My son and I have been studying Genesis. We're up to chapter 19, the destruction of Sodom. Throughout this study, we've been emphasizing the antithesis between the covenant family's focus on eternal life/heaven and the ungodly family's focus on the temporary/this world. This came to a major climax in the Flood and again here in the destruction of the wicked cities.

But there's another important lesson I hope my son will learn in the person of Lot.

Lot had a surplus of fortitude. Webster defined fortitude as

That strength or firmness of mind or soul which enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage, or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression or despondency. Fortitude is the basis or source of genuine courage or intrepidity in danger, of patience in suffering, of forbearance under injuries, and of magnanimity in all conditions of life. We sometimes confound the effect with the cause, and use fortitude as synonymous with courage or patience; but courage is an active virtue or vice, and patience is the effect of fortitude.

Fortitude is the guard and support of the other virtues.

When Lot brought his angelic guests into his house, the rule of hospitality directed him to put their own safety above his own. When the wicked men of the city demanded his guests, "Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him." He placed himself between his guests and the danger. We must be faithful to our duties. Here Lot showed uncommon fortitude.

However, he told the men, "Behold now, I have two daughters." What Lot possessed in fortitude, he lacked in prudence. Again, Webster defined prudence as

Prudence implies caution in deliberating and consulting on the most suitable means to accomplish valuable purposes, and the exercise of sagacity in discerning and selecting them. Prudence differs from wisdom in this, that prudence implies more caution and reserve than wisdom, or is exercised more in foreseeing and avoiding evil, than in devising and executing that which is good. It is sometimes mere caution or circumspection.

Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, season and method of doing or not doing.

Lot showed no hesitation in prostituting his daughters to these ungodly men - and I use that last term loosely. Lot was right to seek a way to protect his guests. He acted quickly, but he did not act prudently.

This is the lesson I want for myself and my son. Calvin's words on the example of Lot give us a vision for what we should pray for ourselves and our children:

But we are warned by this example, that when the Lord has furnished us with the spirit of invincible fortitude, we must also pray that he may govern us by the spirit of prudence; and that he will never suffer us to be deprived of a sound judgment, and a well-regulated reason. For then only shall we rightly proceed in our course of duty, when, in complicated affairs, we perceive, with a composed mind, what is necessary, what is lawful, and what is expedient to be done; then shall we be prepared promptly to meet any danger whatever.