Deliverance & Judgment at Sodom - Genesis 19:1-38

An exposi*onal study taught by
Harry Morgan

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Ø Sodom’s Society (19:1–12)
Ø Sodom’s Sin (19:13–26)
Ø Sodom’s Signiﬁcance (19:27–38)
Briscoe, D. S., & Ogilvie, L. J. (1987).
Genesis (Vol. 1, pp. 160–161). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.

1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening,
and Lot was si6ng in the gate of Sodom. When Lot
saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed
himself with his face toward the ground. 2 And he said,
“Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s
house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then
you may rise early and go on your way.” And they said,
“No, but we will spend the night in the open square.” 3
But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and
entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and
baked unleavened bread, and they ate.

1. Describe the history of Lot prior to Genesis 19.
• Lot born & raised
• Lot’s father was Haran, his uncle
• Lot departed Ur & traveled with
in Ur of Chaldees (11:28,31)
was Abram (11:28)
Abram as the
LO RD directed (12:4)

1b. Describe the history of Lot prior to Genesis 19.
• Lot separated from Abram over
• Lot chose
land rights for
their herds (Gen. 13:8-9)
“all the plain of Jordan” (Gen. 13:10-11)

• Lot “taken” hostage by
• Lot rescued by
• Lot “sat in
5 kings (Gen. 13:12)
God through Abram (Gen. 14:13-16)
the gate of Sodom” (Gen. 19:1)
1c. Describe the history of Lot prior to Genesis 19.
toward Sodom” (Gen. 13:12)• Lot “pitched his tent
Wouldn’t you like
to wake up to this
view each morning?

2. What time of day did the two angels visit
with Lot?
• Angels spare Lot “with the coming of dawn” (15)
• The Lord destroys the cities “the sun had risen” (23)
• Abraham witnesses the aftermath “early the next
morning” (27)
Sunshine Skyway Bridge Sunrise
MaIhew Paulson Photography

3. What were the two angels doing prior to
their visit?
18:2 So he (Abraham) li;ed his eyes and looked, and
behold, three men were standing by him; and when he
saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and
bowed himself to the ground,
18:8 So he took buBer and milk and the calf which he
had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by
them under the tree as they ate.
18:16 Then the men rose from there and looked toward
Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on
the way.
18:22 Then the men turned away from there and went
toward Sodom, but Abraham sEll stood before the LO RD.

4. Why did the angels visit Lot? What was
their mission?
18:21 I will go down now and see whether they have
done altogether according to the outcry against it that
has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”
Two or three witnesses are required to confirm a matter.
(Deut. 19:15; Mt. 18:16; 2 Cor. 13:1)
TheLordsenttwoangels!

5. How did Lot respond to his angelic visitors?
19:1–3 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the
evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.
When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he
bowed himself with his face toward the ground.

5b. How did Lot respond to his angelic visitors?
19:1–3 2 And he said, “Here now, my lords, please
turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night,
and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on
your way.” And they said, “No, but we will spend the
night in the open square.” 3 But he insisted strongly;
so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then
he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread,
and they ate.

6. Compare Lot’s response to Abraham’s
response.
18:2–8 So he li6ed his eyes and looked, and behold,
three men were standing by him; and when he saw
them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and
bowed himself to the ground, 3 and said, “My Lord, if I
have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by
Your servant. 4 Please let a liHle water be brought, and
wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. 5
And I will bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh
your hearts. A6er that you may pass by, inasmuch as
you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you
have said.”

7. Compare Lot’s response to Abraham’s
response.
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said,
“Quickly, make ready three measures of fine meal;
knead it and make cakes.” 7 And Abraham ran to the
herd, took a tender and good calf, gave it to a young
man, and he hastened to prepare it. 8 So he took butter
and milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it
before them; and he stood by them under the tree as
they ate.

8. Where was Lot when they ﬁrst met?
and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot
saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed
himself with his face toward the ground.
The place where the elders of
the city meet to do business
(cf. Ruth 4:1,2; Deut. 22:15;
25:7; Josh. 20:4; Lam. 5:14).

