Read: Genesis 19:1-29 NLT – Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed – That – Bible Gateway
“Abraham got up early that morning and hurried out to the place where he had stood in the LORD’s presence. He looked out across the plain toward Sodom and Gomorrah and watched as columns of smoke rose from the cities like smoke from a furnace. But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.” Genesis 19:27-29 NLT
Last week in our ‘Story of Abraham,’ Abraham was told of the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham knew his nephew Lot and his family were living in Sodom and he petitioned the Lord to save the city if He found any righteous people living within its boundaries. Abraham started at fifty and stopped asking the Lord to spare the city if He found ten righteous people. The Lord said He would spare the city of Sodom if ten were found, but there were only four. Lot, his wife, and two daughters escaped the destruction of Sodom. God answered Abraham’s prayer for Lot’s safety.
Genesis chapter 19 is vivid description of mankind living under the evil influence of sin at its worst. It is an example of the consequences of those sins as a Holy and Righteous God pronounces His judgement on unrepented sinners. A sad commentary is also included in this chapter of failing to influence those around you to the righteous things of God. It serves as a warning for our day and age of the influence society has on us when we compromise our beliefs and are accepting of sin by remaining silent.
The two angels who visited Abraham with the Lord have now arrived in Sodom. Lot was sitting in the gate as an official of the city. He had moved up in the ranks of influence and now oversees in judicial matters as part of the city council. Lot stood up to welcome them and invited them as was customary into his home for the evening. ‘“My lords,’ he said, ‘come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again.”’ (Gen.19:2 nlt) But the angels said no thank you, we will spend the night in the town square. Lot knew that would be extremely dangerous for them and insisted they spend the night under his roof.
Lot prepared a meal for them and they ate, “But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. They shouted to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!’” (Gen.19:4-5 nlt) The total depravity of this city is seen by ‘all the men’ were there. The young and the old came from every corner of the city to fulfilled their lust. Lot tried to persuade them not to commit these horrible acts but to no avail. Here is where we see the effects of compromising and remaining silent.
Lot does a horrible thing. To save face and honor the obligation to protect those you have as a guest in your home Lot says to the men, “Look, I have two virgin daughters. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do with them as you wish. But please, leave these men alone, for they are my guests and are under my protection.” (Gen.19:8 nlt) Lot’s action is totally unjustified. An insight for us to consider today is how far compromising with the world, enjoying power, money, and influence will corrupt our minds and thinking. Lot had bought into what was accepted by the culture. The crazed men lunged at Lot but the two angels were able to pull him safely back into the house and then struck the men with blindness or mental confusion.
The angels now state their purpose for being in the city. Lot did not recognize them as angels but as travelers stopping for the night. “The angels questioned Lot. ‘Do you have any other relatives here in the city?’ they asked. ‘Get them out of this place—your sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else. For we are about to destroy this city completely.’” (Gen.19:12-13 nlt) Lot tried to convince his daughters’ fiancés but they didn’t believe him. Lot had lost his moral influence.
The following morning at dawn the angels were insisting Lot and his family hurry. But “When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the LORD was merciful.” (Gen.19:16 nlt) The love of possessions (Lot was a rich man) and life in a big city with power and influence almost cost Lot and his family their lives. But God is a merciful God.
The angels told them to run up into the mountains to escape, but Lot didn’t think he could adapt to mountain living and asked if he could escape to the small town Zoar which was nearby. He was granted permission and once they got there the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah began. “Then the LORD rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation.” (Gen.19:24-25 nlt) God’s judgment is swift, precise, and justified.
There is a final warning here in not looking back, especially if the Lord has rescued us from some disaster created by our own sinful desires. A desire to return to what you have just been released from will result in something far worse. “But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.” (Gen.19:26 nlt) Looking back to what once was caused the blowing salt from the devastating destruction to surround her encasing her permanently. It was disobedience to the warning of not looking back. So, may we not look back.
God answered Abraham’s prayer and saved Lot for He is a merciful God. How tragic it is only three people may it to safety. It could have been four. If God today were to judge your city how many righteous would He find there due to your influence. Something for all of us to think about.
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