The Tragedy of Lot

This week, we are reminded of the importance of walking in complete obedience to God’s Word. Disobedience – even partial obedience – carries serious consequences. Not because God desires hardship for us, no, but because every act of disobedience bears its own bitter fruit. God’s instructions carry divine wisdom, and are always for our protection. They are not to withhold any good thing from us, but to safeguard us from unseen dangers. So today, we look at two examples that not only remind us of the cost of disobedience, but also the blessing of full obedience. These accounts are written for our learning, so we don’t make the same errors and unintentionally delay the manifestation of God’s promises or invite unnecessary struggle into our lives. 

In 1 Samuel 15, the Lord commanded Saul through his prophet, Samuel: “Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey“ (vs.3). The instruction was clear and specific, leaving no room for confusion or temptation to compromise. Yet, Saul only partially obeyed. Scripture tells us that he “took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed” (vs.8-9). Saints, selective obedience is still disobedience; obeying God on our own terms is still rebellion. The Lord was displeased, for Saul had not followed His Word completely. The Lord said to Samuel, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments” (vs.10a). When Samuel confronted him, Saul defended himself, insisting that he had obeyed (vs.12-20), and shifted the blame, saying the people spared the animals to sacrifice to the Lord (v.21). But, church, we cannot disobey God to please people, nor should we obey Him only when it is convenient. That is why Samuel rebuked Saul, saying, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (vs.22). Because Saul rejected the word of the Lord, God rejected him from being king (vs.23). What a sobering lesson: disobedience cost him the throne. So, saints, let us guard our hearts against the same error and walk in full obedience to the Lord.

The story of Abram also reveals how disobedience, even in part, can cause delays and unnecessary struggles. In Genesis 12, the Lord instructed Abram, “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing“ (vs.1-2). The promise of greatness and blessing was tied to complete separation and obedience. Yet, we read that “Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him” (vs.4a). Abram obeyed – but only partially. Taking Lot, his brother’s son, meant he had not fully separated from his family as instructed. And for a while, things seemed fine, as both Abram and Lot prospered greatly. But soon, “the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock” (Genesis 13:6-7a). Partial obedience eventually produced envying, jealousy, selfish ambition, and conflict, which could have been avoided. Recognizing the danger of strife and its propensity to breed confusion, disorder, and every evil work (James 3:16), Abram sought peace, saying to Lot, “Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me” (vs.9a). At that moment, Abram took steps towards full obedience, to separating completely from Lot. Lot chose the land near Sodom and Gomorrah, unaware of the destruction that awaited it (vs.10-11). After Lot departed, the Lord spoke to Abram again, reaffirming the promise, saying, “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are – northward, southward, eastward, and westward; for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever … arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you” (vs.14-17). Only after Abram’s complete obedience did the promise begin to manifest. The same is true for us: delayed obedience often results in delayed manifestation. But, how comforting to know that when we realize where we have missed it, we can still repent and realign ourselves with God’s will. His mercy allows for course correction, but that does not mean we take it for granted. Let us walk in full obedience, so we can see the full manifestation of God’s promises in our lives without delay.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that guides, corrects, and protects us. Help us to walk in full obedience of it – not partially or when it is convenient. May we be strengthened to do Your will completely, so we can see Your promises manifest in our lives without delay. In Jesus’ name, Amen!