Reading: Genesis 19

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and surrounding places is mentioned in the Bible at least 15 times as a very serious warning against sin. God wants to ensure we understand the seriousness of the people’s corruption in Sodom and Gomorrah. Therefore God gives us more details in Genesis 19. Through the way the men of the city wanted to treat the visiting angels, we see their total depravity.

 

2 Peter 2:7-8 adds that righteous Lot “was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds).”

 

Lot had lived in this city for some time, and he was righteous. This indicates he was a living testimony to what is right, thereby condemning the filthy conduct of the wicked. Lot was a prophet calling for repentance (for example, vs 6). By this we also see that God’s judgment over the cities is perfectly just. The place where these cities once thrived is now covered by the Dead Sea. It is a permanent reminder that sin leads to death, and a symbol of the final judgment yet to come at the end of history.

 

Key text: Genesis 19:17 and 26 “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you … But his wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.”

 

Question: Lot and his family had to leave everything behind to escape from God’s judgment. It was not easy for them: his daughters left their husbands behind; Lot hesitated (vs 16) and Lot’s wife simply could not let go. It is difficult to break with sinful habits. Yet God rescued Lot and his daughters. As a believer what things must you leave behind in order to serve God faithfully? How do you do it?