9. Explain the signiﬁcance of “the gate of Sodom”?
Psalm 24:7–9 Li; up your
heads, O you gates! And be
li;ed up, you everlasEng
doors! And the King of glory
shall come in. 8 Who is this
King of glory? The LO RD
strong and mighty, The LO RD
mighty in baLle. 9 Li; up
your heads, O you gates! Li;
up, you everlasEng doors!
And the King of glory shall
come in.
Philadelphia
City Hall

10. What does this phrase tell us about Lot?
1. Lot had become completed accepted and
integrated into Sodom’s society.
2. Lot held a position of authority and judgment.
3. Though other elders were most likely with Lot
at the moment of his encounter with the two
angels, but no one else offers them hospitality.

11. Describe the city of Sodom.
• A beautiful place “well watered everywhere …
like the garden of the LORD” (Gen. 13:10)
• A luxurious, hedonistic place of enjoyment and
pleasure. “Look, this was the iniquity of your
sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride,
fullness of food, and abundance of idleness;
neither did she strengthen the hand of the
poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty and
committed abomination before Me; therefore I
took them away as I saw fit.” (Ezek. 16:49–50)

12. How is this city referred to in the rest of
Scripture?
• Jude 7 highlights Sodom’s “unnatural lust”.
• Ma). 10:14–15 our Lord concentrates on Sodom’s
inhospitality: “And if anyone will not receive
you...truly, I say to you, it shall be more tolerable on
the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and
Gomorrah than for that town”
• Ma). 11:24 Jesus used Sodom as an example of the
righteous judgment of God, staIng to the inhabitants
of Capernaum, “it shall be more tolerable for the
land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you”

13. How are some Churches in North America
similar to Lot?
“The ‘seeker sensitivity’ of evangelicals—their practice
of suiting the gospel to the felt needs of people, primarily
the bourgeoisie—contributes to their numerical success
but can easily sow the seeds of worldliness (broadly
conceived). How so? Well, in a society such as ours
where people do not feel particularly guilty before God
(though in fact they are), seeker-sensitivity—if
consistently carried through—will soft-pedal the
preaching of salvation from sin, for such preaching would
not meet a felt need of people. As a result, the gospel
message of saving, sanctifying grace reduces to a gospel
massage of physical, psychological, and social well-being
that allows worldliness to flourish.”
Robert H. Gundry, “A Paleofundamentalist Manifesto for Contemporary Evangelicalism,”
Books & Culture, Vol. 7, No. 5, pp. 27, 28. (2001)

14. Why did Lot call the angels “my lords”?
2 And he said, “Here now, my lords, please turn in
to your servant’s house and spend the night and
wash your feet; then you may rise early and go
on your way.”
‫א‬ָ‫ד‬‫וֹ‬‫ן‬ (ʾā·ḏôn): master, lord, i.e., one who exercises
control or authority over another, or others (1Sa
20:38); lord, master, sir, i.e., the naming of a
superior to an inferior as a Ltle of respect (1Sa
1:26); husband (Jdg. 19:26, 27); owner, i.e., one
who is a possessor of goods, persons, or lands

15. Why did the angels reject Lot’s hospitable
invita:on (24:23, 54; Judges 18:2; 19:4-20)
to spend the night with him?
2b And they said, “No, but we will spend the night
in the open square.”
• Were the angels uncomfortable with the condi:on of Lot’s
accommoda:ons?
• Were the angels afraid of spending the night with Lot? Should
they be afraid?
• Were they fearful of the repercussions of staying with Lot?
• Were they intending on an overnight inspec:on of the city?

16. What is an “open square”?
2b And they said, “No, but we will spend the night
in the open square.”
Bonny in Krakow's main market square, 2005

17. Why did Lot “strongly” insist on his visitors
staying with him?
3a But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to
him and entered his house.
‫פּ‬ָ‫צ‬ַ‫ר‬ (pā·ṣǎr) = insist, persuade, urge
‫מ‬ְ‫א‬ֹ‫ד‬ (meʾōḏ) = very, so, greatly, u@erly,
i.e., pertaining to a
high point on a scale
of extent

18. Why did Lot “strongly” insist on his visitors
staying with him?
3a But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to
him and entered his house.
Leviticus 19:33–34 And if a stranger dwells with you in
your land, you shall not mistreat him. 34 The stranger who
dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you,
and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers
in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Job 31:32 (But no sojourner had to lodge in the street, for
I have opened my doors to the traveler);

