THE SINS OF A CAVEMAN
by Allen Webster (edited for space)

Caveman? In the Bible? Yes! But not the grunting, stick-carrying, half-ape neanderthal pictured by the pseudo-scientists of evolution.

Lot is the first in human history found dwelling in a cave. "And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in mountains, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his daughters" (Gen. 19:30). It was there that the despicable first case of incest was committed (cf. Gen. 19:31-38). From a "caveman’s" sins we learn valuable lessons:

Lot let the world take his children (19:31-32). Lot had before made poor decisions which now bear rotten fruit in his children’’s lives. Selfishly, he "pitched his tent toward Sodom" (13:12) even though "the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly" (13:13). He next moved into Sodom (14:12), and finally became one of Sodom’’s leading men (19:1).

He put his family in harm’s way. For more than twelve years (14:12) he subjected his impressionable children to an environment of utter wickedness (19:4-5). They grew up in Sodom and at least two of them married Sodomites (19:14). When angels came to save him, he could not persuade his sons, sons-in-law and married daughters to leave the God-forsaken city (19:12-14). His wife longingly looked back and turned to salt (19:26). Two daughters made it out of Sodom, but Sodom never made it out of them (19:31-33).

How many, like Lot, will hear children’s cries from the fire (Gen. 19:24; Matt. 25:30), because they "pitched their tents toward Sodom" by loving this world’s things more than God’s treasures (I John 2:15-17; Matt. 6:33; Col. 3:1-2)? No amount of money is worth moving children into Sodom!

Lot set a bad example. When homosexuals threatened to take his guests, Lot offered them his two virgin daughters (19:9). What a sickening example! How could they have a proper sense of morality with a father who cared so little for their purity (cf. Matt. 5:8)?

How many parents today shudder at this, but are guilty of much the same by letting their daughters go out with immoral boys, and sons date loose girls? How many send children to dances and let them stay out half the night on dates? Parents need to wake up to the fact that we live in an immoral age. Christian teenagers are not above temptation! Further, far too many parents are sexually impure themselves and/or are unscripturally divorced and remarried. How can children growing up with such role models develop morals (Matt. 19:9; I Thess. 4:3-5)?

Lot failed to train his children. Children growing up in Sodom need a lot of nurture and admonition (Eph. 6:4). Lot had been too much concerned with flocks, herds, and well-watered plains and too little concerned with family, home, and well-disciplined children (cf. Gen. 13:5, 10). . . .

Parents, learn the caveman’s lesson -- Don’t let the world get your kids!

Lot let wine take his mind (Gen. 19:33, 35). These evil-intentioned girls knew Lot would not commit sexual sin with them in his right mind, so they got him drunk. We wonder, where did they get the wine? Had Lot counted it among "his valuables" when leaving Sodom? Why have it accessible? Since no God-fearing man touches such (Prov. 23:31; Eph. 5:18), why did Lot drink? Much evil is learned in Sodom.

How foolish! "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise" (Prov. 20:1). Many homes today are destroyed by the bottle and most sexual sins are committed under its influence. This is because good judgement goes from the brain when alcohol goes in the belly (Prov. 23:35).
The caveman says, "don’t let the bottle take your mind!"

Lot let his family take his righteousness. These were not strangers who caused Lot’’s immorality, they were flesh and blood. His own family led him to sin. How many today, too, let families influence them for evil? Many would be Christians, but their families object (cf. Luke 14:26). They would worship regularly but their families balk (cf. Heb. 10:25). They would quit a certain sin, but their families enjoy it (cf. Luke 13:3).
Learn the caveman’s lesson, "don’t let your family lead you down the wide road."

. . . The New Testament shows there is hope for one who had made such mistakes. To his credit, he never became indifferent to the wickedness of Sodom, for the New Testament says his righteous soul was "vexed" (tortured) day by day (II Peter 2:7-8). Evidently he repented of his mistakes and received forgiveness, just as many other Old Testament characters. Sadly, the same cannot be said of his family.

Yes, there was a caveman. And, despite the advances of technology, modern civilization is not so far removed from "the caveman" as we thought.

Family Bulletin Board

Remember those who have chronic illnesses: Delsie Bishop, Reva Brewer, Ella Brumitt, Eloise Deaton, Jamie Farmer, Francis Ferren, Elizabeth Fowler, Savannah Green, Lola Mae Hamlett,Louise Hunt, and Edith Lechenet

Rusty and Laura are in Crown Point, Indiana this morning, in a gospel meeting at the congregation where Jeff Collett is the minister. Rusty will be back to preach tonight.

Next Sunday Rusty and Laura will be in Steubenville, OH for the Unity in Truth Lectureship.

‘SOUPER’ SING - October 4th, at 6:00pm, at the Stan Morgan home. They are providing home-made soups and ask us only to bring the beverages and home-made desserts. Please sign up in the foyer.

Ken Gathing came forward last Sunday, confessing sin and placing membership with this congregation. We welcome Ken and his 3 daughters.