05.024. Chapter 19

Genesis 19:1-38 The name of Sodom has become synonymous with the sin of homosexuality or sodomy. But sexual perversion was not the only cause of the city’s fall. In Ezekiel 18:49, 50, the Lord describes the sin of Sodom as “arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease” (NASB).

Lot received the two angels and insisted that they spend the night in his home, knowing too well the danger that would face them otherwise. Even then the men of Sodom sought to commit homosexual rape against these heavenly visitors. In a desperate effort to save his guests, Lot shamelessly offered his two daughters. Only a miracle saved the day; the angels smote the Sodomites with a temporary, confusing blindness (Genesis 19:1-11). The angels insisted that Lot and his family leave the city. But when he tried to persuade his sons-in-law (or perhaps prospective sons-in-law—see RSV), they thought he was mocking. His backslidden life nullified his testimony when the crisis came. In the morning the angels escorted Lot, his wife, and daughters out of Sodom. Even then Lot temporized, preferring to stay in Zoar, one of the satellite sin cities (Genesis 19:12-25). Not even 10 righteous men were found in the city of Sodom, so God destroyed it. But Abraham’s prayer was not unanswered, for “God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow” (Genesis 19:29).

Though Lot’s wife left the city, her heart was still in it, and she fell under the judgment of God (Genesis 19:26). In the words “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32), Christ held her up as a warning to all who trifle with His offer of salvation.

Leaving Zoar, Lot fled to a mountain cave. There his daughters made him drunk and enticed him to commit incest with them. The older daughter subsequently bore a son named Moab, and the younger a son, Ben-ammi. Thus began the Moabites and Ammonites, who became recurring thorns in Israel’s side.

We know from 2 Peter 2:7-8 that Lot was a just man, but because of his worldliness he lost his testimony (Genesis 19:14), his wife (Genesis 19:26), his communion (there was none in Sodom), his property (he went in rich but came out poor), his character (Genesis 19:35), and nearly his life (Genesis 19:22). The depraved behavior of his daughters shows that they had been influenced by Sodom’s vile standards (Genesis 19:30-38).