Why Lot Was Spared from Sodom for Abraham's Sake

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 19:16

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And the men seized his hand" (Genesis 19:16). They said to him: It is enough for you that you yourself are saved. Therefore they said: In the condemned city, the wealth of the righteous who are within it is lost. "the LORD being merciful unto him" (Genesis 19:16). Because the Holy One, blessed be He, had compassion upon Lot for the sake of Abraham; for when Abraham went down to Egypt, Lot did not reveal Abraham's secret — that he had said, "She is my sister." Therefore the Holy One, blessed be He, had compassion upon him and saved him. Concerning Abraham, washing is mentioned before lodging, and concerning Lot, lodging is mentioned before washing. Abraham, who was scrupulous about the filth of idolatry, placed washing before lodging; Lot, who was not scrupulous about the filth of idolatry, placed lodging before washing.

Themes

Divine MercyMerit Of The RighteousSodom And GomorrahIdolatryAbraham And Lot

Biblical References

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