INTRODUCTION: Genesis 19 concludes for us the sad story of Lot. In Lot's life we see how much a child of God can lose by wrong decisions and entanglement with the world. Lot married a worldly-minded woman and lived in a wicked city for mere carnal reasons. He ended up losing his family, his testimony, and no doubt any reward in Heaven. While Lot's example stands as a warning, yet it must be remembered that he was a righteous man. This makes him all the more a beacon of caution to saints. Even those who know Christ can make harmful mistakes if they fail to watch and pray. Lot's spiritual relationship with God is proved by the following:A. God's word declares him to have been a just man [II Peter 2:6-9].
B. His soul was vexed and unhappy in the midst of evil [II Peter 2:6-9].
C. God ultimately chastened and delivered Lot from his situation of temptation [II Peter 2:6-9].
D. Lot was willing and desirous of entertaining and protecting those whom he thought to be righteous men.
E. Lot rebuked the wicked [Genesis 19:7].
F. Lot believed the warning of God and attempted to warn his family [Genesis 19:14].
G. Lot, unlike his wife, hastened to escape once out of Sodom.
H. Lot prayed to God [Genesis 19:18-19].
I. THE GATE OF SODOM - verses 1-3.
The same day, described in Genesis 18, two angels came at evening to Sodom. These are the same two mentioned in Genesis 18:22, who headed off to Sodom. As in Genesis 18 they were taken to be ordinary men. In ancient cities the gate was the place of business and government. The fact that Lot sat in the gate seems to indicate that he was some type of official in Sodom. This seems to be insinuated in verse 9.Lot's real reason for being at the gate that evening seems to have been watching for travelers. Perhaps he feared that decent or godly people passing through would be abused, not knowing the character of the city. Seeing the angels, which he took at this point to be ordinary men, he begged them to lodge with him. This hospitable and concerned spirit spoke well of Lot.
II. SODOMITES - verses 4-5.
The vile sin of sodomy received its name from the actions of these men. The word "know" in verse 5 is a euphemism for a homosexual act. Verse 4 makes it clear that the city was saturated with this lifestyle. In Romans 1:24-28, Paul gives us the origin of this sin. As men turn from God the restraints of common grace are removed. As societies progress in evil this sin comes out of the closet. Now America, like Sodom, openly declares its love of this sin [Isaiah 3:9]. The words of Ezekiel 16:49-50 seem to increasingly describe our nation.III. THE PROTECTOR PROTECTED - verses 6-11.
Lot had a great sense of responsibility for his guests and did all he could to stop the evil designs of the men of Sodom. At this period in history men felt a sacred responsibility to protect those who broke bread under their roof. Lot's offer of his two daughters is shocking and disgusting. It does show the attitude toward women at this time. Lot's attempt to help failed. The mob became angry and finally determined to abuse Lot. There is no doubt he began to wonder why he had come to such a place. Only the supernatural power of the angels saved Lot. The blindness of the mob seems to have included a confusion of mind. Here Lot must have recognized the supernatural nature of his visitors.IV. A WARNING - verses 12-14.
God had investigated Sodom and found it truly ripe for judgment [Genesis 18:20-21]. When sexual perversion and violence become open and widespread judgment is near. Lot was warned to remove all of his family from Sodom. His older daughters had married men of Sodom and were also living in the city. His warning was not taken seriously. It seems that Lot's sons-in-law had no respect for his testimony. The supernatural did not seem real to Lot's family.V. LOT DELIVERED - verses 15-16.
Truly the Lord does know how to deliver the righteous [II Peter 2:6-9]. God would not destroy the righteous with the wicked.VI. GOD'S PATIENCE WITH LOT - verses 17-22.
We are amazed at the dullness of Lot. Still thinking of physical comfort, he wished to go to a small city rather than the mountain. Did he ever stop to consider that God knew best? It seems he would have had enough of cities. The patience of God really stands out here. The Lord agreed to Lot's request and spared the small city for his sake. Perhaps we should reflect more upon God's patience toward us.VII. JUDGMENT - verses 23-25.
The judgment of these cities stands as a type of God's final judgment on the wicked [Jude 7]. Even today this area is a hot, miserable place covered with tar pits. The remains of Sodom and Gomorrah seem to be covered by the shallow end of the Dead Sea. The whole area seems cursed by God. Let it be remembered that these cities have a future appointment with God [Matthew 11:24]. No judgment in this life can compare to the final judgment.VIII. LOT'S WIFE - verse 26.
The heart of Lot's wife never left Sodom. In lingering she was overcome in the judgment and encrusted with salt and minerals. She stands as a warning to those who flee sin and seek Christ half-heartedly [Luke 17:32]. The truly convicted flee to Christ [Hebrews 6:18].IX. THE INTERCESSOR - verses 27-29.
What a contrast! Lot fleeing from the overthrow, having lost all, while Abraham looks on from his place of fellowship with God. The clear advantage of being spiritually-minded is illustrated here. The saint only loses from entanglement with the world. In these Scriptures we also see the power of intercessory prayer. Verse 29 states that Lot's deliverance was connected to God's relationship with Abraham.X. LOT'S DISGRACE - verses 30-38.
Oh the terrible waste and harm of sin. Lot's life became one disaster after another. Christians cannot lose their soul but they can certainly waste their lives and lose their family. Lot's daughters had many excuses for their sinful plot. They had no prospect of a husband. Children were a necessary protector in old age. Without children the family name would be lost. Their sin really proceeded, however, from a lack of faith in God's ability to provide and from an absence of moral standards. The children of this incest were the ancestors of two nations (Moabites and Ammonites) that were habitual problems for Israel.There are many lessons in all of this:
A. The life not lived according to God's direction is a downhill slide.B. If we raise our children in and like the world, let us not be surprised if they learn the world's ways.
C. Drunkenness is a great sin that opens the door to greater sins.
D. The fruit of a worldly Christian's life often produces trials for those who are trying to obey God. Compromise leaves many "Moabites and Ammonites" around to hinder those who in the future will serve God.
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