Choices in the Life of Lot

May 3 – 9, 2026

Key Text

“Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.” 2 Peter 2:9

Study Help: Patriarchs and Prophets, 56–170; Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 108–113

Introduction

“It will be more tolerable in the day of judgment for the cities of the plain than for those who have known the love of Christ, and yet have turned away to choose the pleasures of a world of sin.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 165

Sunday

1 A SERIOUS MISTAKE

1.a. When Lot and Abraham separated, what mistake did Lot make, and why? Genesis 13:10–13; Jude 7

Note: “Lot chose Sodom for his home because he saw that there were advantages to be gained there from a worldly point of view. But after he had established himself, and grown rich in earthly treasure, he was convinced that he had made a mistake in not taking into consideration the moral standing of the community in which he was to make his home.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 110

1.b. What should we remember when we choose a place to establish our residence? Ephesians 5:8–11; 1 Corinthians 15:33

Note: “In choosing a home, God would have us consider, first of all, the moral and religious influences that will surround us and our families. We may be placed in trying positions, for many cannot have their surroundings what they would; and whenever duty calls us, God will enable us to stand uncorrupted, if we watch and pray, trusting in the grace of Christ. But we should not needlessly expose ourselves to influences that are unfavorable to the formation of Christian character. When we voluntarily place ourselves in an atmosphere of worldliness and unbelief, we displease God and drive holy angels from our homes.

“Those who secure for their children worldly wealth and honor at the expense of their eternal interests, will find in the end that these advantages are a terrible loss. Like Lot, many see their children ruined, and barely save their own souls.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 169

Monday

2 A GOOD EXAMPLE

2.a. Why can it be said that, though Lot was in Sodom, he was not of Sodom? 2 Peter 2:7, 8

Note: “In Sodom there was mirth and revelry, feasting and drunkenness. The vilest and most brutal passions were unrestrained. The people openly defied God and His law and delighted in deeds of violence.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 157

“The dwellers in Sodom were corrupt; vile conversation greeted his [Lot’s] ears daily, and his righteous soul was vexed by the violence and crime he was powerless to prevent. His children were becoming like these wicked people, for association with them had perverted their morals. Taking all these things into consideration, the worldly riches he had gained seemed small and not worth the price he had paid for them.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 110

2.b. What can we learn from the consistent attitude of Lot while he lived in Sodom? Genesis 19:1–3; Hebrews 13:2

Note: “Seeing the abuse to which strangers were exposed in Sodom, Lot made it one of his duties to guard them at their entrance, by offering them entertainment at his own house. He was sitting at the gate as the travelers approached, and upon observing them, he rose from his place to meet them.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 158

Tuesday

3 A CORRUPTING INFLUENCE

3.a. Despite the detrimental influence upon the spiritual stability of Lot, what did his appeal to the Sodomites reveal? Genesis 19:6–8. What should we learn from Lot’s experience in Sodom?

Note: “When iniquity abounds in a nation, there is always to be heard some voice giving warning and instruction, as the voice of Lot was heard in Sodom. Yet Lot could have preserved his family from many evils had he not made his home in this wicked, polluted city. All that Lot and his family did in Sodom could have been done by them, even if they had lived in a place some distance away from the city. Enoch walked with God, and yet he did not live in the midst of any city polluted with every kind of violence and wickedness, as did Lot in Sodom.” Evangelism, 78

3.b. What type of mentality did Lot’s daughters develop while living in Sodom? Genesis 19:30–32

Note: “The sinful conduct of his [Lot’s] daughters was the result of the evil associations of that vile place. Its moral corruption had become so interwoven with their character that they could not distinguish between good and evil. Lot’s only posterity, the Moabites and Ammonites, were vile, idolatrous tribes, rebels against God and bitter enemies of His people” Patriarchs and Prophets, 167, 168

“The sinful conduct of his [Lot’s] daughters after leaving Sodom was the result of wicked associations while there. The sense of right and wrong was confused in their minds, and sin did not appear as sin to them.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 112

Wednesday

4 THE LAST CALL

4.a. Why did God not give Sodom one more chance as He later did for Nineveh? Genesis 18:32; 19:13, 14; Jonah 3:5, 10

Note: “The Sodomites had passed the boundary of mercy, and no more light was granted to them prior to their destruction. Had the warning gone through these cities of the plain, and had they been told just what was to come, who of them would have believed it?” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 1, 1093, 1094

4.b. What call did God’s messengers extend to Lot and his family? What warnings should we heed from that call and from Lot’s hesitation? Genesis 19:15–26; 2 Timothy 2:19

Note: “How reluctant was Lot to obey the angel and go as far as possible from corrupt Sodom, appointed to utter destruction! He distrusted God and pleaded to remain. Living in the wicked city had weakened his faith and confidence in the justice of the Lord. He pleaded that he could not do as he was required, lest some evil should overtake him, and he should die. Angels were sent on a special mission to save the lives of Lot and his family; but Lot had so long been surrounded by corrupting influences that his sensibilities were blunted, and he could not discern the works of God and His purposes; he could not trust himself in His hands to do His bidding. He was continually pleading for himself, and this unbelief cost him the life of his wife.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, 111

Thursday

5 A WARNING FOR OUR DAYS

5.a. Give the reasons why the attitude of Lot’s wife should be taken as a warning in these last days. Luke 17:32

Note: “The wife of Lot was a selfish, irreligious woman, and her influence was exerted to separate her husband from Abraham. But for her, Lot would not have remained in Sodom, deprived of the counsel of the wise, God-fearing patriarch. The influence of his wife and the associations of that wicked city would have led him to apostatize from God had it not been for the faithful instruction he had early received from Abraham. The marriage of Lot and his choice of Sodom for a home were the first links in a chain of events fraught with evil to the world for many generations.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 174

“While her [Lot’s wife’s] body was upon the plain, her heart clung to Sodom, and she perished with it. She rebelled against God because His judgments involved her possessions and her children in the ruin. Although so greatly favored in being called out from the wicked city, she felt that she was severely dealt with, because the wealth that it had taken years to accumulate must be left to destruction. Instead of thankfully accepting deliverance, she presumptuously looked back to desire the life of those who had rejected the divine warning.” Ibid., 161

5.b. What lesson does the history of Sodom and Gomorrah teach us today? 2 Peter 2:6; Luke 17:28–30

Note: “The flames that consumed the cities of the plain shed their warning light down even to our time. We are taught the fearful and solemn lesson that while God’s mercy bears long with the transgressor, there is a limit beyond which men may not go on in sin. When that limit is reached, then the offers of mercy are withdrawn, and the ministration of judgment begins.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 162–165

“Licentiousness is the special sin of this age. Never did vice lift its deformed head with such boldness as now. The people seem to be benumbed, and the lovers of virtue and true goodness are nearly discouraged by its boldness, strength, and prevalence. The iniquity which abounds is not merely confined to the unbeliever and the scoffer. Would that this were the case, but it is not. Many men and women who profess the religion of Christ are guilty. Even some who profess to be looking for His appearing are no more prepared for that event than Satan himself. They are not cleansing themselves from all pollution. They have so long served their lust that it is natural for their thoughts to be impure and their imaginations corrupt. It is as impossible to cause their minds to dwell upon pure and holy things as it would be to turn the course of Niagara and send its waters pouring up the falls.” Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, 346

Friday

PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS

How may our priorities be perilously out of order as were Lot’s?
What good qualities can we learn from the example of Lot?
Why was the character of Lot’s daughters so different from his?
Knowing well the corruption in Sodom, why did Lot delay his exit?
What solemn warnings are we to heed from this lesson?