Community answers are sorted based on votes. The higher the vote, the further up an answer is.
S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The first incident involving Lot's daughters appears in Genesis 19:1-11. Two men who were really angels appeared in Sodom where Lot lived with his family. The wicked men of the city surrounded Lot'...
Login or Sign Up to view the rest of this answer.
Kenneth Heck
It should be kept in mind that the status of women at the time of Lot was extremely low. Women were the chattel, or property, of their husbands or fathers.There was no law at that time preventing a father from selling a daughter either into prostitution or to a legitimate husband. Even today the concept of the 'bridal price" continues in Islam. Since the Mosaic and Christian revelations the status of women in society has improved remarkably. The religions of Sodom and Gomorrah didn't prohibit incest and other sexual practices we consider abominable today. The daughters of Lot, raised in this era, must have absorbed enough of those religions to make incest seem acceptable to them. In fact, their offspring, Moab and Ammon, appear to have been the less repulsive replacements for Sodom and Gomorrah. One instance supporting this would be the temptation of Israelite men by Moabite women at the instigation of Balaam during the 40 years in the desert. The issue with Lot isn't what God allowed, but how much better the life of Lot would have been if he had possessed some inkling of the Mosaic commandments and thus never attempted to live a more leisurely and comfortable life in the midst of obvious perversion and degeneracy.
William M. McCoy
God always makes good come out of our evil, which demonstrates His own holiness and righteousness. Lot could only be considered righteous because of his relationship to Abraham, in a similar fashion to us being counted righteous because of Christ's nature being gifted to us. In the particular instance of the incestuous relations of Lot with his daughters, producing Moab and Ammon, one descendant of Moab was Ruth, the grandmother of King David, designated by God as "a man after his heart" (1 Samuel 13:14). David himself had struggles with bad behavior, yet through his line (by Bathsheba who had been Uriah's wife) came Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, the Messiah. The Scripture (through this genealogy—Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38) still recognizes Jesus as a descendant of David.
Mary McDonald
As far as Lot offering up his virgin daughters... First I believe Lot knew these two visiting men were different somehow, and possibly from all he knew of what God did in Abraham's life, he sensed they were special (even maybe) sent from God. Yes, Lot felt the need to protect them culturally, and because of his knowledge of past experience of God's workings, the need to protect them for who he may have sensed or believed they could be. (Which was later demonstrated by the attacking men being blinded so they could not find Lot's door.) This belief and proof must also have played into Lot's decision to leave his home and everything as the "visitors" instructed, or why would he have left everything? Second, the attackers were "homosexual" men looking to defile these "new" male visitors. (Fresh meat so to speak) They didn't want "virgin women" or they would have come after them at some point before this incident. Don't you think Lot would have known this, and knowing this offered up his daughters wisely "knowing" his daughters would be rejected. (As they apparently were) They remained in the house safely for their exodus the following morning. As far as the incest with his daughters, I believe Mr. Hickman was on target when he said this didn't happen overnight, and that the stigma of them coming from Sodom may have made them "unwanted" or "untouchable" to others living nearby. Thus they felt they would never be married or have offspring, so they made a poor choice and sinned with their father. Furthermore, sin and disobedience in itself is never right. Praise God that He uses our sins and failings (evil intent of Satan) to bring about His Plan for all mankind and for our Salvation.
James Kraft
Lot was declared righteous because of his faith, not what He did. Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he would have something to glory in, but not before God. Abraham was justified by faith apart from works. We can justify ourselves before men by good works, but not before God. We can only be justified by faith alone apart from works. Man can do nothing to pay his own sin debt, and we all sin and come short of the glory of God. First John 1:8. First John 2:2. And He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world. Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believe on Him who justifieth the ungodly, Lot, his faith is counted for righteousness. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth righteousness apart from works. Blessed is the man whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. All our sin past, present and future sins are paid in full, and we can no longer be condemned. John 5:24 John 3:18. We can be chastened by the Lord, and lose our rewards in heaven, but God can not lie. Who ever believes on Him alone apart from works is saved. Trusting in our own works can not save sinners. After we have received the free gift of eternal life, we will be rewarded in heaven for our works. First Corinthians 3:11-21. John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them gave He POWER to become the children of God, even to them that BELIEVE on His name.
Jack Gutknecht
Lot was willing to sacrifice his 2 unmarried daughters to the lust of the crowd (see Judges 19). Lot had lost his personal values in this wicked city of Sodom which had so influenced him. --Wiersbe
Add your Answer
All answers are REVIEWED and MODERATED.
Please ensure your answer MEETS all our guidelines.
A good answer provides new insight and perspective. Here are guidelines to help facilitate a meaningful learning experience for everyone.
- Adhere to the eBible Statement of Faith.
- Your answer should be complete and stand-alone.
- Include supporting arguments, and scripture references if possible. Seek to answer the "why".
- Adhere to a proper tone and spirit of love and understanding.
- For more info see The Complete Guide to eBible