Section 7 - Part 8: God Judges Sodom and Gomorrah

Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” They said however, “No, but we shall spend the night in the square.” Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, and said, “Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. “Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof.” But they said, “Stand aside.” Furthermore, they said, “This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them.” So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door. But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. They struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway. Then the two men said to Lot, “Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, “Up, get out of this place, for the Lord will destroy the city.” But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting. When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city. When they had brought them outside, one said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.” But Lot said to them, “Oh no, my lords! “Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die; now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved.” He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken. “Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the town was called Zoar. The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the Lord; and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace. Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived. Lot went up from Zoar, and stayed in the mountains, and his two daughters with him; for he was afraid to stay in Zoar; and he stayed in a cave, he and his two daughters. Then the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of the earth. “Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him that we may preserve our family through our father.” So they made their father drink wine that night, and the firstborn went in and lay with her father; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. On the following day, the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine tonight also; then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve our family through our father.” So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger arose and lay with him; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. The firstborn bore a son, and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. As for the younger, she also bore a son, and called his name Ben-ammi; he is the father of the sons of Ammon to this day.

Contextual Reminder:

What kind of text is Genesis? What genre?

Historical Narrative.

Can we apply everything in the text to our lives?

Why not?

This is not an epistle.

Lot’s Relationship with Sodom Great over Time:

Lot pitched his tent in Sodom:

Genesis 13:10–12 (NASB95) Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom.

Lot dwelt in Sodom:

Genesis 14:12 NASB95

They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom.

Lot sat at the gate of Sodom:

Genesis 19:1 NASB95

Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.

Section 1: Lot Attempts to Protect the Angels

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 19

1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 And he said, “Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant’s house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.” They said however, “No, but we shall spend the night in the square.” 3 Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. 4 Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; 5 and they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” 6 But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, 7 and said, “Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. 8 “Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof.” 9 But they said, “Stand aside.” Furthermore, they said, “This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them.” So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door. 10 But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11 They struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway.

Where was Lot when the angels entered Sodom?

Sitting in the gate

Genesis 19:1 NASB95

Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground.

What does this say about Lot?

He was in a position of influence.

What did Lot do when he observed the men?

He bowed down as Abraham did

He fed the two men:

Genesis 19:3 (NASB95) Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

Genesis 18:4–8 (NASB95) “Please let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree; and I will bring a piece of bread, that you may refresh yourselves; after that you may go on, since you have visited your servant.” And they said, “So do, as you have said.” So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly, prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it and make bread cakes.” Abraham also ran to the herd, and took a tender and choice calf and gave it to the servant, and he hurried to prepare it. He took curds and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and placed it before them; and he was standing by them under the tree as they ate.

Abraham bowed down: The same word used

Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words שָׁחָה

[8817] שָׁחָה šāḥâ 2× [Q] to bow down; [H] to weigh down, cause to bow [7812]

Lot bowed down:

Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words שָׁחָה

[8817] שָׁחָה šāḥâ 2× [Q] to bow down; [H] to weigh down, cause to bow [7812]

Who came to Lot and what did they want?

All of the men came to Lot.

What time did the men of the city of Sodom come to Lot’s house?

Before they lay down

What does this demonstrate about the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities being judged?

Their corruption was full.

The males of the land were suppose to be the protectors and leaders.

The men rejected their place in the family, society, security, etc…

The state of the masculinity in a location can communicate how the culture will be.

What did the men want?

To violate the angels they thought were men

What did Lot do?

Tried to protect the men

How did Lot try to protect the angels?

Tried to tell them what they were doing was wrong

He offered his daughters

Lot Offered His Daughters - was this right?

Absolutely not.

What did the angels do?

Saved Lot

Blinded the men

What did this confirm for the angels?

Sodom was fully corrupt.

Section 2: The Angels Tell Lot to Gather His Family

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 19

12 Then the two men said to Lot, “Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; 13 for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the LORD that the LORD has sent us to destroy it.” 14 Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, “Up, get out of this place, for the LORD will destroy the city.” But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting.

What was Lot’s Response to the angels?

He immediately went to those he cared about to warn them.

In the midst of understanding the judgement of God, he warned his family.

What was the response of Lot’s family?

They didn’t believe Lot.

What does this say about his family?

Do we warn our families of the judgement to come?

Do we believe in the judgement to come enough to warn our family?

Section 3: Lot Requests to go to Zoar

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 19

15 When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.” 16 But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the LORD was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city. 17 When they had brought them outside, one said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away.” 18 But Lot said to them, “Oh no, my lords! 19 “Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die; 20 now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved.” 21 He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken. 22 “Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the town was called Zoar.

What did the angels have to do with Lot?

Urge him to leave.

Why?

Lot hesitated

Why would lot do this if he was a righteous man?

2 Peter 2:6–8 NASB95

and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter; and if He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day by their lawless deeds),

What does this say about the Lord?

The Lord was compassionate towards Lot.

Where does Lot want to go?

Zoar

Why?

