COVER • CONTENTS • ORDER
NOVEMBER 2020 | Personal UPDATE
ARTICLE
Ron Matsen President, Koinonia House
T
LIVING LIKE LOT
he story of Lot is a tale of privilege, provision, and perversion. To begin with, Lot’s name means “covering,” as in a veil that hides the truth of what is inside. That should give you a hint as to the type of person we will find as we explore this enigmatic character. Perhaps there is a pattern to observe here that might give us some insight into those who seem to fall into the traps of the world. Provision by Association
Lot first appears in the Biblical narrative as the nephew of Abram.1 After the death of his father Haran, Lot is taken by his grandfather Terah and Uncle Abram.2 When Abram is 75 years old, he takes Lot and leaves the region of his father.3 Lot no doubt was aware of the divine visitation of Abram that took place at Bethel where God promises, “To your descendants I will give this land.”4 During a time of famine in the land of Canaan, Lot witnessed the provision of God while they were all taking shelter in Egypt.5 His life was saved because of his association with Abram. Egypt is where both Abram and Lot become rich with “livestock, in silver and in gold.”6 So, Lot’s wealth also came through his association with Abram. After traveling back to Bethel, where Abram had received the promise of God and built an altar consecrating this place, this newfound wealth soon became a problem between Abram and Lot. 1 Genesis 11:27 2 Genesis 11:31 3 Genesis 12:4,5 4 Genesis 12:7 5 Genesis 12:10-20 6 Genesis 13:2,5 VOLUME 30 | ISSUE 11 |
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