Coachlight Bible Study – Genesis Lesson 31

Genesis Chapter 19 - The Catastrophe At Sodom

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. {affection: or, mind}

Lot and his family gradually had moved to Sodom. Because of his mind set, this righteous man was drawn to Sodom much like a moth is drawn to a light bulb. We read that first Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom (Genesis 13:12), then he dwelt in Sodom (Genesis 14:12), and then finily we read of Lot sitting in the gate of Sodom (Genesis 19:1).

The story of Lot’s life paints a sad picture, and is an example for us not to follow. We have read of Lot participating in one of the highest callings of God and had experienced a great deliverance by God through Abraham. It is a sad story to see a righteous man feel right at home in one of the wickedest cities on earth.

Many people today are much the same as Lot was in Abraham’s time. They think they have the best of both worlds. They believe they have the eternal by knowing God as their Savior, and the temporal because of worldly influence and possessions. The wickedness of the world may vex his soul at times, but he does not quite fully enter in to all the activity of the wicked. But, just like with Lot, the day of reckoning is coming.

Lot’s preservation was an act of God and directly linked with Abraham’s intercession. Abraham was instrumental in the saving of Lot twice, once by the sword (Genesis chapter 15) and once by supplication (Genesis chapter 19).

I. Improper Mind-set In The Believer - The Story Of Lot - (Genesis 19) – Started well, but closed his life in failure and disaster. Lot came out of Mesopotamia with his uncle and continued with him in Canaan until their riches made them separate. Lot then pitched his tent toward Sodom and soon made his abode there. As a consequence, he was involved in its captivity by the kings of the east. Even his rescue by Abraham did not serve to warn him of the place because he returned.

A. The Place Of The Angels – (vs. 1-3) – While God remained with Abraham, the two angels journeyed to Sodom.

B. They meet Lot at the gate – Lot probably held an official office in Sodom.

C. Lot treated them with courtesy and offered them hospitality.

D. Angels declined at first, but finally gave into Lot’s persistent urgings.

“Abide in the street all night.”

They yielded and accepted Lot’s hospitality.

II. The Wickedness Of The City – Lot knew the sin of his city. God has never tolerated the sin of homosexuality.

A. Lot wanted to deliver his visitors from the proposed wickedness.

B. His defense was worthless – The people had not been influenced by him not to do evil.

C. Pleading with his sons-in-law – Lot had not only lost his influence with the city, but also with his family.

D. Warnings – story of Lot is full of warnings:

1. First he chose selfishly.

2. Then he pitched his tent toward Sodom.

3. Then he entered in.

4. Finally he occupied a position of chief responsibility.

E. The man who had his affections set on the things of this earth was:

1. hated of Sodom,

2. Lost his personal peace.

3. His testimony was paralyzed.

4. He was an example to the city or his sons-in-law toward righteousness.

III. How does Wickedness Like This Begin?

A. First by not recognizing God as Creator

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Romans 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. {in them: or, to them}

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: {so…: or, that they may be}

Romans 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Romans 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

B. Then God Gives Them Up To Uncleanness

Romans 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. {more: or, rather}

Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

Romans 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Romans 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; {to retain: or, to acknowledge} {a reprobate…: or, a mind void of judgment or, an unapproving mind}

Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

Romans 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: {without natural…: or unsociable}

Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. {have…: or, consent with}

IV. The Escape Of Lot – Compromise is always disastrous in the life of faith.

A. The Pull Of The World – with judgment in sight, he lingered.

1. Only saved as the angel practically forced him out.

2. He made selfish arrangements for the future, pleading to go to Zoar. It was permitted.

B. Righteous Lot – The New testament describes him as “just Lot.” His deepest desire was right, but his failure was due to compromise.

V. Divine Judgment – Due to compromise

A. Judgment did not fall until the cup of iniquity was full.

B. Opportunity for the manifestation of their guilt was given in the visit of the angels.

C. The Sodomites’ attitude toward these visitors caused the flames to come.

D. Another evil result of Lot’s mindset on “the world,” is what happened to his wife.

VI. The Secret Of Lot’s Escape – Can you picture Abraham in the morning? He had interceded for Sodom, and now stood in the place he had met God. From that position of safety, and yet of pity, he saw the smoke. The deliverance of Lot did not come from Lot’s lifestyle, but from Abraham’s intercession.

Genesis 19:29 “And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.”

VII. Sodom Was A Catastrophy – Noah’s Flood Was A Cataclism

A. When Peter talks about the overthrow of Sodom he uses the Greek word Katastrophe – II Peter 2:6

B. When talking about Noah’s flood, however, Peter uses the Greek word Kataklosmos – II Peter 2:5

VIII. A Sad Story – The final effects of the failure of Lot.

A. Lot’s daughters, no doubt from living in the environment of Sodom were utterly immoral, and guilty of incest.

B. Lot’s Legacy - In the passing centuries, - continually trouble to Lot’s people because of the hostility of Moab and Ammo.

Differences Between Believers - Except for II Peter 2:7-8, we would hardly credit Lot with any righteousness at all.

Lot - Type of the Short-Sided Believer – His Affections Set On The Things of This World	Abram - Type of the Believer With His Affections On Things Above
Endeavoring to stand well with God, and at the same time pushing to the limit his own earthly interests - letting part of his life necessarily suffer	Ability To Discern God’s Will
Although 'righteous' he is yet living by sight. - seeking his own advantage.	Living by faith with full acceptance of God's promises
Worldliness is his dominant characteristic - seeking pleasure	Whole-hearted obedience to God's will.
No Testimony either to his family, friends, or to others.	Courageous testimony in the altar of worship
Prayer to be able to go to Zoar was presumptuous	Intercessory prayer was always reverent
Results Each Obtained
Lot	Abraham
Obtained earthly prosperity for a time, but it can be questioned whether he ever was happy for making that choice.	God became an increasing reality to him.
No Testimony, no blessing on his house.	A glory and power in his life, and it is a known fact that he never regretted putting God first - ever.
In the end came spiritual and social disaster	Obtained God's divine favor and blessing

We must remember God's admonition in the book of I Corinthians:

 I Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

I Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.