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The story of Lot and his daughters is one of the more controversial narratives in the Bible. This story is found in the book of Genesis, and it provides insights into the actions of Lot’s daughters, as well as the broader context of their lives and the aftermath of their decisions.
Background of Lot and His Daughters
Lot was the nephew of Abraham, and he lived in the city of Sodom with his family. The Bible describes Sodom and Gomorrah as cities filled with wickedness. God decided to destroy these cities because of their sinful nature. However, because of Abraham’s plea, God agreed to spare Lot and his family. Two angels were sent to warn Lot to escape with his family before the destruction (Genesis 19:1-22).
Escape from Sodom
Lot, his wife, and his two daughters fled Sodom. However, Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, leaving Lot and his daughters to continue alone.
Genesis 19:23-26 (NKJV):
“The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar. Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”
The Deception of Lot
Lot and his daughters eventually settled in a cave in the mountains. It is here that the narrative of their deception unfolds. Fearing that there were no men left to continue their family line, Lot’s daughters took drastic measures.
Genesis 19:30-32 (NKJV):
“Then Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave. Now the firstborn said to the younger, ‘Our father is old, and there is no man on the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the earth. Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father.'”
Execution of the Plan
Lot’s daughters executed their plan on two consecutive nights. They made their father drink wine to the point of intoxication, where he was unaware of their actions.
Genesis 19:33-35 (NKJV):
“So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. It happened on the next day that the firstborn said to the younger, ‘Indeed I lay with my father last night; let us make him drink wine tonight also, and you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father.’ Then they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.”
The Bible record tells us that Lot “did not know” when each “lay down or when she arose” (verses 33,35). Although Lot is not responsible for the action of his daughters, he did accept to drink the wine that was offered to him.
Consequences of the Deception
As a result of this deception, both daughters became pregnant by their father. The children born from these unions were the ancestors of two groups in biblical history: the Moabites and the Ammonites.
Genesis 19:36-38 (NKJV):
“Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day.”
Analysis and Implications
The actions of Lot’s daughters reflect a lack of moral guidance. In this story Lot’s daughters displayed the evil effects of Sodom. They grew up in a city where all forms of immorality were widespread; as a result, their judgment became corrupted and their conscience dull. Lot failed to protect his daughters from becoming victims of the Sodomites, and he apparently didn’t instill in them the principles of right and wrong.
Lot made very poor decisions in his life. He chose to live in the city of Sodom instead of a simple life outside the cities. He did that for the sole purpose of gaining material prosperity. The few years he lived in Sodom resulted in great losses. And the wicked and idolatrous Moabites and Ammonites were his only posterity. Whereas Abraham, who chose to dwell outside the wicked cities, was preserved with his entire family and possessions, and more importantly, his legacy.
The Moabites and Ammonites, descendants of Lot’s daughters, play significant roles in the biblical narrative. The Moabites are mentioned frequently in the Old Testament, often in conflict with the Israelites. And the Ammonites also feature in the biblical history, often as adversaries of Israel.
Judges 11:4-5 (NKJV):
“It came to pass after a time that the people of Ammon made war against Israel. And so it was, when the people of Ammon made war against Israel, that the elders of Gilead went to get Jephthah from the land of Tob.”
Conclusion
The story of Lot’s daughters is a powerful narrative that highlights the degradation of the human race. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of wrong decisions made in isolation, desperation and fear. Through their actions, Lot’s daughters inadvertently became the ancestors of two groups that became Israel’s enemies for generations. Their story, as recorded in Genesis 19:30-38, remains a part of the biblical narrative, offering lessons about morality and the need to trust God in every action believing that He has the solution to every problem.
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team