QT 11 Jun 19, Gen 18:32-33, Decisions have consequences

Genesis 18:32–33 (ESV) — 32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” 33 And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

NOTE: Abraham's prayer involves a series of the same request -- 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, 10 -- before stopping at ten righteous. He was probably thinking that Lot must have had an effect on some of the people in Sodom. I suppose going to 5 would not have worked either, since only 4 people were saved. And to be true to the story, those 4 were taken out of the city, although one turned back. So whatever the number, God knew it, and he was determined to destroy the city for their sins of sexual immorality (homosexuality, sex outside of marriage, adultery, and in other passages we also read of 'greed'). Lot's righteous life, while tormented by the sin, did little to change the surrounding culture. There was not one single convert in the city. Lot went to Sodom rich, and he left with only his children and the clothes on his back. It all goes back to a decision he made when he was allowed to live in the north or the south of the land, and he chose east, out of the land and toward the rich land of Sodom and Gomorrah. Decisions have consequences. God saves us, but he does not always save us from the consequences of our choices. Some decisions have irrevocable consequences.

PRAYER: Father protect me, and protect my family from poor decisions. Help us to be wise, and help us to know your best. If we need to wait, help us wait. If we need to move, help us to get moving.