19. Why is “unleavened bread” speciﬁcally
men9oned in the “feast” Lot prepared for
his angelic visitors?
3b Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened
bread, and they ate.
‫מ‬ִ‫שׁ‬ְ‫תּ‬ֶ‫ה‬ (miš·těh) – describes banquets given on
special occasions:
• the weaning of Isaac (21:8)
• weddings (29:22; Judg. 14:10)
• royal entertaining (40:20; 1 Kgs. 3:15)

20. Why is “unleavened bread” speciﬁcally
men9oned in the “feast” Lot prepared for
his angelic visitors?
3b Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened
bread, and they ate.
‫מ‬ַ‫צּ‬ָ‫ה‬ (mǎṣ·ṣāh) = flat bread,
unleavened cakes or wafers
• Abraham served ‫ל‬ֶ‫ח‬ֶ‫ם‬ (lě·ḥěm) loaf of grain bread (18:5)
• Mǎṣ·ṣāh used during Passover (Ex. 12:8, 15-20, 39)

4 Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the
men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people
from every quarter, surrounded the house. 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 know them carnally.” 6 So Lot went out to them
through the doorway, shut the door behind him, 7 and
said, “Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! 8
See now, I have two daughters who have not known a
man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you
may do to them as you wish;

21. How quickly were the angels discovered
by the ci:zens of Sodom?
4a Now before they lay down, the men of the city
. . . surrounded the house.
19:1 Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening…
Sunset over the Dead Sea

22. Who was included among the crowd that
“surrounded the house”?
4 Now before they lay down, the men of the city,
the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the
people from every quarter, surrounded the house.
Mayhem in
Paris
01 Dec. 2018

23. What did the crowd demand of Lot?
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 know them carnally.”
‫י‬ָ‫ד‬ַ‫ע‬ (yā·ḏǎʿ) = know, perceive,
sexual intimacy

24. What does the word “know” ( ‫י‬‫ד‬‫ע‬ yada)
mean? (5; 4:1, 17, 25; 24:16)
5b “Where are the men…that we may know them
carnally.”
Researchers discovered two male skeletons which are believed
to be 5,000-year old in the southern Jordan river valley.
hJps://www.ancient-origins.net/human-origins-science/sodom-gomorrah-scienNﬁc-evidence-00358

25. How is the prac1ce of homosexuality
viewed in the Bible? (18:20; Levi1cus
18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1
Corinthians 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 1:8-10; cf.
Judges 19:22-26; 2 Peter 2:6-8; Jude 7)

Genesis 18:20 And the LO RD said, “Because the
outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and
because their sin is very grave,”
Levi.cus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as
with a woman. It is an abominaCon.
Levi.cus 20:13 If a man lies with a male as he lies
with a woman, both of them have commiEed an
abominaCon. They shall surely be put to death.
Their blood shall be upon them.

Romans 1:26–27 For this reason God gave them
up to vile passions. For even their women
exchanged the natural use for what is against
nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the
natural use of the woman, burned in their lust
for one another, men with men committing what
is shameful, and receiving in themselves the
penalty of their error which was due.

1 Timothy 1:8–10 But we know that the law is
good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that
the law is not made for a righteous person, but
for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly
and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for
murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers,
for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites,
for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there
is any other thing that is contrary to sound
doctrine,

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 Do you not know that the
unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor
sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor extor@oners will
inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 Do you not know that the
unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?
Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor
idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor
sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor extor@oners will
inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were
some of you. But you were washed, but you were
sanc@ﬁed, but you were jus@ﬁed in the name of
the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

26. Some argue that the ci1zens of Sodom
simply wanted to “know” Lot’s visitors by
checking their creden1als. How would
you answer this argument?

27. Why did Lot shut the door behind him?
6 So Lot went out to them through the doorway,
shut the door behind him,

28. How did Lot respond to their demand?
7 and said, “Please, my brethren, do not do so
wickedly! 8 See now, I have two daughters who have
not known a man; please, let me bring them out to
you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do
nothing to these men, since this is the reason they
have come under the shadow of my roof.”

29. Why did Lot oﬀer his daughters to them,
saying they “have not known a man”?
8 See now, I have two daughters who have not
known a man; please, let me bring them
out to you, and you may do to them as you wish…
( ‫י‬‫ד‬‫ע‬ yada)
• Whatever his thought process was,
it was wrong and indefensible.
• 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived:
“Evil company corrupts good habits.”

