"lo tt nob a one" Genesis 19, 20
There is no more fascinating story book in the world than that Hfrom which our text is chosen this evening. For the Bible is full of [wonderful stories but among all its books note can rival Genesis. stands without a peer as the story book. The narrative is more than 3,000 years old but written with such cénsumate still that its characters still live before us.
Let us consider one of them this evening. You remember that when Abram heard and answered the divine call to go out into a new land where he might serve God and found a nation that should be his [petaMar—People,.e_took with him {his nephew Lot. This mai Lot only! plays a small part in the story but the study of his life will repay our lose attention. He had such great opportunities and yet failed 80 niterly. His life opened with such glorious promise and yet went out ina midnight of despair. The cause of hi tragic failure is not difficult to discover. He had at least one great failing. Lot did not appreciate the importance of little things. jeall your attention to it because it Ted to his downfall, as it has led to the downfall of many thousands I through the ages. Further it is very common failing among men and women in the world to-day, Prosperity Yet Friction Look at the history of this man. Abram and Lot left Haran together, and journeyed westward until ther jeame to Canaan, Here they' prospered amazingly. "But prosperity did not increase their happiness. Friction developed between their rowing retinaes of servants. They ded to separate. You will remember Abram's generous offer to the younger man, and Lot's selfish choice, Lot forgot that he owed everything to the older man, forgot that God's promise was first of all to Abram, And Lot chose the fertile valley of the Jordan, with its well watered plains and' social And he pitched over iniquity which God has d to destroy. God reveals his purpose to Abram, and in answer to Abram's intercession he sonds_ angel to deliver Lot and his family from the impending catastrophe. The angel persuades Lot and his two daughters to flee safely away. But it is with difficulty and after much persuasion. They come to Zoar, and Lot begs to be allowed to Temain here, near the wreck of his fortunes justifying his action in the}: Jwords of our text. God will not destroy Zoar with the other cities, for "Ts it not a little one." and promise, from friendship with Abram and the service of God, to alienation and ruin and a cave to cower in,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.