LOTS HOSPITALITY
19 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; 2 and he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. 3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
vs 19 Two of the angels that visited Abraham come to Sodom to judge for themselves if the city deserves to be destroyed. Lot has moved to the city, and has become an official of the city. Lot recognizes that these strangers are special, and bows with his face to the ground' however hospitality to any stranger in this culture grants them special status.
vs 2 Lot knows the people of Sodom. Remember that his uncle, with divine power, delivered the cities of the plain. They are still free because Lot had been taken captive by the Shemites. The city has given itself over to evil, and is repeating the self destructive ways prior to the flood. Lot implores the angels through hospitality to come in for the night.
vs 3 The angels accept his hospitality. Notice the similarity to Abrahams actions in the previous chapter. Also note the differences in the lack of a response of Lots wife.
vs 2 Lot knows the people of Sodom. Remember that his uncle, with divine power, delivered the cities of the plain. They are still free because Lot had been taken captive by the Shemites. The city has given itself over to evil, and is repeating the self destructive ways prior to the flood. Lot implores the angels through hospitality to come in for the night.
vs 3 The angels accept his hospitality. Notice the similarity to Abrahams actions in the previous chapter. Also note the differences in the lack of a response of Lots wife.
THE SIN OF SODOM
4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5 and they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7 and said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. 9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. 10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.
vs 4 The men of Sodom remind me of a gang or a mob. They have given their will over to a deception. Strangers, those that are different than them, are subject to their will. I believe that what they see are two beautiful creations of God, that they wish to use for their own desires.
vs 5 They will try to intimidate Lot into to handing them over. Lots obligation to do what is right and by hospitality, will not allow him to give them over. Fornication or perhaps a better definition is rape. this is a violent violation of another person, and that is not the only sin in which the city will be judged for. Paul in Romans paints a picture of an evil character:
Romans 1:18-32
18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known[o] about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
24 Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.
From Idolatry to Depravity26 This is why God delivered them over to degrading passions. For even their females exchanged natural sexual relations[p] for unnatural ones. 27 The males in the same way also left natural relations[q] with females and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Males committed shameless acts with males and received in their own persons[r] the appropriate penalty of their error.
28 And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. 29 They are filled with all unrighteousness,[s] evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving,[t] and unmerciful. 32 Although they know full well God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die[u]—they not only do them, but even applaud[v] others who practice them.
vs 6-7 Lot goes to use his influence to get these men to go away and not pursue the angels.
vs 8 Lot attempts to make a terrible deal with the men. We can see the difference between Lot and Abraham in this negotiation. Lot then informs them that hospitality demands that he protect them.
vs 9 The men of the city tell Lot what they really think of him. He is a stranger also and although he has been given a place of authority, probably based on Abrahams deliverance of the city, his status was always one that was given and can be rescinded.
vs 10 -11 Now the angels that seem to have been in danger, exert their power. They rescue Lot, who was thinking that he was rescuing them.
vs 5 They will try to intimidate Lot into to handing them over. Lots obligation to do what is right and by hospitality, will not allow him to give them over. Fornication or perhaps a better definition is rape. this is a violent violation of another person, and that is not the only sin in which the city will be judged for. Paul in Romans paints a picture of an evil character:
Romans 1:18-32
18 For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, 19 since what can be known[o] about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. 21 For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
24 Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.
From Idolatry to Depravity26 This is why God delivered them over to degrading passions. For even their females exchanged natural sexual relations[p] for unnatural ones. 27 The males in the same way also left natural relations[q] with females and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Males committed shameless acts with males and received in their own persons[r] the appropriate penalty of their error.
