Why on earth did Lot not leave Sodom if "[he] was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard" (2 Peter 2:8)?

Question

We are told that Lot was greatly tormented by the perversions of Sodom. What could possibly have been so irresistible for Lot to have remained in that depraved city? Earlier in Genesis we read of Lot's initial attraction to the cities of that area:

• Genesis 13:10: "Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere— this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah— like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar."

This is understandable, and would be a compelling reason to relocate to that area for financial gain. Almost immediately, however, we read:

• Genesis 13:13: "Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD."

Would Lot not have serious reservations living in such an area after soon witnessing the ungodliness of the people? In Peter's Second Letter we read of Lot's distress:

• 2 Peter 2:8: "[For] by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among [the Sodomites], felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds."

Who would continue to live in a city where their "righteous soul was tormented day after day?" Did Lot have little other choice but to stay? Further, it seems that by continuing to live there, he was jeopardizing everything, and would essentially lose everything he had — including his wife. What could have been the motivating factor for Lot to linger in such a dreadful place? Are there other, related passages that help us understand Lot's poor decision to remain?

Answer 1

First - you need to put this into context. Abraham had been called out away from the nation he was born under, the gods his people served. And it was he that had been called

GENESIS 12:1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you.

Abraham was told to leave his ‘kindred’ - môleḏeṯ - which specifically includes relations. Lot was Abraham’s brothers son. He wasn’t supposed to take him!

Nevertheless Lot was ‘covered’ under Gods promise to Abraham - as outlined in Genesis 12: 1-3. And God saw Lot as righteous.

But how would Lot ‘know’ what was ‘right’? What was his ‘source’ of guidance? Knowledge? God was ‘dealing’ with Abraham, but Lot and his Uncle had separated, gone their own ways. There where no ‘commandments, no ‘words’ from God! Just this inner perception that made him uncomfortable. But he was under no compulsion to ‘listen’ to this, it was his choice to ‘live’ with it. He was not violating any expectation.

So we have no basis for ‘judging’ Lot. None. Many try to! That issue over Lot being declared ‘righteous’ has perplexed and confounded many theologians. We can (should!) not use our ‘standards’ to analyse Lots behaviour. Although many love to apologetically ‘’’’ discuss ‘’’’ Lot, we should just let the Bible tell us what is … and that is that he was seen as righteous.

2 PETER 2:7 and if he rescued righteous Lot,

Answer 2

Lot's children and possibly grandchildren were there in Sodom. To leave them there would be to abandon those nearest and dearest to him. The story records what happened when he did leave.

And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: ...And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. (Genesis 19:12,14)