8b only do nothing to these men, since this is the
reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.”
9 And they said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This
one came in to stay here, and he keeps acBng as a
judge; now we will deal worse with you than with
them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and
came near to break down the door. 10 But the men
reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house
with them, and shut the door. 11 And they struck the
men who were at the doorway of the house with
blindness, both small and great, so that they became
weary trying to ﬁnd the door.

30. Abraham had interceded for Lot and
prayed that God would spare Sodom if
there were ten “righteous” in the city.
(18:32-33) Given what you know of Lot
would you say he was a “righteous” man?
“If you equate God’s
judgment with your
judgment, you have
a wrong religion.”
Reinhold Niebuhr

31. What was Peter’s es/ma/on of Lot?
2 Peter 2:6–9 and turning the ci/es of Sodom and
Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to
destruc/on, making them an example to those who
aBerward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered
righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the ﬁlthy
conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man,
dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul
from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless
deeds)—9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the
godly out of tempta/ons and to reserve the unjust
under punishment for the day of judgment,

32. What contrasts does Peter make of the
men of Sodom to the character of Lot?
2 Peter 2:6–9 and turning the cities of Sodom and
Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to
destruction, making them an example to those who
afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered
righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy
conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man,
dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul
from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless
deeds)—9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the
godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust
under punishment for the day of judgment,

33. How do the men of Sodom respond to
Lot’s oﬀer of his daughters?
9 And they said, “Stand back!” Then they said,
“This one came in to stay here, and he keeps
acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you
than with them.” So they pressed hard against the
man Lot, and came near to break down the door.
Hebrews 1:14 Are they not all ministering
spirits sent forth to minister for those who
will inherit salvation?

34. Who saved Lot from his dangerous
situa6on? What was done?
10 But the men reached out their hands and pulled
Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. 11
And they struck the men who were at the doorway
of the house with blindness, both small and great,
so that they became weary trying to ﬁnd the door.

35. When were the Sodomites no longer a
threat to Lot?
11 And they struck the men who were at the doorway
of the house with blindness, both small and great, so
that they became weary trying to ﬁnd the door.

13 For we will destroy this place, because the outcry
against them has grown great before the face of the
LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.” 14 So Lot
went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had
married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of
this place; for the LORD will destroy this city!” But to his
sons-in-law he seemed to be joking. 15 When the
morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying,
“Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are
here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the
city.”

12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else
here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and
whomever you have in the city—take them out of this
place!

12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else
here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and
whomever you have in the city—take them out of this
place!
Lot & wife = 2
Son-in-law = 1
your sons = 2+
your daughters = 3

36. Why did they ask this ques1on? (13; cf.
18:32-33)
13 For we will destroy this place, because the outcry
against them has grown great before the face of
the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.”
Genesis 18:32 Then he (Abraham) said, “Let not
the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more:
Suppose ten should be found there?” And He said,
“I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.”

37. What did Lot say to his sons-in-law?
14a So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who
had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out
of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city!”

38. How did Lot’s sons-in-law respond? (14)
14b …But to his sons-in-law he seemed to be joking.
‫ִי‬‫צ‬ְ‫ח‬ָ‫ק‬ (yiṣḥāq) = “laugh”
Genesis 17:19 Then God said: “No, Sarah your
wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his
name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with
him for an everlasQng covenant, and with his
descendants aRer him.

39. What does their response infer about Lot’s
inﬂuence in his own family?

40. How does the salvation of Lot compare to
the salvation of Noah? (6:5-7:10; cf. Luke
17:24-37; 2 Peter 2:1-10; Jude 5-7)
• Luke 17:24-37 – the suddenness of the Lord’s
return.
• 2 Peter 2:1-10 – the certainty of judgment on
evildoers, and deliverance for the righteous.
• Jude 5-7 – also includes the judgment of Israel in
the wilderness.
• Divine self-reﬂecRon concerning coming
judgment in 18:17-21 mirrors 6:5-8.
H. Van Dyke Parunak (2007)

15 When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to
hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two
daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the
punishment of the city.” 16 And while he lingered, the
men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the
hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to
him, and they brought him out and set him outside the
city. 17 So it came to pass, when they had brought
them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do
not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain.
Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.”

