, swoop in and steal their business with our second vault.
Oh yes, yes, yes, good idea, chav Our, very good idea. I'll take your suggestion really, thank you, and I look forward to our dealings in the future. Honorable men like you and me, we got to stick together.
Indeed, we may be the very last ones in the city of Sodom.
Lopa good naturedly as he hurried to meet the distinguished men just clearing the city gatehouse. He bowed respectfully before them.
My lords, be welcome to the city of Sodom, the pride of the great cities of the plain. Please allow me to be your host while you stay here in these walls. My name is Lot, son of Haran, of the line of Shem.
So you are, and you are the nephew of Abraham, the follower of the god olmedy Ah.
Yes, yes, ah, certainly, I am a faithful follower my lords, of course.
And you are a city official here. You have come to not only reside but represent the city.
Lot blinked at the non question. He also waited for the men to offer their own names in kind, but none came.
Ah, I, I am my lord.
Again, they offered up no further information and asked nothing of Lot. They took his measure for a long moment. Lot could feel the cheeks under his beard turned pink at the stairs. This stilted conversation was drawing from the smattering of people gathered along the stone benches lining the gated walkway. The two mysterious men then inclined their heads respectfully and made to turn and leave.
My lords, please tell me where do you plan to stay here in the city.
In the city's square, Lot could feel the growing curiosity of onlook and felt the need to redouble his efforts as the accommodating host of his city the square.
Oh no, no, no, no, that will not do. Please my lords, you must turn aside from your current plans and allow me to be your host, your servant. I will have you stay at my house. Wash if he'd spend the night, then you can get up burly, Sure, go on your way, no problem. But I can't. I won't have you stay the night in the square when I can wait on you personally. It's just not right.
The city square is enough for us. We want to take in the city while we're here.
Ah, you won't take in the city. The city will take in you. I assure you. The city can't can't offer you the hospitality that I can. I mean my wife, she's a fantastic cook. She oversees the most skilled cooks, the best servants in the land. Even now, I bet they're preparing the evening meal. I'll order them to prepare meat, good meats, and extravagant courses so you'll taste the finest food, drink the best wine this region has to offer our land. Oh, it's well wadded and fertile, very fertile. The crops are a unparalleled Listen, listen, I know you've traveled far, but I humbly boast you'll want for nothing after a feast in my household. How can you say no to this offer? You can't. You just can't.
I suppose we cannot be the way Lort couldn't deny the satisfaction he felt as he led the men through the streets of the city. Chauvar was right about one thing. They certainly drew a lot of attention. Their fine clothes and exotic, handsome features drew the eyes of many double takes and even open stairs from both women and men. True to his word, Lot and his households sprang into action and pulled together a great feast for these mysterious distinguished guests. Lot was determined to serve them in a manner that befitted his role as a city judge. If he were able to secure their trust and their business as well, then no one could argue that he did not belong here, or that his uncle paved the way for him to be here.
You must tell us what sort of merchants are you. Lot can help you learn. All the players here in Sodom if you're looking to set up shop.
We are not merchants.
Oh, I see, have you been to this region before? I'm sure find men such as yourself have traveled far and wide. It was much the same when we were settled in Haran and Er.
Before that, we.
Have been many places.
Your wives must come with you next time you feast with us. I would love to meet them, and the same for my daughters.
We do not have wives.
Well, that is most surprising. I would offer you one of my daughters if they were not promised already. They are to marry the sons of a very prominent city official. We're in the throes of arranging the wedding. I have been working tirelessly. You could not imagine the intricacies. But it is a labor of love. My daughters, Keziah and Milka, deserve nothing less.
And they will make lovely brides.
Thank you father, Thank you father, and the match will be most beneficial for both our houses. Of course, there's our noble line. We can trace our family history back to Noah, if you can believe that, through his son Shem, our family was among some of the most prosperous in er And when we settled in Haran, our fortune only grew and now sodom. My husband Lot finds success wherever he goes. We're most eager to join our house with the nobility and wealth of this land. Who knows what the future will hold for this family.