28 And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. 29 They are filled with all unrighteousness,[s] evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving,[t] and unmerciful. 32 Although they know full well God’s just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die[u]—they not only do them, but even applaud[v] others who practice them.
vs 6-7 Lot goes to use his influence to get these men to go away and not pursue the angels.
vs 8 Lot attempts to make a terrible deal with the men. We can see the difference between Lot and Abraham in this negotiation. Lot then informs them that hospitality demands that he protect them.
vs 9 The men of the city tell Lot what they really think of him. He is a stranger also and although he has been given a place of authority, probably based on Abrahams deliverance of the city, his status was always one that was given and can be rescinded.
vs 10 -11 Now the angels that seem to have been in danger, exert their power. They rescue Lot, who was thinking that he was rescuing them.
THE ENTIRE POPULATION IS DECEIVED
12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 13 for we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. 14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
vs 12 The men are angels of the Lord. They warn Lot of the immanent destruction of Sodom. Sons is likely the two daughters future husbands.
vs 13 All that have come to the city and been tortured, have cried out, God has heard. Sodom's proximity to Canaan is important, God has given Abraham Canaan, and Sodom is like a virus that if not stopped will spread. Not only did we see that God heard the blood of Abel, but also in Revelation 6:9-11:
9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
vs 14 The sons in law do not believe Lot. They would not believe that such a thing was possible.
vs 13 All that have come to the city and been tortured, have cried out, God has heard. Sodom's proximity to Canaan is important, God has given Abraham Canaan, and Sodom is like a virus that if not stopped will spread. Not only did we see that God heard the blood of Abel, but also in Revelation 6:9-11:
9 When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
vs 14 The sons in law do not believe Lot. They would not believe that such a thing was possible.
LEAVE NOW
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
vs 15-16 Lot and his family seem to be having a hard time believing God will destroy Sodom. Lot has invested time and energy into this city, he has a life that includes the city. Lot does not see clearly the immensity of the cities depravity. When we are very close to sin, it becomes harder to see. Just as when lies become so prevalent we can fail to see the truth. The angels have to drag them out.
LOT THE NEGOTIATOR
17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. 18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: 19 behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: 20 behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. 21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. 22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.
vs 17 The angels warn Lot that if he stays he will be consumed. They give him a plan of how to escape. Gods mercy will deliver them.
vs 18-19 Lots will negotiate out of fear, in contrast to Abraham negotiating out of love and compassion.
vs 20-21 The small city of Zoar is far enough away that if the angels control the destructive power that it can be spared. Zoar may have originally been part of the destruction, but out of mercy they agree.
vs 22 The angels inform Lot that they will not destroy the city until Lot is safe.
vs 18-19 Lots will negotiate out of fear, in contrast to Abraham negotiating out of love and compassion.
vs 20-21 The small city of Zoar is far enough away that if the angels control the destructive power that it can be spared. Zoar may have originally been part of the destruction, but out of mercy they agree.
vs 22 The angels inform Lot that they will not destroy the city until Lot is safe.
SODOM DESTROYED
23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven; 25 and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.
vs 23 Lot saw the sunrise as he entered Zoar.
vs 24 God did what He said He would do. He had spared the righteous and judged the unrighteous. He did not wait any longer than He had to. There seems to be a point of no return when a level of sin is reached. God allows us to go so far, but no farther.
vs 25 The destruction is complete.
vs 24 God did what He said He would do. He had spared the righteous and judged the unrighteous. He did not wait any longer than He had to. There seems to be a point of no return when a level of sin is reached. God allows us to go so far, but no farther.
vs 25 The destruction is complete.
SINS HOLD IS STRONG
26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. 27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord: 28 and he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.
vs 26 Lots wife regretted leaving the sinful city behind. She would share in its destruction from a distance.
vs 27 Abraham, from miles away witness's the destruction. This was massive.
vs 27 Abraham, from miles away witness's the destruction. This was massive.
THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERCESSION
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.
vs 29 It was Gods love of Abraham and Abrahams faith in God that delivered Lot to safety.
LOTS ESCAPE AND CHILDREN
30 And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters. 31 And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth: 32 come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. 33 And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. 34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. 35 And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. 36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father. 37 And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. 38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Ben-ammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.
Summary The similarities between the flood account and this are many.