Genesis 13:13

The men of Sodom were wicked.

"Lot had fallen into the very vortex of vice and blasphemy. The vices which prevailed have made 'Sodom' the synonym of the most degrading and brutal crimes in society. The after history of its destruction shows the vile and unblushing vices of the people, which, made their cup of iniquity brimful, and called for the vengeance of heaven."-- Jacobus.

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

. STRIFE. ROSE.--In. country where the land is yet an unenclosed common and no one has. legal title, often the fiercest conflicts arise between herdsmen with different flocks. The only title to pastures and waters is that of force. Fierce conflicts have often arisen between the "cowboys" on our western plains, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, and many lives have been lost because "the land could not bear them all." Not long since, the newspapers noted. bloody struggle between the "cowboys" and the shepherds in which several lives were sacrificed.

THE CANAANITE AND PERIZZITE.--Strife is always an evil, full of danger and full of woe, but it is especially to be deplored when enemies are near at hand ready to leap upon those weakened in the conflict. The church should realize that "the Canaanite and Perizzite" are always in the land; enemies gloat over the conflicts of those who should be the closest friends. The enemies of Christ prosper through the conflicts of Christians. If all could be one, even as the Son and the Father are one, unbelief would cease.

LOT'S CHOICE.--No doubt Lot congratulated himself that he had done. clever thing in getting the choice of Palestine, but he over-reached himself. He was led by greed to take. right that belonged to Abraham, to go into the valley of Jordan, and to settle among the wicked. By grasping overmuch he lost all, and was indebted even for liberty to the intervention and rescue of Abraham. His selfish choice was the first step to ruin.

PITCHED HIS TENT TOWARD SODOM.--Abraham and Lot are the representatives of two classes of men. On one side are the friends of God, who will remain about Bethel, or raise. Bethel wherever they go. On the other side is. numerous class who care little for aught save that they shall have. goodly, profitable and pleasant land. They do not intend to come to. bad end and never expect to have homes in the doomed city that they see afar oft, with the dark clouds of destruction hovering over it, but when told to make their choice they see that the land is fair to the eye, promises profit and pleasure, and they rush at once to occupy it. It is true that they know that Sodom is on the borders of the land they choose, but they never intend to go there. They never purpose to fall so low, yet they will pitch their tents nearer and nearer to the wicked city, daily mingling with its ungodly inhabitants, until at last, almost before they know it, they have moved out of the plain, are out of their tents, and have homes in the wicked and doomed city.

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

1. Observe the great caravan moving slowly from Egypt to Bethel; why to Bethel, and what was done there. 2. Note the various passages that Speak of Abraham's "calling on the name of the Lord" and what they mean. 3. Point out the two chieftains, the rival interests, the grounds for strife, the fierce conflicts that still arise for water and grass. 4. Emphasize Abraham's noble example; so condescending, so patient, so unselfish, so magnanimous. Note also that his nobility was recorded. He was kept out of the track of invasion and war.. good example for. Christian in any age. 5. Note Lot's selfishness, contrast with what he ought to have done, show that it led to his ruin. Draw conclusion that selfishness does not pay. It pays to do right and be noble. 6. Observe the associations chosen by Lot. See the effect on his wife and daughters. Evil communications corrupt good manners. The conclusion is, "Not to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, or to sit in the seat of the scornful, or stand in the way of sinners. 7. Point out the fate of wicked Sodom, and show that wherever any people becomes utterly depraved it will be delivered over to destruction.