Genesis 19 gives the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet there is more in this chapter about Lot than the wicked cities that God rained fire and brimstone upon.
There is no doubt that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah had reached the point of no return in regard to their sin. How bad was it? Well keep in mind that there were other large cities in the world that were pagan in their religious beliefs like Sodom, yet God did not destroy them completely as he did Sodom. 

These cities were so morally and spiritually bankrupt, that not even ten righteous people could be found there. (Genesis 18:22–33).

However wicked and vile Sodom was, Lot found himself attracted to its debauchery!

But what about Lot? What was he like?  The Apostle Peter referred to him as a righteous man.
2 Peter 2:7–8 “and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);”

What on earth is a righteous man doing living in a place like Sodom?

Genesis 13 describes how Lot became introduced to the lifestyle of Sodom. If you read the text you will notice that it comes after Abraham’s, then Abram, poor decision to go down to Egypt where Lot goes with him. They come back and go their separate ways. Evidently, Lot compared the Jordan Valley, the location of Sodom, with the “garden of the LORD” (Eden) and the lushness of Egypt. The Bible tells us two things concerning Lot’s decision. 1.) “…Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom.” Genesis 13:12

Lot has not moved into Sodom, but he has his eye on it.

Secondly, “Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.” Genesis 13:13

It seems at first Lot kept a distance from this wicked place. Yet as we read in Genesis 14:12 Lot is now living in the city and has possessions. He has made a permanent move. He is captured during a battle and taken out of the city. His uncle Abraham rescues Lot and many other residents of Sodom, yet he returns, without hesitation.

We don’t know how long Lot lived in Sodom. However, it was long enough to have a wife and two daughters who were old enough to be married. But the question is still there. Why would a righteous man continue to live in a wicked place, to do business in a corrupt place, to raise his children in a godless society?

Could anything be worse? Well yes. Lot had to be physically taken out of the city by the two angels.

“As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.”  But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. Genesis 19:15–16

Lot had become addicted to the pleasure, comfort, and opportunities that sin provides. But sin can only provide temporary satisfaction. Lot’s heart and soul had become so numb to the wickedness around him, that if left up to him, he would have stayed and suffered the same fate as the Sodomites. Why did he linger knowing what was coming? He had given his heart and all his energy to life in Sodom!

Christian, are you lingering? Are you lingering in a place, in a relationship, in a sin that you shouldn’t be?  Don’t linger there!

Perhaps today you are not lingering in sin, but has God placed upon your heart to do something for him? Are you so comfortable in your current situation that you dare not add the stress of serving? Don’t Linger there!