Just Lot

“And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (for that righteous man dwelling among them,

in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

the LORD knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,

and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.”

(2 Peter 2:7-9)

The common assessment of Lot is that he was a backslidden child of God for leaving Abraham and dwelling in Sodom. However, reading this Testimony of God concerning Lot, something doesn’t fit. Men preach him as an example of one who ‘left the Faith’ and dwelt in sin and disobedience until the LORD ultimately came and delivered him and destroyed Sodom. Yet, here, he is declared to be a just man who was vexed in his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.

1.) Lot was a just man before moving to Sodom, Gen. 13:10-12:

The conflict between Abraham and Lot’s servants was such that, they were directed of the LORD to separate, not out of hatred but necessity. In the name of peace, Abraham directed Lot to choose a direction and he would go in the other. Here’s where we see the Faith that was given to Lot, knowing that the LORD had already promised the land to Abraham, Lot was directed to move toward Sodom, where the LORD had prepared a fertile soil for his livestock. Lot showed himself a just man, by God’s Grace, in not taking to himself what belonged unto another. This is not speaking of any justification from His sins before God. That would be when Christ would come and pay His sin debt along with all the elect of the Old Testament, Hebrews 9:15-16. But ‘just’ in his dealings with Abraham according to the gift of Grace given Him for Christ’s sake.

2.) Lot was a just man while living in Sodom, v. 7: “...for that righteous man dwelling among them…” (2 Peter 2:8) Here, we see that God makes a difference between the righteous and the wicked. It’s not where they live nor how much wickedness surrounds them nor even that is in their heart, Romans 7:18. Those who are the LORD’s HE declares righteous for Christ’s sake. Lot was one who was separated out by the Spirit of God and caused to look to the coming of Christ Who would shed His blood and pay his debt. Christ was ALL his righteousness. The righteous are those for whom Christ paid the debt. The wicked are those who are left to themselves without the redeeming, justifying work of the LORD Jesus. They are reserved for judgment, 2 Peter 2:9. Lot was marked out as one of the LORD’s righteous ones for whom Christ would come and die and he was preserved by the Spirit of Grace from the filthy conversation of those among whom he lived, exactly in accord with what Christ prayed for His own, John 17:15. The original phrase, which is rendered ‘filthy’ has reference to licentiousness. The corruption of Sodom was open and shameless and Lot was compelled to see much of it, which pained his heart. The word here rendered ‘vexed’ means that he was wearied or burdened. The crimes of those around him, he found difficult to bear.

3.) Lot was a just man according to God’s purpose for him in Christ, v.8: While the unjust are reserved unto the day of judgment to be punished, the righteous [in Christ] are preserved and kept to God’s glory: “The LORD knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations.” (2 Peter 2:9) All those that God purposed to save in Christ, He has saved through the shed blood of Christ on the cross and He can lose nothing, John 6:39. God’s ‘knowing’ implies not only His infinite wisdom whereby He is never at a loss but knows all the various ways whereby the Godly [in Christ] may be delivered by His everlasting love and sovereign will for them [in Christ]: “Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The LORD knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ shall depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19)