Every year, people ignore the warnings signs and get dangerously close to bison and bears in the Yellowstone National Park. Everyone has seen the stories on YouTube of people getting gored, thrown, or attacked, but some still believe it will never happen to them. The signs and the stories are there to protect them, but they choose to ignore them.
The Bible is full of warning signs. God’s Word records the consequences of sin, not so we will shake our heads at others, but so we will avoid making the same choices. We must learn from the sinful choices of others.
Genesis 19 records the true account of Sodom and Gomorrah. Two angels visit the city and decide to sleep outside overnight. Lot sees their choice and does not stop insisting they stay the night in his home until they agree. This sense of urgency seems to indicate Lot knew what happens to travelers in the city. In short order, all the men of the city gather at Lot’s door, and command him to bring the strangers out to them for the purpose of a same gender gang rape. Lot pleads with them not to do this evil deed and they respond, “who are you, a foreigner, to judge us! Move aside!” The angels shut the door, and the men outside are blinded. The angels then tell Lot to leave before they destroy the city, and eventually, they take Lot and his family by the hand to pull them out of the city. In the end, Sodom and Gomorrah are utterly destroyed when God rains down burning sulfur and fire on the cities (Gen. 19:24-25).
What does the Bible say about Sodom and Gomorrah?
Gen. 13:13 – Sodom was exceedingly wicked
Gen. 18:20-21 – Their sins cried out to God
Ez. 16:49 – Marked by pride and self-sufficiency.
Ez. 16:49 - They lived in idleness and self-indulgence.
Ez. 16:49 – They failed to help the poor and needy.
Gen. 19 :4-9; Ez. 16:50; Jude 7 – Committed abominable immoral (sexual) sin & rejected God’s design. They were arrogant. They were fornicators. They attempted a gang rape of the same gender.
Gen. 19:4-11 – Violent, hostile, and rejected righteousness
Is. 3:9 – They did not hide their sin. Their sin was open and shameless.
Deut. 29:23; II Peter 2:6; Jude 7 – Their destruction became a lasting warning to future generations
Matt. 10:14-15; 11:23-24; Lk. 10:10-12 – Jesus warned that those who reject the gospel will face even greater judgment than Sodom.
What can we learn from Sodom and Gomorrah?
Be careful what you grow comfortable with (19:1-3)
Lot had become so accustomed to Sodom that he was sitting at the gate. In fact, these verses indicate Lot knew what happened to strangers in the city. What may have been troubling in the past was now familiar to him in the present.
Be careful! Becoming comfortable with the very things God calls us to resist, put off, or mortify (Col. 3:5, 8) is a dangerous place to live your life. God will not be mocked (Gal. 6:7)!
Sin always takes us further than we intended to go (19:4-11)
The exceeding wickedness of Sodom had reached a horrifying level! LGBTQ mob rule was in full affect.
Leaving sinful choices unchecked does not keep those choices contained. Those sinful choices will grow and spread! We must never underestimate the destructive power of tolerated sin in our personal life, our home, and in our church.
Do not let the world pull you away from urgency (19:12-16)
Lot knew judgment was coming, but instead of running to the designated place of safety, he lingered! In fact, the angels had to take him, his wife, and his two daughters by their hands to lead them out of the city. Had Lot lingered much longer, this account may have had a different ending.
When we have the clear will or way of God shown to us, we should never embrace delayed obedience. Never cling to what God is calling us to leave.
Take God’s warnings seriously (19:17-22)
Lot was given a clear command, “Escape for your life. Do not look behind you.”
Look at the mercy of God here! God is not giving Lot what he deserves. God’s warnings are expressions of His mercy. So, when scripture tells us to flee sin, don’t negotiate your outcome, run from sin!
Never long for the life God delivered you from (19:23-26)
Although Lot’s wife physically left Sodom, her heart was clearing still in this exceedingly sinful city. God said to flee and not look back. Lot’s wife looked back and she suffered the consequences, turning to a pillar of salt.
It is very possible to physically leave a sinful environment while still longing for it in your heart. Do you value God’s deliverance more than your former life of sin?
Remember that God’s judgment is certain (19:24-29)
The judgment on Sodom is fierce and thorough!
It is possible that Lot lived in or near Sodom for decades before Genesis 19. However, God does not extend mercy over our sin forever. Eventually, there is always a day of reckoning for the unrepentant (Gal. 6:7-9). Remember, what you rehearse repeatedly in your mind will undeniably impact your desires, and your desires will most certainly form your choices. Choose to rehearse the reality of eternity, the reality of God’s presence, and the reality of the Judgment Seat of Christ (for those accepted relationship with Jesus) or the Great White Throne Judgment (for those who reject Jesus) to help shape your habits and character for the here and now…and choose to rehearse Jesus to help impress the urgency to reach others with the truth of the gospel.
Let God’s mercy motivate you to pray for others (19:27-29; 18:23-33)
Abraham interceded and pled with God for Sodom and Gomorrah, and God answered those petitions when He delivered Lot.
Never underestimate the power of praying for others! Keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking (Matt. 7:7-8) for your rebellious child, for your stubborn brother, for your bitter friend, and for your angry family member. God is the one who can draw a person to Himself and change their life!
The choices we make today can impact the next generation (19:30-38)
Lot chose a compromised life, and it had devastating consequences in his family. The offspring he had with his daughters ended up being the enemies of Israel in the years to come, the Moabites and the Ammonites (19:37-38). His daughters chose immorality and the nation of Israel gained two enemy nations!
Our spiritual compromises rarely impact only us. The decisions we make today can often shape the spiritual direction of our children and those who follow us.
When Bernie Madoff was arrested in 2008, thousands of people lost their life savings because of his greed, manipulation, and deception. In the years that followed, investment firms strengthened accountability and individuals became more cautious. Wise people looked at that tragedy and said, "What safeguards do we need so this doesn't happen to us?"
One of the reasons God records the failures of sinful people, is for the same purpose. He intends for us to learn from their choices before we make the same mistakes. What have you learned from the life of Lot and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? What safeguards have you removed that need to be reestablished? What must you make right with the Lord today? Do not linger in your choice to follow Jesus!