Lot is fearful of living in the wilderness

Lot makes excuses

Location of Zoar:

~15 mile straight shot

What does the angel say about Zoar?

Though it is small, they were going to overthrow it.

What does this tell us?

It is as wicked as Sodom and Gomorrah

How does the angel respond to the request?

He grants it but with a warning that he cannot begin to judge Sodom and Gomorrah until Lot gets to Zoar

Section 4: Sarah Looks Back to Sodom while Arriving at Zoar

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 19

23 The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. 24 Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven, 25 and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

Did they make it to Zoar?

Yes

What happened?

Lot’s wife looked back

Longing to return to sin is rebellion to God - God was merciful in having them go to Zoar, but her turning back spoke of something going on in her heart.

Israel mimicked Sarah’s desire to return:

Exodus 14:11–12 (NASB95) Then they said to Moses, “Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? “Is this not the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

Exodus 16:3 (NASB95) The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Numbers 11:19–20 (NASB95) ‘You shall eat, not one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor ten days, nor twenty days, but a whole month, until it comes out of your nostrils and becomes loathsome to you; because you have rejected the Lord who is among you and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?” ’ ”

In what way does this apply to us?

Looking back at the life of being an unbeliever.

Desiring to turn back to the sinful life we once had.

In what ways do we do this? (look back to our old lives?)

Section 5: Abraham Observes God’s Judgment

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 19

27 Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the LORD; 28 and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the valley, and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land ascended like the smoke of a furnace.

When did Abraham rise?

Early in the morning

What does this say about Abraham?

He was expecting the judgement

He watched the judgement

He was concerned about Lot

Section 6: God Remembered Abraham and Followed-Through with His Promise

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 19

29 Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.

What does this say about God?

God allowed a wicked city, Zoar, to stay knowing Lot was going to leave Zoar

Section 7: Incest in the Home

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 19

30 Lot went up from Zoar, and stayed in the mountains, and his two daughters with him; for he was afraid to stay in Zoar; and he stayed in a cave, he and his two daughters. 31 Then the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of the earth. 32 “Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him that we may preserve our family through our father.” 33 So they made their father drink wine that night, and the firstborn went in and lay with her father; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. 34 On the following day, the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine tonight also; then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve our family through our father.” 35 So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger arose and lay with him; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. 36 Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. 37 The firstborn bore a son, and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 As for the younger, she also bore a son, and called his name Ben-ammi; he is the father of the sons of Ammon to this day.

What did Lot do after he went to Zoar?

He left for the mountains even though he said he would die if he went to the mountains

Genesis 19:19 NASB95

“Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die;

Why did he do this?

He was afraid to stay in Zoar

Why was he afraid to stay in Zoar?

It was a wicked place.

It was going to be destroyed

Genesis 19:21 NASB95

He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken.

What did Lot’s daughters believe was going to happen?

There would be no men to repopulate the earth.

What was their solution?

Incest.

What might be the reason for why they would come to the conclusion that incest was a viable solution?

Bad parenting

Sodom’s social values

What were their children’s names called?

Moab (Became the Moabites)

Ben-ammi (Became the Ammonites)

What did these names mean, and who were their tribes?

Moabites: See the notes below

Moab, Son of Lot (מוֹאָב, mo'av). A son of Lot and his oldest daughter. Ancestor of the Moabites. His name is a wordplay on the Hebrew word for “father” (Gen 19:37). 19:37 Moab The Hebrew word used here sounds like the Hebrew phrase for “from father.”

Ben-ammi: See Notes Below

The Abridged Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew-English Lexicon of the Old Testament (בֶּן־עַמִּי) n.pr.m. (son of my people) son of Lot by his younger daughter, and ancestor of the Ammonites (בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן v. עַמּוֹן).

Where did these men end up living?

The Moabites lived in the land that was destroyed.

Ammonites were the Moabites northern neighors

Moabites:

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Moab

MOAB (מוֹאָב, mo'av). The geographical plateau east of the Dead Sea, south of the Arnon River, north of the Zered River, and west of the Arabian Desert. May also refer to the ancient state located within this area from the end of the Late Bronze Age through the Iron Age.

Moab in the Bible

Though few narratives portray Moabites as primary characters, Moab itself is a common setting.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary B. Judgment On Moab (25:8–11)

B. Judgment on Moab (25:8–11)

The hostility between Moab and Israel began when Balak, king of Moab, tried to oppose Israel as Moses was leading them to Palestine (cf.

Ammonites:

The Bible Knowledge Commentary A. Judgment On Ammon (25:1–7)

A. Judgment on Ammon (25:1–7)

25:1–2. Ezekiel had already pronounced judgment on Ammon (21:28–32). Now Ammon was singled out to head the list of nations that would feel the sting of divine judgment.

Ammon and Israel had been in conflict since the time of Jephthah during the period of the Judges (Jud. 10:6–11:33). Saul fought with the Ammonites to rescue Jabesh Gilead (

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