Weekly Study: Old Testament Lesson 08
1. In Genesis 13 we get an account of Abraham and Lot coming up at of Egypt and settling in and around Beth-el. The land could not sustain both of them so Abraham went to the right while Lot went to the left. Genesis 13:10-13 reads:
Questions:
- What do you think "pitched his tent toward Sodom" means?
- By Genesis 19, where is Lot living?
- What does this tell us about the effect of lot pitching his tent toward Sodom?
2. In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin called together his people so that he might address them. Mosiah 2: 5-7 reads:
Questions:
- What are different about these two events (beyond the emphasized phrases)?
- If we are to use these two events as analogies, what is the tent?
- How do we assess where our tent is facing?
- Can your tent only be pitched "toward Sodom" or the "temple"?
3. Lastly, remember that in Genesis 18 Abraham was sitting in the "tent door in the heat of the day." (verse 1) It was because of this that he was able to see and greet the three men traveling in the desert.
Questions:
- How can we position our "tents" to prepare ourselves for opportunities of service?
- How might we spiritually "sit in the door of our tent in the heat of the day"?
- How might that look in a practical sense?
- (How does the spiritual manifest in the physical/practical)
10 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.
11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly
Questions:
- What do you think "pitched his tent toward Sodom" means?
- By Genesis 19, where is Lot living?
- What does this tell us about the effect of lot pitching his tent toward Sodom?
2. In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin called together his people so that he might address them. Mosiah 2: 5-7 reads:
5 And it came to pass that when they came up to the temple, they pitched their tents round about, every man according to his family, consisting of his wife, and his sons, and his daughters, and their sons, and their daughters, from the eldest down to the youngest, every family being separate one from another.
6 And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple, that thereby they might remain in their tents and hear the words which king Benjamin should speak unto them;
7 For the multitude being so great that king Benjamin could not teach them all within the walls of the temple, therefore he caused a tower to be erected, that thereby his people might hear the words which he should speak unto them.
Questions:
- What are different about these two events (beyond the emphasized phrases)?
- If we are to use these two events as analogies, what is the tent?
- How do we assess where our tent is facing?
- Can your tent only be pitched "toward Sodom" or the "temple"?
3. Lastly, remember that in Genesis 18 Abraham was sitting in the "tent door in the heat of the day." (verse 1) It was because of this that he was able to see and greet the three men traveling in the desert.
Questions:
- How can we position our "tents" to prepare ourselves for opportunities of service?
- How might we spiritually "sit in the door of our tent in the heat of the day"?
- How might that look in a practical sense?
- (How does the spiritual manifest in the physical/practical)
I think pitching his tent toward Sodom was a way of saying he lived close enough to visit often. This in turn just means that he was attracted to it. He finally moved or got a summer home there to live while his many servants carried out his ranching business, which we know because he was living there later in the story. His wife may have encouraged him to go live there, as she ended up being the one having a hard time leaving it behind.
ReplyDeleteThe lesson learned is that we should not be tempted to spend time where we don't belong, or doing questionable things that are inherently wrong if we continue to do them. This may include gambling and going to Vegas often. We can now gamble in Maryland so be careful!! It is ironic now that the temple and gambling casinos are in the same state here. We are becoming like Nevada.
In the Book of Mormon, they pitched their tents toward the temple so they could hear and see King Benjamin. This was a reminder of the importance of the temple, as they could probably see it behind him. They should have conference in front of the temple for the same effect today. Our "tent" signifies where our attentions lie, where put our "home", on which side of the fence. We can't be lukewarm on top of the fence.
Once our tents are in the right place, then we need to open the door and wait for others to come in who need help. Can't leave it closed, which would symbolize isolation and a little selfishness. With our window shades open and door open we can see those in need and help them.