41. What happened the next day at the crack
of dawn? Why the urgency?
15 When the morning dawned, the angels
urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your
wife and your two daughters who are here,
lest you be consumed in the punishment of
the city.”
“dawn” ( ‫שׁ‬ַ‫ח‬ַ‫ר‬ šǎ·ḥǎr) = lit. “as dawn rose”
“Arise” ( ‫ק‬‫וּ‬‫ם‬ qûm) = stand up
“consumed” ( ‫ס‬ָ‫פ‬ָ‫ה‬ sā·p̄āh) = destroy

42. How did Lot, his wife and two daughters
react to the angels’ urgings “to hurry”?
16a And while he lingered…
mā·hǎh, imperf.) = hesitate‫מ‬ָ‫ה‬ַ‫הּ‬“delayed” (ָ
2 Corinthians 6:2 For He says:
“In an acceptable time I have
heard you, And in the day of
salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the accepted
time; behold, now is the day of
salvation. (Cf. Isaiah 49:8)

43. What were the angels compelled to do to
Lot and his family?
16b …the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand,
and the hands of his two daughters, the LO RD
being merciful to him, and they brought him out
and set him outside the city.
‫ח‬ָ‫ז‬ַ‫ק‬ (ḥā·zǎq) = strong
grip, overpower

44. What mo*vated the angels?
16 And while he lingered, the men took hold of his
hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two
daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and
they brought him out and set him outside the city.
‫ח‬ֶ‫מ‬ְ‫ל‬ָ‫ה‬ (ḥěm·lāh) =
mercy, compassion,
spare from death

45. What warning was exclaimed by one of
the angels as they ﬂed from Sodom?
17 So it came to pass, when they had brought them
outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not
look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain.
‫מ‬ָ‫ל‬ַ‫ט‬ (mā·lǎṭ) = save,
deliver, rescue

45b. What warning was exclaimed by one of
the angels as they ﬂed from Sodom?
‫נ‬ָ‫ב‬ַ‫ט‬ (nā·ḇǎṭ) = observe, gaze,
regard with respect

18 Then Lot said to them, “Please, no, my lords! 19
Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight,
and you have increased your mercy which you have
shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the
mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. 20 See
now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little
one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?)
and my soul shall live.”

46. What two errors were made by Lot in his
response to this angelic warning?
18 Then Lot said to them, “Please, no, my lords!
1. Superﬁciality. “Lord” ( ‫א‬ֲ‫ד‬ֹ‫נ‬ָ‫י‬ ʾǎḏō·nāy) = “sovereign Lord”
(cp.18:22-33; 19:13). He is not paying aPenQon.
2. Rebellion. Given that he does think he is talking with
the Lord, his statement is incongruous:

47. What two errors were made by Lot in his
response to this angelic warning?
Ma#hew 16:22 Then Peter took Him aside and
began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You,
Lord; this shall not happen to You!”
Acts 10:14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I
have never eaten anything common or unclean.”

48. What three acknowledgments does Lot
make? Which one is incongruent? What
does Lot lack?
19 Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your
sight, and you have increased your mercy which you
have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape
to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die.
“found favor” ( ‫מ‬ָ‫צ‬ָ‫א‬ ‫ח‬ֵ‫ן‬ mā·ṣāʾ ḥēn) = found,
discovered, attained; favor, grace
Genesis 18:3“My Lord, if I (Abraham) have now found
favor in Your sight…
Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

does Lot lack?
“saving my life” ( ‫נ‬ֶ‫פ‬ֶ‫שׁ‬ ‫ח‬ָ‫י‬ָ‫ה‬ ně·p̄ ěš ḥā·yāh) = keep
alive; inner self, soul

does Lot lack?
“cannot escape” ( ‫מ‬ָ‫ל‬ַ‫ט‬ ‫י‬ָ‫כ‬ֹ‫ל‬ yā·ḵōl mā·lǎṭ) = not able,
lack capacity; save, deliver, flee
• Lot limits his choices
• Lot limits God’s ability

51. What alterna-ve does Lot oﬀer instead of
simply obeying God? Why?
20 See now, this city is near enough to ﬂee to, and it
is a liDle one; please let me escape there (is it not a
liDle one?) and my soul shall live.”
“Out of his own mouth, Lot proves himself to be fearful,
selfish, and faithless.”
Wenham, G. J. (1998). Genesis 16–50 (Vol. 2, p. 58). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.
“a little one” ( ‫מ‬ִ‫צ‬ְ‫ﬠ‬ָ‫ר‬ miṣ·ʿār) = small, diminutive in
size, unpretentious, lack of hubris

21 And he said to him, “See, I have favored you
concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow
this city for which you have spoken. 22 Hurry, escape
there. For I cannot do anything until you arrive there.”
Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. 23 The
sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar. 24
Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and
Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. 25 So He
overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants
of the cities, and what grew on the ground. 26 But his
wife looked back behind him, and she became a pillar
of salt.

