Primary Bible Passages: Genesis 13:5-13 and Genesis 19

Key Verse: Genesis 19:14

Memory Verse: II Peter 2:8

Preparatory Daily Bible Readings:

Monday: Genesis 13
Tuesday: Genesis 14
Wednesday: Genesis 18
Thursday: Genesis 19
Friday: II Peter 2:6-9; Jude 7; Romans 1:24-27; Isaiah 1:5-9; Deuteronomy 23:17-18
Saturday: Job 10:14; Jeremiah 16:17; Hosea 7:2; II Timothy 4:10; Luke 17:32-33
Sunday: Acts 2:36; Luke 6:46; I Timothy 6:9-11; 17-19; Proverbs 14:24; Ecclesiastes 2; Matthew 6:19-20; Proverbs 16:8; Colossians 3:2; Matthew 6:33; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14-15; Daniel 12:3

I. SODOM AND THE SURROUNDING REGION.

A. At the time of Lot, the Salt (Dead) Sea Valley area (Genesis 14:3), in which the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were located, was very different from today.

1. Currently the region is extremely hot and arid with an average rainfall of between two and four inches concentrated in the winter months. Located 1,300 feet below sea level, summer temperatures there often exceed 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. At the time of Lot, there was still abundant rainfall in the region and the temperature was much more pleasant than it currently is. Dr. Henry Morris contends that the prime conditions in the lower Jordan River Rift at that time were probably the result of the lingering effects of the great Ice Age.

3.Genesis 13:10 likened the region at the time of Lot to both the Garden of Eden and the Nile River Valley in Egypt. The area was lush, fertile and well-watered.

B.The chief characteristic of the Salt Sea region at that time was homosexuality.

1. The Hebrew word for sodomite, which refers to an inhabitant of Sodom, is qadesh (kaw-dashe’). It is defined as a devotee to male prostitution. The word properly denotes a male temple prostitute, one of the class attached to certain sanctuaries of heathen deities and to the impure rites of their worship. The English word "sodomite" comes from this word. It speaks of various types of sexual activity between members of the same sex. (Jude 7) When the king of Sodom spoke to Abraham, he revealed his homosexual propensity by saying, "Give me the persons." (Genesis 14:21)

2. That the entire population of Sodom was given to homosexuality is seen in Genesis 19:4-5. When the two angels came to Lot in Sodom, every man in the entire city came to Lot demanding that he deliver the angels to them in order that they might "know them" sexually. This case clearly illustrates the characteristic of homosexuals to impose their lifestyle upon everyone, even to the point of rape, if necessary. They insist upon being free to openly practice their lifestyle, but once in power, they scorn and will not tolerate those who reject it.

3. Genesis 13:13 records that the "men" of Sodom were exceedingly wicked. God’s later comparison of Israel to them in the days of Isaiah provides insight into the extent of their wickedness. (Isaiah 1:5-9) Particularly consider verses 5-6. "...the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment."

C. God’s hatred of the sin of homosexuality is graphically demonstrated in His destruction of Sodom and the surrounding area by fire.

1. God knew the sin of Sodom, as He does all sins, (Job 10:14; Jeremiah 16:17; Hosea 7:2) and He said, "the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and...their sin is very grievous." (Genesis 18:20) Any person who thinks homosexuality is not an abomination before God is either ignorant of, or in rejection of, Biblical truth. (Deuteronomy 23:17-18; Romans 1:24-27)

2. In specific vengeance and judgment upon the wickedness of Sodom and the surrounding area, "Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground." (Genesis 19:24-25) II Peter 2:6 affirms that He intended what He did to Sodom and Gomorrah to be a perpetual object lesson to all men who might thereafter practice such wickedness.

II. LOT’S OBJECTIVE IN SODOM.

A. Lot moved to Sodom in order to gain material prosperity.

1. When given the opportunity to choose either the more arid highlands of Canaan or the lush valley and plains area, "Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan." (Genesis 13:11)

2. Like Paul’s co-worker, Demas, Lot loved this present world. (II Timothy 4:10) He is very typical of many who name the name of Christ.

