Genesis 13: Not Such a Sweet Deal

Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD. -Gen. 13:10-13 NIV

If one were to look now at the plain that Lot chose when he and Abraham decided to part ways, the last thing that one would say is at it is well watered.  The whole of the plain is dwarfed by the Dead Sea.  Of course, this story as it takes place in Genesis was before the conflagration of Sodom and Gomorrah so one can only imagine what it looked like then.  It was certainly appealing to Lot, the kind of place that would supply all of the needs of his family, servants and flocks.  In the end though, Lot escaped by the skin of his teeth, losing his wife in the process.  The beautiful plain turned out to be one that was inhabitable.  How often do we find ourselves making the same choice as Lot, confusing what appears to be attractive for substance?  Most of the time, when we pursue anything that appears to be a sweet deal, we end up with a bitter,salty taste in our mouths.