Bargaining…Not A Great Idea W/God

But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it- it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared. (Genesis 19:19b, 20 NIV)

Flee

Lot was told…flee to the mountains or he’d be swept away. Sodom and Gomorrah’s culture became sin filled, scripture states “Sin so grievous” to the point, God destroyed. He rained down burning sulfur, the cities were destroyed, including people and vegetation. God’s plan was to protect Lot and his family. His wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. And..Lot bargained with the angels…he did not feel his strength was adequate to reach the mountains.

Bargaining

We are champs at bargaining with God. We’re led to do something, and we respond, striking a deal. Only thing…when we do, we short change God’s best plans for problematic situations. Where the angels would have directed Lot to go in the mountains is unknown, yet, I’m confident…God’s best was waiting for Him and His daughters. After reaching the small town, Lot did not feel safe and decided then to reach the mountains…only this time, angels were not leading. The two daughters schemed, infiltrated with their prior culture, no consciousness of right or wrong registered…much like what’s happening in our own societies. This led to one wrong action, which sets off a ripple effect. Each daughter delivered a baby boy, fathered by their own father. Here were born two nations: one child name Moab, father of the Moabites and Ben-Ammi, father of the Ammonites.

Deeper Revelations

Today’s scripture was discussed in a recent Bible study I attended. What’s fascinating is how many times we can read/study scripture, each time we go back or with a Bible group, deeper revelations are exposed. Thoughts keep permeating…Lot could have trusted God’s plan, the angels knew where God wanted them on the mountain, yet bargaining took path of less resistance. I believe as we all did, God’s provisions for Lot and His daughters would have been sufficient and such perverse actions could have been prevented…if, he obeyed God’s plan.

Beneficial

From this day forward, I do not want to bargain with God’s directions….His plan is best for our lives. This will take great effort and diligence to stay obedient, yet will be most beneficial. Kingdoms of Ammon and Moab were often in conflict with Israel. Conflict…always a source of disobedience. Let’s never forget…there is a great amount of revelation based on Genesis 19. Make this a matter of heart, no bargaining, let’s follow God’s plans thoroughly.

Be encouraged!