Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-05
Sunday School Lesson
By
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

ern regions of Dan to secure the release
OF Lot. He moved along the pathways
of the various tribes as man of peace
and a missionary of a new faith. His
tent demonstrated that he was not
seeking to dwell permanently among
them and the erection OF his altar
taught all his intense devotion to
Jehovah.
He showed that he was a man of
peace when he took steps to avert any
conflict between the herdsmen of his
nephew and his own. Lots flock and
those of his kinsman had increased to
that extent that their men were quar-
reling about pasture lands and watering
places. Abraham considered that the
difference between them and their men
would have a bad effect upon the
heather nations, so he gave Lot the
first choice and proposed that they sep
arate in the interest of peace. Although
Lot owed everything to his being made
member of his uncles caravan, he
forgot his obligations to Abraham and
took advantage of being given the first
choice by selecting that part toward
the great centers of trade and CONNER
cial highways.
Lot pitched his tents toward Sodom
His choice determined his destiny.
Although he may not have expected to
be drawn into the evils of Sodom, it
was not long before he decided to dwell
within the city. The huge whirlpool of
its life drew Lot and his family within
the gates of Sodom. The influences of
the days he had spent with Abraham
were soon removed and his selfishness
brought him into the fellowship of sim
ners to that extent that when the city
persisted Lot lost his family and would
have been among the number reported
missing II Abraham had not enjoyed
the fellowship of Jehovah.
The Friend Of God.
God proved his friendship for Abra-
ham by numerous interviews. Any
one who is a friend of God will be a
friend of man. In one of His interviews,
that followed Abraham's reception OF
three strangers, he found that one was
Jehovah. who opened up to His friend
Abraham the peril Of Sodom that
threatened the extinction of Lot and
his family. In that remarkable inter-
view one can see something OF the
judgments, righteousness and mercy of
Jehovah.
Abraham knew the depths of Sodom's
sin demanded its destruction, yet IN no
other picture does Abraham show the
characteristics that made him friend
of God like the scriptural description
of his prayer on behalf of Sodom. He
prayed and Jehovah. who had deter
mined to destroy Sodom' on account OF
it's sin, was willing to save it, If 10
righteous men could be found within
its walls. The personalities Of few
true and righteous characters are
blessing many OF our modern cities and
saving them from being destroyed like
Sodom, that is buried beneath waters
of the Dead Sea.
Abraham tried to avert the disaster
by boldly asking Jehovah to spare
Sodom. He appealed to Gods character
and the supposed righteous men within
1t. He humbled himself before the Lord
He revealed by his prayers an intense
interest in the salvation of the sinners
within the city. He had once saved
them from an attacking foe, because
Lot and his family were in danger. He
now sought with all of his powers OF
prayer the salvation of the city. His
prayers secured an opportunity Of sal
walton for Lot and his family, but Lots
wife turned back and was lost. We
have a duty to help save men. Let us
follow the example of Abraham in faith,
prayer and practice.