3. Wealth accumulated through legitimate pursuits and without compromise of one’s faithfulness to God is a great tribute to anyone. (Proverbs 14:24) The first requirement for a child of God is that he "set his affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2; Matthew 6:33) Material goods, within themselves, lack the capacity to satisfy the soul andfulfill life. (Ecclesiastes 2) "The love of money" is declared to be "the root of all evil." (I Timothy 6:9-11) Jesus urged men to place their emphasis on spiritual, heavenly values rather than on material, earthly goods. (Matthew 6:19-20) Solomon summarized this truth well by saying, "Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right." (Proverbs 16:8)

4. At first Lot continued to live in a tent and did not move directly into Sodom. He "pitched his tent toward Sodom." (Genesis 13:12) Within a short time, Lot "dwelt in Sodom." (Genesis 14:12) By the time God announced the destruction of Sodom, "Lot sat in the gate," which is a statement that he was deeply involved in the commerce and business of the city, perhaps even a magistrate or judge. (Genesis 19:9) In Bible days the gate of a city was a place of business.

The world has a strong appeal. (I Peter 2:11) Lot illustrates its consuming power. In contrast, Moses illustrates the wisdom of a divine affection. (Hebrews 11:24-27)

B. To his shame, not one mention is made of any positive spiritual achievement by Lot.

1. While under the umbrella of Abraham’s protection and influence, Lot had grown quite wealthy. (Genesis 13:5) For a while as he lived in Sodom, he added to his wealth. (Genesis 14:12, 16)

2. A sad commentary is that while Lot was busy in material pursuits in Sodom, he exercised no spiritual impact upon anyone there. Though he was a saved man who knew things were very wrong (II Peter 2:7) and though he was a chief figure there for many years, he did nothing to change even one person for the better. God agreed to spare the city if only ten righteous (saved) people could be found there. (Genesis 18:23-32) Only Lot and his two daughters escaped and the conduct of the girls strongly suggests they were not saved. (Genesis 19:30-36)

Most of the other things in life which believers do amount to very little if they do not bring those about them to know the Lord. (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14-15; Daniel 12:3)

III. THE IMPACT OF LOT’S CHOICE AND DIRECTION IN LIFE.

A. Lot went to Sodom a rich man; he left in poverty.

1. At the root of Lot’s separation from Abraham was the fact that their combined wealth in herds and flocks made it difficult for one localized area to adequately support them. (Genesis 13:5-9) Even during the later invasion by a strong war party led by four kings from the northeast, Lot, who was taken captive, remained very prosperous. His rescue by Abraham, who also rescued the five kings of the region where Lot lived, made Lot a famous and chief figure among them. (Genesis 14)

2. In his escape from Sodom to escape the judgment of God upon the place, Lot lost all of his material goods. He did not even have a tent but dwelt in a cave. (Genesis 19:30)

3. Lot’s example is a warning to every person, especially believers, who would trust in the security of material goods. (I Timothy 6:17-19)

B. Lot’s choice in life not only cost him his material wealth, it also cost him his family.

1. At the announcement of what God was about to do to Sodom, "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." (Genesis 19:14) Lot had lost all his spiritual influence, even with his own family. What a contrast to Abraham Lot was in this regard! (Genesis 18:19)

2. The reluctance of Lot’s wife to leave Sodom is seen in her looking back. She became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26)

Just how this occurred is not explained. It is noteworthy that the Jordan Rift is a part of the "Great Rift" which continues through the Red Sea and Upper Nile Valley and into southern Africa. The area around the Dead Sea, particularly the southern end where archaeological excavations have revealed four underwater cities corresponding to those discussed in Genesis 13-19, is rich in salts and sulphur. Jebel Usdum, located at the southwestern corner of the Sea, is a rock salt mountain which is 700 feet high. In the tempest of God’s judgment, it is quite possible that He spewed sulphur into the air through volcanic action and ignited it with lightning. However He did it, as Abraham viewed the destruction from the nearby highlands, "the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace." (Genesis 19:27-28) Through the possible falling upon her of a huge chunk of salt which could have chemically changed her into salt or through some other divine means, God turned Lot’s wife into a pillar of salt.

