The Inhabitants of Sodom

Scripture : Genesis 19

This chapter concerns the rescue of Lot and the destruction of Sodom.  The deeds of the following types of people have the intended teaching for the world today.

1.       Sodomites (Gen 19:4-9) : The perverted Sodomites and their lustful demands from Lot about the two heavenly messengers indicate that they were "sinners before the Lord exceedingly" (Gen 13:13).  The present-day world somewhat resemble Sodom (Rev 11:8). Every one should depart from this sinful world to avoid the wrath of God.

2.       Lot's sons-in-law (Gen 19:14): As partners of sins in Sodom, Lot's sons-in-law mocked at Lot's warning of the imminent catastrophe.  In the end-time there would be ungodly scoffers (II Pet 3:3-4, II Tim 3:1-S).

3.       Lot's wife (Gen 19:26) : Although she went out of Sodom, she turned around and looked back at the city (a symbolic gesture of her unwillingness to sever herself completely from sin).  The reborn Christians must always press for-ward, head for the holy mountain of God, and he concerned with nothing but the things that are above (Gen 19:17, Lk 9:62, Col 3:1-2).

4.       Lot's daughters (Gen 19:30-38) : Lot's two daughters must have been contaminated by the wicked Sodomites.  To the abomination of God they imposed their incestuous plot upon the unwatchful Lot.  The Bible says, :'he who sows in his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption (Cal 6:8).  For this reason Lot was the accursed father of the Moabites and Ammonites who later became Israel's enemies.

5.       Lot (Gen 19:1) : Driven by the desire for a glamorous life, Lot left the faithful Abraham and came to dwell in Sodom.  He exemplifies a man of fallen faith : a) He became an official managing the public affairs at the city gate; b) His failing faith resulted in his sons-in-law's disbelief; c) Even though the angels were eager to move him out of the city, Lot lingered (Gen 19:15-16); d) Lot disobeyed the divine command by choosing to dwell in Zoar instead of fleeing to the hills (Gen 19:12-22); e) Out of folly and drunkenness he committed the grievous sin of incest.

6.       Abraham (Gen 19:27-28) : Abraham is the only righteous person in this chapter.  He got up early to offer sacrifice to God and to pray for Lot. When he looked toward Gomorrah and Sodom in smoke he must have had a godly fear and grief for those who perished in the divine punishment.  Every one of us must learn from Abraham and be an obedient child of God in faith and in love.

            “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

            “Every one then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)