Genesis 19
Genesis 19
Yesterday God told Abraham, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” And yet, as we read Genesis 19 today, Abraham’s compassion was unfounded.
As the two angels approached Sodom in judgment, Lot somehow recognized them and their purpose, taking them into his home. Quickly, all those in the city “to the last man, surrounded the house.” According to God’s promise to Abraham, if even 10 refrained, maybe the city could have been saved. Instead, their wickedness sealed their destruction.
Verse 29 gives an interesting insight—God did not spare Lot and his family for his own sake, but for the sake of Abraham. It wasn’t that Lot deserved salvation, but because of God’s loyal love toward Abraham, Lot was a beneficiary.
There are several takeaways from today’s passage. First, the price of sin is destruction. Like Abraham, we must settle ourselves with the uncomfortable truth that God will judge sin. His judgment is just.
Second, Lot’s wife is a tragic example of disobedience. Although everyone was told not to look back, she did. Perhaps her heart was broken that her home was being destroyed. Whatever the reason, she disobeyed. Judgment for her disobedience came swiftly. Whether judgment comes slow or fast, disobedience always has a price tag.
Finally, the story of Lot’s daughters provides a disturbing reminder that sin has not been fully conquered. Our hearts burn at injustice, and many times we want God to fix the pain and heartache of this world. The wickedness of Sodom led to its destruction, but that punishment did not cure the world of sin. Lot’s daughters did a terrible and wicked thing. Lot’s ignorance, and drunkenness is inexcusable, but his daughters’ actions were terrible on multiple levels. First, it's clear that they didn’t see their situation as having been saved from destruction. Maybe they thought all civilization was destroyed, and they were prepared to repopulate, which was wrong. Second, they knew the wickedness of their plan as they had to get their dad hammered to go along with it. Third, their actions show a complete disregard for the Lord who just spared them from death. By taking matters into their own hands, they show us they didn’t trust the Lord to save them or their offspring. And finally, from this incestual scene, came two of Israel’s most troublesome neighbors—Moab and Ammon.
While it’s easy to sit in judgment over the foolishness of a Lot and his family, we must consider the ways our world is like Sodom. The sexual sin of Sodom wasn’t her only crime. Ezekiel 16:49–50 gives more insight, “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.” Does that sound a little familiar?
Although God will deliver temporary justice here and there, final judgment is coming. Like the angels who destroyed Sodom, Revelation 19 gives an awesome and terrible glimpse at the judgment to befall the wicked. Be careful, lest our love of this world cause us to “look back” on that great and terrible day.
By: Tyler Short
Yesterday God told Abraham, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” And yet, as we read Genesis 19 today, Abraham’s compassion was unfounded.
As the two angels approached Sodom in judgment, Lot somehow recognized them and their purpose, taking them into his home. Quickly, all those in the city “to the last man, surrounded the house.” According to God’s promise to Abraham, if even 10 refrained, maybe the city could have been saved. Instead, their wickedness sealed their destruction.
Verse 29 gives an interesting insight—God did not spare Lot and his family for his own sake, but for the sake of Abraham. It wasn’t that Lot deserved salvation, but because of God’s loyal love toward Abraham, Lot was a beneficiary.
There are several takeaways from today’s passage. First, the price of sin is destruction. Like Abraham, we must settle ourselves with the uncomfortable truth that God will judge sin. His judgment is just.
Second, Lot’s wife is a tragic example of disobedience. Although everyone was told not to look back, she did. Perhaps her heart was broken that her home was being destroyed. Whatever the reason, she disobeyed. Judgment for her disobedience came swiftly. Whether judgment comes slow or fast, disobedience always has a price tag.
Finally, the story of Lot’s daughters provides a disturbing reminder that sin has not been fully conquered. Our hearts burn at injustice, and many times we want God to fix the pain and heartache of this world. The wickedness of Sodom led to its destruction, but that punishment did not cure the world of sin. Lot’s daughters did a terrible and wicked thing. Lot’s ignorance, and drunkenness is inexcusable, but his daughters’ actions were terrible on multiple levels. First, it's clear that they didn’t see their situation as having been saved from destruction. Maybe they thought all civilization was destroyed, and they were prepared to repopulate, which was wrong. Second, they knew the wickedness of their plan as they had to get their dad hammered to go along with it. Third, their actions show a complete disregard for the Lord who just spared them from death. By taking matters into their own hands, they show us they didn’t trust the Lord to save them or their offspring. And finally, from this incestual scene, came two of Israel’s most troublesome neighbors—Moab and Ammon.
While it’s easy to sit in judgment over the foolishness of a Lot and his family, we must consider the ways our world is like Sodom. The sexual sin of Sodom wasn’t her only crime. Ezekiel 16:49–50 gives more insight, “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty and did an abomination before me. So I removed them, when I saw it.” Does that sound a little familiar?
Although God will deliver temporary justice here and there, final judgment is coming. Like the angels who destroyed Sodom, Revelation 19 gives an awesome and terrible glimpse at the judgment to befall the wicked. Be careful, lest our love of this world cause us to “look back” on that great and terrible day.
By: Tyler Short
1 Comment
Great analyst Tyler of this chapter. Thank God for His wonderful mercy and grace. We should never look back at the what ifs but always forward to the what can be with Christ in control of our lives.