Wife carried the conversation for the rest of the meal, hardly noticing the scant contribution from the visitors. Lot found it a little strange that they were so withholding, but perhaps it would take time to earn their trust, and they were guests under his roof, which placed them in a higher place of honor and respect than even his family. According to the customs of their land. Lot was so unattuned to the presence of God that he hadn't noticed what Abraham noticed. He did not recognize the divinity veiled behind their handsome faces, or the authority vibrating from their voices as they spoke. Lot was too consumed with self to see what was right in front of him. When the household began to settle in for the evening and the servants were taking away the remnants of their meal, Lot heard a familiar voice shouting from the street.
Ye yea, let's go see it.
Lot, it is stupid friends.
You're singing the city and stuff.
What who is it you're hosting in there?
Who does?
Pretty men?
You're keeping all to yourself.
You you treat these strangers like kids and then steal money from my theairy hands.
You would turn your back on those.
Who built, and they built this city in favor of a foreigners.
Foreign birds flop together.
Maybe we should make sure they are on spies.
Say send them, send them out to us so we can question them.
I'll hold them down so you can find out.
Then I'll be.
Sure to leave one for you, coussim I won't deny you the enjoyment of taking one of them. They're so fair, fine.
Figures of men, Derek, Will you want to turn to Will let you pick the one you want.
Horrified of both what they were saying and how loudly they were saying it, Lot ran to the front door and into the street, slamming the door firmly behind him, as if that could drown out the crew jeering. Seconds later, drunken knocks pounded against the door. Lot could smell the wine on their breath from the doorway and see the glassy lust in their eyes through cracks in the wood. They meant to defile his guests and humiliate them, and by extension him.
Brothers, please don't do this what you're suggesting, it's evil, it's foul. Who even told you about my guests?
Sir?
Who are you to say?
What's foul?
You parded them through town?
What are to see you think?
My men?
Cosine wouldn't tell me of your comings and goings.
I have eyes all our brother city loves.
You don't realize what a power enemy you've made here today.
Lot, Now don't make us ask again and over your pretty guests.
Lot's stomach turned as the man grabbed himself in a vile gesture. There was no mistaking his intentions with Lot's guests.
Look, look, I have two daughters, virgins. I'll hand them over to you instead, but you'll not take the name. They are my guests and therefore, under my protection cannot mean to violate their rights. Has madness taken you over?
Yeah, auret of my word? Of course you claim guest rights. You're always hiding under the protection of.
Proprid to you, the lie, the image of honor.
Is everything You've flount around like a host when you're a mere thorough in our land.
You can play it.
Being a judge all evans, but you'll always be even outside.
We should take him too.
I like that plan initiation if you will make him arry of Sandomites, Lots.
If you don't get it, I'll have my men rape you two eh when they had their film, I'll kill you myself.
The wood of the door was immediately met with the dull funk of the blade of a dagger, followed by two pairs of fists. Terror shot through Lot's slims and his vision narrowed to a point. He could hear Durak struggling to remove his blade from the soft wood of the door as he shouted for more men to join him. Lot could see the light of torches from the street through the cracks in the door, and hear more men joining him. Their bloodlust whipped into a frenzy to the edge of Durak's blade appeared in the door crack by the frame and began to pry it open. To Lot's further dismay, Calculated fingers began to claw their way into the opening, and the door strained against its lock, groaning and whining at the force he wasn't dealing with men but animals. Regret cascaded into Lots. He should have known better than to make his home in a wall's den. The crazed men would soon have their hands on Lot and would surely drag him into the street to his death or worse. Gasping for air, Lots squeezed his eyes shut as he struggled in vain against the door's movement behind him. Every second he was losing ground. He felt the door go slack for a moment while the men outside pulled back to gather their strength to surely strike the door and serve the final death blow to both the lock and the door.
This is it, and this is where I die. Being captive to a psychotic king seems like paradise to the horrors awaiting me.
Just then Lot felt a pair of strong, sure hands grasped his shoulders and hurl him aside. His eyes snapped open, and he saw that his guests had stepped in and secured the door themselves. Lot couldn't believe his eyes. They had shoved it shut, and somehow the lock was holding fast, as if the massive stress it had just undergone had never happened. One of them threw a hand in the air and pulled down forcefully. As his hand soared down to his side, a blinding light illuminated the street behind the door. The light that refracted through the door frame and the front windows was brighter than even the sun. At it Zeneth Lot had to shield his eyes with his hand as light flooded into his entryway. The flash was gone as suddenly as the mysterious guest had summoned it. He heard the startled cries of the men outside.