Jesus used Lot’s wife as a warning to all who seek to hang on to their old lives and bring about their own salvation. (Luke 17:32-33) All who do will perish. The only hope of salvation is in the Savior. (Romans 5:1-2)

3. Even though Lot succeeded in getting two of his daughters out of Sodom, they were lost to him in any spiritual sense. Their values were totally heathenistic. As if they were doing a good thing to preserve their lineage, they made their father drunk on successive nights and committed incest with him by which they became pregnant. (Genesis 19:30-36) From these perverted relationships came two sons, who would father nations, the Moabites and the Ammonites, which would be perpetual enemies of Israel to the present. (Genesis 19:37-38)

C. Lot was a believer who chose to dedicate himself to the pursuit of the world rather than to God.

1. In his quest for material prosperity he lost everything of true value in life and died in shame and disgrace.

2. He is a sober warning to every believer who refuses to make Jesus both Savior and Lord. (Acts 2:36; Luke 6:46)

FOOTNOTES

1. Kiel, Dr. Wolfgang Hassenpflug, Baedeker’s Israel, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Printice-Hall, Inc., 0-13-056176-2, page 17.

2. Morris, Henry, The Genesis Record, Grand Rapids: Baker, 1976, page 303.

3. Strong, James, Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary, New York: Abingdon Press, 1958, reference 6945.

4. Orr, James, The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1956, page 2821.

5. Wright, Fred H., Manners and Customs of Bible Lands, Chicago: Moody Press, 1953, pages 239-241.

6. Morris, pages 353-356.

SUMMARY

Lot was a saved man whose affection was centered on the world and its material goods rather than on God. Given a choice, Lot unhesitatingly went for the place where he thought he could reap the greatest material success. There is no indication that any spiritual consideration was a part of his decision.

While Abraham stayed on the central highlands of Canaan, Lot went into the southern end of the Jordan River Valley, the area around the Salt Sea, to make his fortune. (The Salt Sea has become known as the Dead Sea.) There were five major cities in that area, four of which seem to have since been covered with the waters at the southern end of the Dead Sea. These waters have risen as siltation has occurred, particularly in the deep, northern end of the Sea. Today this region is quite arid and hot. In the days of Lot, the effects of the great Ice Age seem to have prevailed rendering the region extremely lush, well-watered and ideal for agriculture. A rich farming community flourished there.

The people of the valley had become extremely wicked with their chief sin being homosexuality. All of the men in Sodom, young and old, actively cultivated their perverted, unnatural activity. When God sent two angels to remove Lot from the city prior to God’s destruction of the place with fire and brimstone, every man in Sodom came to force them into homosexual acts, even to the point of rape, if necessary. Homosexuals are recruiters, and once in sufficient power, they attempt to impose their lifestyle upon everyone. The Hebrew word for sodomite refers to a devotee to male prostitution. In English sodomite refers to one who involves himself or herself with sexual activity with those of the same sex. The Bible, in many places, calls this activity contrary to nature and severely condemns it. It is strictly forbidden in scripture.

No act of God better illustrates His attitude about homosexuality than His destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone. During that destruction, the Jordan valley appeared to be a giant furnace. One of the greatest fault lines on the earth runs directly through this area and on southward through the Red Sea, the Upper Nile Valley and on to the rift in southern Africa. The area around the Dead Sea is highly rich in minerals and given to earthquakes and volcanic activity. Large deposits of sulphur abound there. Asphalt is there in great natural quantities. It appears that in His destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, God erupted the crust of the earth and spewed large quantities of sulphur and other combustible materials skyward. These He ignited, possibly with lightning. Fire and brimstone literally rained from the skies. The results were total devastation and a perpetual testimony to God’s hatred of homosexuality.

