OVERVIEW:
The visit of the two angels to Lot; Sodom destroyed; Lot’s wife; Lot and his daughters; Abraham and Sarah sojourn in Gerar; the conflict between Abraham and Abimilech over Sarah; the birth of Isaac; Hagar and Ishmael; the covenant between Abraham and Abimilech.
HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:
There’s “a lot” to learn from the life of Lot!
It’s easy to read over the simple phrase in 19:1, “and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom,” and miss the incredible significance. But recognize, in the Old Testament, “sitting in the gate” meant that you were “somebody!” I mean, when you spent your afternoon’s hanging out with the fellas down at the gate, you had achieved some pretty major status in the community! But let me assure you, being a “big-wig” in a city as morally corrupt and whacked out as Sodom is not the position any God-follower ever wants to attain! In the words of James, I think that might be called “friendship with the world!” (Jam. 4:4) And recognize also, this wasn’t a position Lot attained overnight! It was actually the culmination of Lot’s gradual downward spiral into a life of carnality, worldliness and ungodliness. God carefully details Lot’s downward spiral into a life of sin through about a seven-chapter span in the Book of Genesis.
Check out the progression…
- Lot “LIFTED UP HIS EYES” toward Sodom. (13:10)
- Lot “PITCHED HIS TENT” toward Sodom. (13:13)
- Lot “DWELT” in Sodom. (14:12)
- Lot “SAT IN THE GATE” of Sodom. (19:1)
- Even after God confirmed its destruction, Lot “LINGERED” in Sodom. (19:15-16)
The thing we must make certain we don’t miss, is that this pattern is repeated over and over in the lives of many in Scripture, as well as the lives of many believers right up to the present day! Seldom, if ever, are Christians suddenly overtaken by the world. As in the case of Lot, it begins with FRIENDSHIP with the world (Jam. 4:4); then becomes LOVING the things of the world (1 Jn. 2:15); until finally, the ways of the world have become such a part of the fabric of who we are, we become completely ENGULFED by Satan’s diabolical system of evil (Eph. 2:2), much like we were before God delivered us out of it at salvation. (2 Tim. 2:26; 2 Pet. 1:9)
Satan makes this world’s system look attractive, promising, alluring and enticing but it’s designed to chew us up and spit us out! When Abraham gave Lot the choice of the land he wanted (13:8–11), Sodom appeared to Lot to be a place of peace, prosperity, and protection. In the end, it turned out to be a place of conflict, compromise, and casualty.
Lot went into Sodom with his communion with God, his wife, his testimony, his character, and his wealth, and came out with none of them! None!!! Oh, may God help us to see this present evil world for what it is!
Lot, who in this passage lost everything to the fire of God’s judgment (19:15–29), pictures for us the life of a worldly believer who loses everything to the fire of God’s judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ. (1 Cor. 3:11–15) God affirms through Peter (2 Peter 2:7–8) that Lot, (like many believers today), was “saved”, “yet so as by fire” (1 Cor. 3:15).
Just a brief note to husbands and fathers: Lot’s life screams out the urgent warning of how the decisions we make effect our wives and children. (19:26,30–38).
The story of Lot’s wife is a sermon in itself. Jesus said it very succinctly, “Remember Lot’s wife.” (Lk 17:32). What a power-packed three-word sermon! The Lord Jesus Christ holds her up as an example and warning to all who reject His offer of salvation.
The atrocity that was schemed and carried out by Lot’s daughters (19:30–38) began the Moabites and Ammonites. These two nations will consistently be a thorn in Israel’s side (Num. 25:1–3; 1 Kings 11:33), teaching us, once again, that there are always painful consequences to sin.
It seems unthinkable that Abraham would try to pass off Sarah as his sister (Gen. 19) within 20 years of making the same mistake with Pharaoh, until we realize that God spends a great deal of time and extends a great deal of mercy teaching us the same lessons over and over again.
In chapter 21, God proves His faithfulness to His Word. Isaac, the miracle child of promise is born to Abraham and Sarah.
CHRIST IS REVEALED:
- In ISAAC – Genesis 21:12 (Gen. 17:19; Gal. 3:16)