Why I heard?
Had fled?
What happened?
Been blinded?
Can you see anything?
Well? Where is the daughter?
Lot?
What the dodos?
What for an sacery?
Is this fret?
I think it's only here?
Where are you?
I'm here? Where?
Lot gaped in amazement as the sounds of the knob faded away. In their blindness, they lost their bearings and were miraculously led away from the house. He then turned his attention to his two guests.
What what was that?
What happened?
Listen to me?
Laugh?
Do you have any one else in the city, Your sons in law, other sons or daughters, any one else in the city who belonged to you?
Lot was still in shock over what he had witnessed. He then noticed his wife and daughters were crouched in the stairway further inside their home. They had undoubtedly witnessed both the confrontation in the street and all that had come after. They looked equally bewildered.
Lot, Listen, this is important. Who else in the city belongs to you?
Ah?
The girls is betrothed, ye, yes, yea.
The two brothers who are promised to my daughters and their families.
You need to go get them right now. You need to convince them to leave this place.
Yes, you and those who belonged to you, we need to get out of the city.
The evil and vile atrocities have caused a great outcry against its people.
It has become so great before the God Almighty that he has sent us to destroy it.
Destroy it.
Yes, the city, the city will be destroyed.
Lot's mouth was still hanging open in disbelief as he absorbed the men's words, the power they wielded, the certainty with which they spoke. Lot didn't know many things at that moment, but one thing he knew for sure. These were not men. They were messengers of God Almighty, sent here to exact judgment upon Lot's home. The adrenaline from the confrontation still pulsed through his veins as he grappled with this new information. He gaped at the other worldly messengers standing in his entryway as he again slumped to the ground.
Lot, what are you going to do?
I I think I must go. I must go to our sons in laws of arm In Lovin have gott to warn them.
Please, Father, go and warn them, tell them what they must do.
Tell them to come to us.
One of the visitors approached Lot and offered him a hand and pulled him to his feet. The other similarly helped his daughters and wife.
Stand, you should go now. We would see you after safety, and as soon as we do that, we can get to our task.
Yes, we would not delay the hour of judgment a moment longer than we need to. The vile corruption he of his flower and the rot is all consuming.
The visitor who helped Lot to his feet ushered him towards the door and opened it. Lot then stumbled into the street beyond his front door and made his way toward the household of his sons in law. Lot stumbled through the streets of Sodom to his son in law's house, Durac and his angry mob mercifully had been led astray. He forced himself to repeat the stranger's words in his head over and over. Destroy. They were going to destroy the city. Everything he worked so hard to build rebuild was going to be taken away from him again. But he would be under their protection. He was being given a way out. This wasn't like the last time strangers hell bent on destruction had come to Sodom. This time would be different.
Zaran, Lavin, Jetharin, everybody.
Despite the late hour, Lot pounded on the front door and his son in law's house.
But what is the meaning of this?
The hour is late.
Our father is already in bed.
Oh, my sons, My son's listening to me. This is important. We need to leave the city right away. I've just gotten word that the god of my uncle Abraham is going to destroy the city.
A god has come to speak to you.
Who do you think you are an oracle? You can see the future now?
Either that or he's drunk sleeping up. Old man.
Oh, no, what I'm telling you is true. You have no idea what I've seen, Oh the things I've seen. What these men are capable of get your belongings. We need to get up and leave the city as soon as we can.
This is a bore.
I'm going back to bed.
Come now. How many cups of wine have you had?
Or is it the spirits brood in the high temples that have you hallucinating like this?
What?
No, No, I'm sober and I'm telling you the truth. Wake your father and mother, Wake the whole house. We need to leave.
Lot watched as the brothers exchanged long glances, assessing what to do with him. Lot hardly blame them. He could only imagine how deranged he appeared and sounded, banging on their door in the middle of the night and shouting promontory nonsense.
Lot, We're not doing that, crazy old goat. You need to get home.