In the process of this destruction, Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. Just how this happened is unclear. That it did happen is a matter of divine testimony. When organic matter is suddenly covered and compressed under conditions of great heat, strange things can happen. The area where this event occurred abounds with great deposits of salt. Lot’s wife became chemically merged with that salt.

Lot went to Sodom in search of greater wealth. In his quest, he lost all he had, even what he had when he went there, which was sizeable. At first he didn’t move into Sodom, the continued to live in his tent and trade there. That soon ended and he was residing in Sodom as one of its best known citizens. The statement of Genesis 19:9 causes many to think that he had become a magistrate there. The reference to him sitting in the gate strongly suggests that he was integrated into the center of Sodom’s commerce.

Surely with Lot’s fame, which was enhanced by Abraham’s daring rescue of him from the five marauding kings from the northeast, he had abundant opportunities to influence the people of Sodom and the surrounding area toward the true God and his righteous standards. From the New Testament it is clear that the wickedness of the people vexed Lot’s soul, yet there is not one hint in scripture that Lot did anything to change them for the better. Before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, He revealed His plans to Abraham. Godly Abraham plead with God to spare the cities, even to the point of bargaining with God. God agreed that if there were only ten righteous people in Sodom, He would spare the city. Since Lot had lived there many years, it would seem reasonable to hope that he had impacted at least nine others. One is made righteous only by a personal appropriation of the righteousness of God by faith, thus a "righteous" person is only one who is saved. The sad commentary on Lot is that in all of his time in Sodom, he had not brought even one other person to righteousness, and there is no divine testimonial that he even attempted to do so. In this he is very much like many modern men who name the name of God.

Lot went to Sodom in search of the material wealth and comfort which this world offers. When he fled Sodom for his life, he carried nothing with him except the clothes on his back. He lost everything while in Sodom. He plead with his older, married children and their mates to leave. They laughed and sneered him to his face. His life had made no impact on them. The prospect of a divine judgment upon sin was a laughing matter to them. It is evident that they had accepted the wickedness and homosexual lifestyle of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Even the younger daughters of Lot where totally infected with the mentality of Sodom. Lot got them out of Sodom, but he was not able to get Sodom’s influence out of them. Upon their escape from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot feared to live in the one surviving city, Zoar. He took the girls and dwelt in a cave in a mountain of that region. In a rather pious but warped type of reasoning, the two young daughters of Lot reasoned that it was up to them to preserve the human race and that the only remaining man was their father. On successive nights they made him drunk and committed incest with him. Each became pregnant and bore a son. One of these sons grew up to become the father of the Moabites; the other became the father of the Ammonites. Both of these nations have been perpetual enemies to the Jews.

In repeated warnings the Old and New Testaments of the Bible use the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of God’s hatred of sin, particularly homosexuality. His judgment upon these two cities is a clear testimonial that He will not indefinitely tolerate wickedness. Lot’s wife is cited as an example of the futility of one’s effort to save himself, and Lot is a glaring testimony of the futility of worldly success apart from separation to God.

QUESTIONS

1. Locate the Jordan River Rift on your Bible map.

2. Describe modern meteorological conditions in the area around the Dead Sea.

3. Describe meteorological conditions around the Dead Sea at the time of Lot and account for the difference in those and current conditions.

4. Describe the spiritual condition of the people in the Sodom area during the days of Lot.

5. For what sin is Sodom best known?

6. What is the history of homosexuals, once they have sufficient power, toward others?

7. What is God’s attitude toward homosexuality?

8. Cite scriptures proving that God does not consider homosexuality to be natural behavior.

9. How did God bring judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah because of their extreme wickedness?

10. How is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah used in many later Old and New Testament scriptures?

11. What was Lot’s objective in going to Sodom?

12. How do we know that Lot was a saved man?

13. Discuss how his move to Sodom affected his life.

14. Name ways by which Lot personifies so many modern believers.

15. How did Abraham’s bargaining with God over the destruction of Sodom involve Lot’s soul winning record?

16. How successful was Lot in achieving his material objectives in Sodom?

17. Explain how Lot lost his family in Sodom.

18. Discuss the fact that Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt.