In Genesis 19:30-38, the story of Lot’s daughters unfolds as they find themselves in a desperate situation. Believing that they are the last people on Earth, they make a drastic and morally questionable decision. They slept with their father in order to preserve their family line. This act of incest raises important questions about the lengths people are willing to go to ensure their own survival.
Lot was old and his two daughters wanted heirs so they made a decision of incest that would impact the future history of Israel. This lesson from the Bible reveals how the daughters of Lot make a hasty decision.
We’ll look at the consequences of their actions today in Genesis. As we can see, Lot’s daughters’ actions had lasting consequences, showing the importance of making wise decisions.
The Decision of Lot’s Daughters
Lot went up from Zoar, and stayed in the mountains, and his two daughters with him; for he was afraid to stay in Zoar; and he stayed in a cave, he and his two daughters.
Then the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of the earth.
Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him that we may preserve our family through our father.”
So they made their father drink wine that night, and the firstborn went in and lay with her father; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.
On the following day, the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine tonight also; then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve our family through our father.”
So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger arose and lay with him; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose.
Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.
The firstborn bore a son, and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day.
As for the younger, she also bore a son, and called his name Ben-ammi; he is the father of the sons of Ammon to this day. – Genesis 19:30-38 NASB
Were Lot’s Daughters Wrong to Sleep with Their Father?
Of course they were wrong, even if they were from Sodom and raised in a world of sin and corruption.
One point to remember about studying the Bible is that, in many cases, it just states the facts. Scripture gives us the good and the bad. People like David, Samson and Moses were all sinners who sometimes did terrible things. But God used them in a mighty way for His purpose.
These verses in Genesis record the events without judgment but the Bible clearly states in other books (Deuteronomy, Corinthians, Ezekiel) that incest is clearly wrong.
And, in modern times, we know that it also has negative genetic consequences for the offspring.
The Consequences of Incest
As a result of Lot’s daughters becoming pregnant by him, they delivered what would become two of the greatest adversaries of Israel, the Ammorites and Moabites.
The Bible doesn’t clearly state that the enemy factor was a punishment for the daughters’ sin but there are always benefits or consequences for actions — good or bad.
Our Choices
The lesson for us is to think about the long term effects of decisions we make. Three ways to helps us make good choices are to:
- Decide whether or not the outcome will be positive or negative.
- Pray.
- Then, decide which course to take.
If we ask God to direct our decisions they will be in tune with His will. God knows the future – we don’t. With faith and reliance on God, we can make decisions that will lead to a more positive outcome.
The women in this story made a hasty decision without consulting God. And in just two nights, created a seemingly never-ending situation for a nation. The Bible is a book about God’s dealings with his people in the past, the present, and the future. We should learn from the example of Lot’s daughters and strive to make better decisions in our own lives.
Love in Christ
– Bob
If you would like to learn how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to read John 3:16 for more information.