Lot.
Out of respect for you as our future father in law, we'll turn a blind eye to this outburst. But I know I speak for Lave and when I say, I hope this will not happen again.
With that, they slammed the or in his face. Lot was dismayed. What was he going to do now he had failed his daughters, not to mention men who at once respected him, thought he was losing his grip on reality. They had not even offered to walk him home. They couldn't be bothered. Lot knew it was the least of his worries, but that was indeed a blow. He had risen up the ranks in this town, only to be treated like a pariah. Lot stewed in his thoughts all the way home. Just as the night sky was beginning to lighten, he found his wife and daughters being conjoled around into packing and gathering their things by the two visitors.
Lots, have you told those in your family to leave?
Your wife and daughter are almost ready here.
You need to leave now, take.
Your wife and your daughters, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.
Despite all Lot had seen earlier that night, with the mob and the blinding, and even all the acts of Abraham's God in the years since they left Haron, he hesitated. His wife and daughters were in their traveling clothes, supplies and packs slung over their shoulders and in their arms. The reality of the situation was right before his very eyes. But yet Lot hesitated. He thought of all he had won and lost and won again. He thought of the horrors he had faced and the life he had built here. Could he really leave it all behind because of a single night of panic. What would his peers or even his enemies say if he ran like a coward in the night. What if all of this was a misunderstanding, or perhaps something could be worked out. Surely Sodom was not so violent as to warrant total destruction. The visitors watched his silent calculation, and as if in response, they swooped upon him, grabbing his hands and dragging him from the threshold of their home into the streets the sitting.
What a dark story, unsettling and profoundly sorrow unsettling and profoundly sorrowful, and was. Perhaps the most disturbing part of the entire story is the quiet, nearly imperceptible way that evil crept into Lot's family, distorting their values and warping their sense of right and wrong. The angel's visit feels like elastic divine effort at redemption, a desperate attempt to pull Lot and his kin from the quicksand of corruption. But Lot and his family were already compromised long before the final night. This slow burning tragedy speaks volumes about the human condition. Are soet receptibility to the world's influence and the slow and silent erosion of our moral compass. Because this didn't happen overnight. There were no flashing neon signs or blaring alarms to signal their descent into moral ambiguity instead, and it was a series of small compromises, little concessions made in the name of survival or comfort eventually that led to a profound loss of integrity and identity. It's easy to judge Sidom, to point fingers at its overt depravity, and to feel a sense of righteous indignation. But today's story forces us to confront a more uncomfortable truth, our own imperfection. How often do we allow the world around us to shape our thoughts, our actions, and our opinions. Where made compromises, let down our guard and allowed the values of a broken society to infiltrate our hearts and minds. Look's story is a somber reminder that we are all susceptible to our environment's subtle, corrosive influence. It's a call to vigilance, to self examination, and to a relentless pursuit of integrity, even when the world around us seems irredeemable, and it makes me wonder, how do we protect our souls in such a world? How do we stay true to our values when everything around us is telling us not to. Let's look a little deeper and try to find some answers. If we look at the Hebrew text, we see something really interesting. Genesis nineteen fifteen to sixteen reads as follows. As morning dawn, the angels urge look saying, up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city. But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and sent him outside the city. Did you hear those three words that are really important in this conversation? That phrase, but he lingered is critical to understand what happened here. In the original Hebrew, it's marked with a special symbol that we only find four times in the entire Torah. It's called a shalischellet. It's a musical note, a wavering sound between two notes in a musical number. In each of the four times we find the shalichellet. In the Torah, we find someone hesitating in their actions, just like Loa did in this story. The wavering sound of the shall shelle it captures loots internal conflict. The lingering sound in the air mirrors loots ambivalence. Lots hesitation wasn't just a pause. It was a profound back and forth struggle deep down in his soul. Look was torn. On one hand, he had built a life in Sedame, with all of its comforts and corruptions, and on the other hand, he kneved the looming judgment and God's call to leave everything behind. It's hard to admit it, but aren't we often a lout like look, hesitant, caught in the middle, like a shall shellet, that sound, caught in the tension between what we want to do and what we should do, what we are already comfortable in, and what we know we should change. But why would Lot hesitate, you might ask. The entire city's about to go up in fire and brimstone. It's about to be obliterated. Lot knows that. Why wouldn't he just leave? Jewish commentaries through the century say that Lout wanted to save his wealth. They wanted to save his material possessions, which lay in his home and Sedome. You see, despite the influence of his uncle Abraham, Lot was never comfortable with Abraham's priorities. Abraham put life and family first, Loot put comfort and wealth first. Well, we see in the scriptures that Lot does escape at the very last minute, but not before his story shows us the stark difference between these two outlooks on life, Lots or Abraham's. We have to choose two wavered like the shall shell it note or Abraham, who wasn't perfect and who made dire mistakes, but who always followed God's call with an unwavering faith, a faith that he would pass down to the chosen people. And that's the thing about God's word, even in dark stories such as these slivers of Light breakthrough. And that's the thing about God's word, even in dark stories such as these Slivers of Light Breakthrough. Let's turn to Bishop Laneer to shed a bit of light on this story.
Well, we're now entering one of the darkest portions of scripture to be found anywhere in the Bible, and the central character of this plot is none other than Lot. That's fine, The nephew of Abraham. You can't help but think of that moment when God called the Abraham, and one of the stipulations was Abraham, leave your family behind, And yet he brings Lot, his nephew with him. Now, of course, I realize that in the Christian scriptures there is that reference that if a man dies, that it is his brother's responsibility to inherit that family and to raise them as his own. I don't know if that's at work, that's at play here, I don't know. I do know this, there's never a moment in this situation where a Lot ever brings value to Abraham's life. In fact, Lot is continuously perpetually a dishonoring force in Abraham's life, and God will not honor a dishonoring person.
Or people.
He must have been the most failed family man to be found in the Bible. I think of that David, who had to be the worst father. I mean, consider the sons and the daughters that were continuously rising in rebellion and contention and dissension within the family, until ultimately one of his own sons, Absalom, organizes an army to kill his father, the king.
David.
But where was David supposed to learn family life. Please, we don't even know who his mother was. His father, Jesse, never really believed in him. His brothers minimized him. Oddly enough, it was not until Bathsheba and Solomon meaning wisdom that David began to understand little bit more. And He's spent some of the final seasons of his life finding and accumulating and gathering those essential things that his son Solomon might need to build, to erect, to construct and present unto God this extraordinary, sophisticated, glorious temple. But this Lot, this Lot. Can I tell you I have a problem. I'm a Christian. I look to the New Testament, and there's actually a verse in there that refers to Lot as.
Righteous.
Now I bow myself humbly, completely immediately to the scriptures. But I'm telling you, in my own sense of reasoning, I can't find one thing in the life of Lot that's remotely righteous. He's sitting at the gate when those two angelic beings who had left Abraham and the other and those two angelic beings have arrived to Sodom, and there is Lot sitting at the gate, more like at the town hall. Listening, watching, discerning, navigating, and all of a sudden he looks up and with the discernment he probably got from his uncle Abraham, like every other good thing in Lot's life, he realizes, we've got a problem. Holiness just entered the city and this is not a holy city. So he rushes, and you can almost feel the panic and the hectic sense in his life. And he looks at them, and I can hear him say, what are you doing here? I've got to get you out of this space. This is not good. You'll come home with me. You'll go into my house and we will wash your feet, we will prepare a meal. You can sleep in our beds, and the next morning early you can get out of here and everything.
Will be fine.
Why was Lots so panicked? Where we had learned earlier that one of the beings said to Abraham, the stench of sin in that city has already reached heaven, and we've come to deal with it. You know, there there are neighborhoods and cities, even nations, who have lost themselves to darkness, to debauchery, and this sodom and Gomara is one such place. A Lot brings them into his house, and it doesn't take long before some of the residents who have watched them into his space began pounding on the doors and demanding saw visitors come into this city. Open your doors and let us in, and let us have those visitors to ourselves, that we can have sexual relations with them. And Lot says, no, you can't have these men. Look, look, I have daughters. They're virgins, they've never been touched by a man. I'll give them to you, and you do with him whatever you want to do. Please, can someone tell me how a father, I don't care the circumstance, could say I will sacrifice my own virgin daughters. And it becomes unnecessary for a Lot to sacrifice his daughters because these angelic beings have the power to blind these men who are obsessed and already blinded. And these angelic beings say to Lot, judgment has come.
To this city.
Now used talk to your family, you prepare them, you get your things together, and we have come to help you escape. We are your arc and you're going to miss the flood if you get in the boat. Now, this Lot, this Lot, this dishonoring lot, you remember the blessings of God upon Lot's life had nothing to do with a conversation from God to Lot. This's never a moment of a divine dialogue with Heaven. In Lot's life, He's prospered, he's multiplied, he's increased, he's privileged simply because he's related to Abraham. And the blessing began to expand and extend. It became a point of contention between Lot and his servants. Humility would have said, hey, listen, I wouldn't have anything in my life if it weren't for my uncle. So there's not going to be any arguing or bickering or debating. Whatever belongs to my uncle belongs to my uncle. And I will even seed my blessings into hum There'll be no arguing between our servants. When it came to choosing the land, Humility would have said, choose the land. I don't have a place to lay my head unless my uncle provides for me. So no, Uncle, Abraham, you choose what's right for you.
But he didn't do that.
He's kidnapped, and when he's returned, I don't remember seeing anything about Lot ever being grateful for his rescue, and he just sits at the gate and tried to rush the angels away, and stood at the doorway negotiating away his virgin daughters. And he couldn't even influence his sons or sons in law to leave that city against the judgment. And when the angels are leading them out, he hesitates, and his wife turns and looks the other way. His daughters end up using him to impregnate themselves. This is a failed family man. And that's all I'm going to say in this section. Right now, this is a bad situation. This is as dark as you get. But hear me, there's a lot of us who've made horrible mistakes. Maybe you have. Maybe your family is in trouble because you said the wrong thing, you went the wrong place, you had the wrong relationationship, and right now you're in a crisis. I'm telling you, I'm convinced God will dispatch his mercies, his love and angelic force to find a way to take you from the darkness and to lead you to that place of redemption. I declare it by God.
Amen.
I want to end by talking about Abraham's view from above Sidome. He sees the carnage from a distance, thinking that his prayers to God have gone unanswered. Each year, I have the privilege of standing before the ancient stones of the Hotel the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, the privilege of bringing the prayers of the Fellowship's friends and supporters to this holiest place in the world, of adding the prayers of my faithful friends today to the prayers of generations which came before us. Read a few psalms, David's timeless words resonating deep within my soul, And then I take these prayers, your prayers to God. I think of the countless times I've prayed for those in dire need. Often God answers with the resounding yes, but sometimes the response is silence. When our prayers go what feels like unanswered, it can shake the very foundations of our faith. We find ourselves questioning is God even listening? When we find ourselves asking if God is listening, Let's try to remember Abraham, a man of profound faith facing a heart wrenching situation. He had pleaded with God to spare Sadom and Gamara, only to rise the next morning and see smoke ascending from the city's ruins. Abraham's prayers, it seemed, had gone on answer God's answer had been no. But Abraham doesn't rage against God or even challenge his will. There is no crisis of faith, no wavering in his devotion. Despite his fervent prayers. Abraham's faith remains unshaken, steadfast, even loyal, in the face of apparent silence. And then the Bible tells us that God remembered Abraham and saved his nephew Lot. Let's all remember that God remembers us too, that he hears our prayers, and he has plans to bless us even when we think his answer is no. So I'll leave you with this blessing IV Hashem vischmerchra Yeah her Hashem panave e y sa Hashem.
Salon.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you. May he be gracious to you. May the Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.
You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein add free by downloading and subscribing to the prey dot Com app today. This Prey dog comproduction is only made possible by our dedicated team of creative talents, Steve Gattina, Max bard Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive producers of The Chosen People with Yiel Eckstein, Edited by Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by Jonathan Cotton, Aaron Salvato, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold, Sylvia Zaradoc and the opening prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith, written by Bree Rosalie and Aaron Salvato. Special thanks to Bishop Paulinia, Robin van Ettin, kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller, and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the Prey dot com app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People with Yile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.