“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.” (Ge 13:10 AV)
The plain to which Lot desired to go is compared to the Garden of Eden. This is prime real estate. Lot and his uncle, Abraham, had a falling out. The LORD was blessing them both. They had increase in flocks. They needed more pasture and water than what they possessed. This resulted in the workmen between the two households striving with one another over limited resources. Being older and wiser, Abraham suggested they part households and Lot have first choice of where he wanted to settle. Abraham would trust the LORD following Lot’s choice. Whatever Lot chose, Abraham would go the opposite direction. Lot looks over the pasture to the east and decides it is perfect land wherein he could increase his household. The plain was lush with pasture, and there was every reason to believe they would lack for nothing if he chose it. The plain of Jordan was compared to the Garden of Eden. It was perfect in every way. Except for one. The plain of Jordan was too close to five wicked cities of the Gentiles. Eventually, because Lot chose the best, he lost his everything. Sometimes the best is not best for us.
Further evidence that the best may not be the best for us is the comparison of the plain of Jordan with the land of Egypt. I have been watching a series hosted by an archeologist who travels the world looking for answers to the mysteries in history. He has looked for evidence of myths and legends passed down through hundreds or thousands of years. In one episode, he was looking for evidence of the Norse Vikings' presence on the North American continent that predates the voyage of Christopher Columbus. Another episode looked into the history of henges like Stonehenge. He is an honest host who doesn’t push way-out theories like aliens or the supernatural. It is refreshing. Currently, I am watching a series on three female Pharaohs of Egypt. History records their existence, but archaeological evidence is scarce. In particular, he is looking for their tombs. Being Pharaohs, it is puzzling they were lost to time. No one knows where their remains rest. In this episode, he travels the Nile. His words reflect the words of Genesis. He observes the beauty of the Nile and then calls it paradise. Four thousand years later, from Lot to present day, the Nile is considered equal to Eden. The plain of Jordan reflects the same. The problem with the Nile is that it became the foundation of a wicked and false religion. What God gave to be enjoyed, man turned to sin. God’s best was a stumbling block to wicked men. Sometimes, the best is not the best for us.
Why didn’t the LORD allow Adam and Eve to remain in the Garden of Eden? Why drive them from it? It was the best possible place of them. Why not allow them to enjoy a garden already provided and do nothing more than care for it? Why drive them from it and require Adam to till his own land and plant his own garden? Because sometimes God’s best is not the best of us. Why did God drive the people from the tower of Babel? After all, combining talents, knowledge, etc would advance the human race much quicker than if they were separated by distance and culture. Because sometimes, God’s best is not the best for us. Why was it that Lot was removed to a mountain rather than another city where his daughters might find husbands and he might find a wife? Why was Leah a better wife to Jacob than Rachel? Why call a family away from relatives to start fresh from an untamed land like Canaan? Why have a nation cross Jordan and fight for every inch of land when they could have survived in the wilderness just fine? Why does God without what seems to be better and ask us to settle for what seems like less? Because God’s best may not be the best for us. Lot did not learn that lesson. Abraham did. Lot lost his family and eventually his life. Abraham gained a nation.
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