Righteous But Ruined

by Joe Fitch

Lot is remembered with the infamous city of Sodom. Yet Lot was not evil; the Bible names him “righteous Lot”—God “...turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes…delivered righteous Lot” (2 Pet. 2:6). Details of “righteous Lot” are impressive. He kept himself from the evil of Sodom. Lot did not buy into “when in Rome, do as the Romans.” He did right while everyone else was doing wrong. Good for Lot!

More, Lot’s attitude was right toward evil. He “...was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked” (v. 7). He never got comfortable with abominations: “for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds” (v. 8). His resistance rose from “his righteous soul”—his good character was a flower in a briar patch. Good for Lot!

Lot stood up for right—even when the entire city opposed him. “The men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house…they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door” (Gen.19:4, 9). He did not back down—not even if it cost him dearly—not even when he was protecting strangers. He had courage; he did the right thing. Good for Lot!

God accepted Lot—pronounced him “righteous” and “godly” (2 Pet.2:9). Righteous says he did right; godly says he respected God. Good marks for Lot—inspired no less.

That sounds great. It is! “Righteous Lot” got all those important—vitally important things—exactly right. But then, there is the rest of the story—his ruin. He got some very important things terribly wrong—not sinful, but bad—not evil, but foolish. His ruin was the result. “Does the Bible say I will go to hell if I do that?” Maybe not. Bad decisions are not necessarily sinful, yet they may surely ruin your life—even without sending you to hell.

Lot chose Sodom’s fertile plains, and in the bargain acquired Sodom’s problems and enemies. Soon he was a captive. Chedorlaomer conquered Sodom, and “they also took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed” (Gen. 14:12). He lost everything—even his freedom by being in Sodom. Moving to Sodom was not a sin, but it surely meant ruin. Only Abram’s rescue spared “righteous Lot” from a total disaster. “So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people” (Gen. 14:16).

Lot chose green grass and water without considering the evil environment. Was that choice a sin? No! Was it a good place to live? No! Was it hazardous to Lot and his family? Oh, yes! It was a good place for sheep; it was a terrible place for people—especially children. “Righteous Lot” surely learned the high cost of living there.

He entered Sodom as “rich Lot.” I doubt he left rich. There was hardly time to move his livestock before the brimstone rained down. Where do you next find Lot? “...he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave” (Gen.19:30). I think Sodom spelled financial ruin for “righteous Lot”—still righteous but ruined by a foolish, materialistic choice.

Though Lot vacated Sodom, his ruin was far from over. His family remained in smoldering Sodom. Before Lot was clear of the plains, he also lost his wife. Her heart and eyes “looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt” (19:26)—a lingering payment for living in Sodom. The next scene shows Lot drunk (19:33). Sad scene—conduct unbecoming “righteous Lot.” Bad decisions are not necessarily sinful, but they often lead eventually to sin and spiritual ruin. “Righteous Lot” is a case in point. The downward spiral continued; his ruin worse. He became a fornicator with his own daughters. “But it was their plan, their fault.” Right! Yet that removed none of his shame—changed the incest not at all. Sodom’s toll! Lot’s stay in Sodom was paid in the currency of defiled integrity. Doubtless “righteous Lot” would have fared much better in the desert with Abram!

Don’t travel with “righteous Lot” seeing only the alluring money without considering the cost to your marriage, children, or spirituality. Don’t settle down with “righteous Lot” seeing the beautiful country without noticing the absence of spiritual support—no strong church. Don’t join “righteous Lot” and tally all your prosperity without calculating all that you are losing. Don’t end up with “righteous Lot”—righteous but all alone—righteous but broken hearted. Don’t share a fool’s choice with “righteous Lot”—along with the broken heart and bitter tears.