294-136
On April 2, the following day, a subsequent reading was given to interpret the above references. Although the dream related to a past life experience, it was attempting to communicate a message about the present. Edgar Cayce felt the dream pertained to the apparent necessity of leaving Virginia Beach, the place where previous readings had indicated he should settle.
After financial support was withdrawn from the Cayce Hospital and it closed at the onset of the Depression, Cayce faced a severe dilemma. Three homes into which he had moved were sold, necessitating further moves. Then he was unable to find a place to live.
In that as given of Lot, there was the choice by Lot as to whether this experience would be among the peoples in the city or those of the plains, or of those of the hills. The life was chosen rather among those, and companionship of these, of the city, which—in common parlance—“turned out bad!”
In the correlating with the life of Edgar Cayce, Virginia Beach was chosen rather by those sources through whom the information comes; and while the experience is as the attempt on the part of individuals and a group to make same so unpleasant as to cause much the same attitude as was forced to and through the life of Lot—but Lot’s experience was besought by a just man—Lot sought little for himself, save as to the gratifying of that as had been builded about same. So, as correlating the experience, then, of the leader or director at the time, and the experience as is in action of the physical manifestation of the body, rely rather upon those sources or channels through which such information and direction has come.
Believest thou that thou has contacted, do contact, those sources from which good may come to self or to others? Then act in that way and manner, irrespective of the attitude or actions of others.
294-137
This reading expresses some of the pressures and problems confronting Edgar Cayce, but also gives us a rare view of the nature and character of Lot. It is noted Lot sought little for himself, except gratification. Understanding this self-indulgent strain in an otherwise godly man gives us the basis for a possible interpretation of his daughters’ incestuous actions (Genesis 19:31-35). If he didn’t have it within him, they could not have seduced him.
“After his escape from Sodom, Lot refused to go with the angel to the mountaintop,” Edgar Cayce commented and observed. “The mountaintop represents the place where man communes with God—or, where self must be met and seen in light of the Divine. Evidently Lot was not prepared to do this. He had been saved because of the prayers of Abraham, but even Abraham’s prayers could not keep Lot from having to meet himself.” Lot chose rather to go to “a little city” (Genesis 19:20), perhaps to commit his same follies, but in a “smaller” way.
Evidently Lot’s wife shared the same weakness as her husband, as this reading indicates:
As the trust, the hope, the faith is manifested by the patience day by day, does there become the more awareness in self’s own inner consciousness that all is well with Him; knowing that if the Lord is on thy side, who may be against you? Trust, and do that thou knowest to do, acting as the Spirit moves within—and look not back; remember Lot’s wife.
262-25
(Q) In the reading of August 7, please explain what is meant by “Look not back; remember Lot’s wife.”
(A) Looking to the front ever, for as one looks towards the light, the shadows fall behind and do not become stumbling blocks to individual development. Thoughts are things, and while the past that is passed may be used as stepping-stones to higher things, looking back causes one to stumble, even as Lot’s wife looked upon that left as longing for those satisfying elements that made for the carnal, rather than the spiritual life.
262-28
Abraham and the Power of Prayer
Edgar Cayce often referred to Abraham’s intercession for Lot and the other citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah as demonstration of the power and potential of prayer. (Genesis 18:17-33)
As has been given, however, that which has prevented and does prevent the whole of civilization becoming a turmoil is the attempt of those who have the ideals of the Prince of Peace at heart! And as of old, the prayers of ten may save a city; the prayers of twenty-five may save a nation—as the prayers and activities of one may! But in union there is strength!
Then if that purpose would be kept, it must ever be kept in mind that we are our brother’s keeper.
1598-2
. . . where there were ten, even, many a city, many a nation has been kept from destruction.
3976-8
The prayers of the righteous shall save many. “Where two or three are joined together in one purpose, I am in the midst of same.” The combination, then, of both—for the supplication is putting self in that attunement to the forces as manifest in the growth, the development, of spiritual forces as are manifested in the material world.
136-45
Why then the turmoil in the world today? They have forgotten God! Not that it is merely a karmic condition of a nation of a people; for know ye not that the prayer of one man saved a city? Think thou that the arm of God is shorter today than in the days of yore?
3976-25
. . . even as Abram or Abraham—”If there be fifty, will it not be spared?” “O, if there be ten faithful, will it not be spared?” Then the hope of Europe depends upon you in your own home today! In not the same way, but the same manner as did the life of Lot, or of the other peoples in Sodom and Gomorrah. [World Affairs Reading, January 15, 1932]
3976-8
Though we may look upon, or feel that that which was given to Abram—as he viewed the cities of the plain and pleaded for the saving of same—was an allegorical story, or a beautiful tale to be told children—that it might bring fear into the hearts of those that would have their own way—may it not come into the hearts of those now, today, wilt thou, thine self, make of thine own heart an understanding that thou must answer for thine own brother, for thine own neighbor! And who is thine neighbor? He that lives next door, or he that lives on the other side of the world? He, rather, that is in need of understanding! He who has faltered; he who has fallen even by the way. He is thine neighbor, and thou must answer for him!
3976-8
Abraham and Isaac: The Sacrifice
This lesson is taken from the Bible class notes:
“What is meant by God ‘tempting’ Abraham? In James 1:13 we are told, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither he tempteth any man. We understand from 1 Corinthians 10:13 that God does not allow us to be tempted beyond our abilities, but with every temptation prepares a way of escape.
“The temptation, then, is not from God, but a result of a cause and effect law which has been set in motion. Our