I looked at one of the most popular themes in the Bible that appears in both the Old and New Testaments: grace. In Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we see Lot, a man who received God’s grace despite the grave sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Much like Noah and his family before him, Lot was saved by grace amidst God’s wrath, judgment, and destruction because of the sins of the people in their time.
Grace appears in the language of favour and mercy in the lives of Lot and his family. Lot’s plea for favour in the sight of the Lord’s angels resembles Noah’s, who found grace in God’s eyes. Lot received grace mainly through the intercession of his uncle Abraham.
Genesis 19:19 (NKJV) states, “Indeed now, your servant has found favour in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die.” The words favour and grace are used interchangeably.
Grace brings in God’s covenant. Because of God’s covenant with Abraham, He explained His intention regarding Sodom and Gomorrah (See Genesis 18:17–21), not out of obligation but to confirm the covenant relationship and empower Abraham, as a prophet, to intercede for one of his family members who would be affected by the impending judgment. Abraham, Lot’s relative, interceded on Lot’s behalf when God shared His intention. As a result, Lot found favour in the sight of God’s two angels, as the Lord showed mercy to him.
Where sin, judgment, and destruction exist, grace appears. When judgment occurs, grace arises. God’s grace exempted Lot, saving him from God’s wrath, judgment, and destruction. We also see God’s grace extended to Lot’s wife, daughters, and their husbands. Unfortunately, the husbands of Lot’s daughters did not survive, and Lot’s wife, who looked back, became a pillar of salt. The lesson is that while grace makes a way, obedience takes the way. Turning back to what is judged and destroyed forfeits the salvation that grace provides. God’s grace exemption (being free from God’s wrath) for Lot and the extension (inclusion) of God’s grace to all that concerns Lot (including his family, except his wife, who was rebellious and disobedient) is clear.
Genesis 19:26 (NKJV) recounts, “But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”
God’s grace comes before your goodness in character and conduct. Lot is hospitable, fears God, and is humble, as he refers to himself as a servant. Lot is also described as a righteous man. Grace precedes goodness and shapes it. Lot’s hospitality and humility are demonstrated as he welcomes and protects the angels of the Lord, submitting himself to their guidance. Grace comes first, and character follows, not the other way around. This idea is reflected in Noah, Abraham, and Lot, and at the core of the Christian faith, grace precedes righteousness, with Jesus as the fullness of grace and us as the righteousness of God in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).
2 Peter 2:7–8 (NKJV) affirms this idea: grace saves; righteous Lot was not saved because of his righteousness. stating, “and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked” and “for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds.”
In conclusion, God granted Abraham grace. In response, Abraham interceded for his family member Lot to receive grace, just as he had once rescued Lot and the people of Sodom and Gomorrah after they were captured by invading kings in Genesis 14. With God observing Abraham’s care and compassion for his family, His grace extended to Lot and his family for Abraham’s sake. Just as God remembered Noah, He also remembered Lot for Abraham’s sake (see Genesis 19:29). Ultimately, God’s visitation and remembrance of Abraham reached Lot, and Abraham’s intercession rescued Lot through God’s grace and mercy.
Contributor: Brahim M. Kallon (Wisdom Grace)
