God tests the faith of different characters throughout the Bible, specifically in The Old Testament.  Lessons framed by God, and the reactions ascribed are important in deciphering the lessons of the Bible.  The stories of Lot and of Abraham illuminates the message of God through their trying situations and faith driven actions.  Finding our testament characters in fire and brimstone situations, their faith in and relation to God is assessed.

In the story of Lot, God comes to Lot’s home in the form of two angels.  When the angels arrive in Sodom, some of the locals hear their conversation and come to investigate.  Lot quickly hides the angels in the house and meets with the locals at the door.  Upon their demand for the angels, Lot offers them his two virgin daughters.

“Behold I have two daughters who have not known man; let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please; only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof” (Genesis 19).

The angels come out from hiding and render the locals blind, leaving them harmless. Later on that evening the angels inform Lot that he and his family are to leave Sodom for God will soon destroy the city. In the morning Lot’s family does as God has said.

Thomas Cahill stated that Lot was “undoubtedly a good guy” in “The Gift of the Jews.” This quote describes him perfectly. From the beginning of the story, Lot has a very kind, sacrificial personality. Sacrificing his two daughters for the safety of the two Angels was a very bold thing for Lot to do. This says a lot about Lot’s faith towards God.

After Lot has been informed that Sodom is to be destroyed, Lot goes to his son-in-law. Lot says, “Up, get out of this place; for the Lord is about to destroy the city (Genesis 19.)” Upon hearing this, Lot’s son-in-law does not believe him. Comparing the faith of the characters, we find that Lot is much more trustworthy and faithful. Lot trusted two strange men, when Lot’s son-in-law would not even trust his father-in-law.

The story of Abraham is the most direct “test of faith” given by God. In chapter 22 of Genesis, God comes to Abraham and tells him to take his only son Isaac to a far of land where he is to offer him there as a burnt offering. “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains.” Abraham follows God’s instruction without hesitation. In Moriah, Abraham is ready to sacrifice his only son Isaac when an angle of the Lord called to him, “Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

This “test of faith” was a much less complicated and a more straightforward situation. The direct instructions from God were followed by the immediate actions of Abraham. The Bible describes his reactions as out of fear of God. However, his instantaneous reactions could also be due to his ultimate faith in God. Back then, men where much more valuable than women. So of course Abraham’s only son was his most prized possession. Whether out of fear, or faith, we know that Abraham was simply as faithful to God as you can get.

Both Lot and Abraham were willing to sacrifice their children. Lot was willing to sacrifice his two daughters, and Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son. Knowing that in that time, men were more “valuable,” then women, Abraham was making the bigger sacrifice. Although Lot’s sacrifice was smaller than Abraham’s, it does not lessen Lot’s level of faith towards God.

Both Lot and Abraham had great deals of trust in God. Trust in God is clearly the biggest part of faith. In other words, to have ultimate faith is to have ultimate trust. “Faith, for the men of the Old Testament, is the state of being ultimately and unconditionally concerned about Jahweh and what he represents in demand, threat and promise.” In this quote by Paul Tihhch from “The Dynamics of Faith,” explains this concept as being “unconditionally concerned” towards God. No questions asked, Abraham and his son prepared for they’re journey immediately after receiving instructions from God. Lot also complied with the instructions given to him. He was told to leave Sodom, the home of his family. Although a tough move for him to make, he blindly trusted God. Only by putting Abraham and Lot in these situations could he truly assess their inner faith.

God puts characters in these situations in several different ways. Throughout time, God’s methods have changed, almost evolutionarily. In the story of Abraham, God defiantly asks him to do the impossible. These directions were simple and straightforward. In the story of Lot, God did not ask Lot to do the impossible. He simply told him to leave his home. He could leave, or not.

The only genuine way God could assess the faith of these characters is by sticking them in extreme situations.  Both stories of Lot and Abraham greatly illustrate their willingness to sacrifice for and trust in God.  The profound actions of these biblical characters placed in faith-testing situations helps describe their experience with God.