52. What was God’s response to Lot’s option?
21 And he said to him, “See, I have favored you
concerning this thing also, in that I will not
overthrow this city for which you have spoken.
Divine grace is the
ulFmate basis of
salvaFon, not human
righteousness.

53. What does Zoar mean?
22 Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything
un=l you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the
city was called Zoar.
Zoar ‫צ‬‫ע‬‫ר‬ = “to be small,” can also mean “young”
Genesis 14:8 indicates
that Zoar’s earlier name
was Bela

54. What does Zoar mean?
22 Hurry, escape there. For I cannot do anything
until you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the
city was called Zoar.
Derek Kidner: “Not even brimstone will make
a pilgrim of him: he must have his little Sodom
again if life is to be supportable.” We might
think, Come on, God, strike this simpering,
whimpering, wheedling weasel dead!
Kidner, Genesis: An Introduc0on and Commentary, p. 135.

55. What 2 events simultaneously occurred
when Lot entered the city of Zoar?
23 The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot
entered Zoar. 24 Then the LO RD rained brimstone
and ﬁre on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LO RD
out of the heavens.
1. The sun rose
2. Lot was safe
Isaiah 9:2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the
land of the shadow of death, upon them a light
has shined.

56. Who was responsible for judging Sodom?
24 Then the LO RD rained brimstone and ﬁre on
Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LO RD out of the
heavens.
John 5:22 For the Father judges
no one, but has committed all
judgment to the Son,
Sulfur melts at 233.6o
Fahrenheit & boils at 831.2o
Valley of Siddim (Gen. 13:10; 14:3)

57. Why was Gomorrah paired with Sodom in
judgment?
24 Then the LO RD rained brimstone and ﬁre on
Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LO RD out of the
heavens.
• Proximity of locaJon
• Similarity of sin
• Notoriety of wealth & inﬂuence

https://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2008/04/16/The-Discovery-of-the-
Sin-Cities-of-Sodom-and-Gomorrah.aspx#Article
Evidence at the Bab edh-Dhra Cemetery
“We have detailed the evidence that both town sites
were destroyed by an overwhelming conflagration.
Additional evidence from the cemetery at Bab edh-
Dhra demonstrates that the destruction included
areas outside the towns, thus involving ‘the entire
plain’ (Gen. 19:25) and that it "came out of the
heavens" (Gen. 19:24).”

Excavation area at Numeira (1977)
Textiles, string, rope, seeds, and even a cluster of
grapes survived amazingly well. Every room was
filled with ash and burned debris from the dreadful
holocaust that overtook the city.

h"ps://www.lifesitenews.com/news/archeologists-sodom-and-gomorrah-literally-
destroyed-by-ﬁre-and-brimstone
Archeologists: Sodom and Gomorrah
literally destroyed by ﬁre and brimstone falling from the sky

58. What is brimstone?
24 Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom
and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens.
Psalm 11:6 Upon the wicked He will rain coals;
fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be
the porJon of their cup.
Ezekiel 38:22 And I will bring him to judgment
with pesJlence and bloodshed; I will rain down
on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples
who are with him, flooding rain, great
hailstones, fire, and brimstone.

59. How extensive was God’s judgment?
25 So He overthrew those ci=es, all the plain, all the
inhabitants of the ci=es, and what grew on the ground.
29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the ci=es
of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent
Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He
overthrew the ci=es in which Lot had dwelt.
“overthrew” ( ‫ה‬‫פ‬‫ך‬ ) = made desolate, totally
destroyed, decimated

60. What warning did Lot’s wife violate that
cost her life?
26 But his wife looked back behind him, and she
became a pillar of salt.

61. Do you think God’s judgment of Lot’s wife
harsh? Explain.

62. What warning did Christ give his disciples
regarding Lot’s wife? (Luke 17:31-32)
What was the context for His warning?
Luke 17:31–32 “In that day, he who is on the
housetop, and his goods are in the house, let
him not come down to take them away. And
likewise the one who is in the ﬁeld, let him not
turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife.

“If the severity of the punishment terrifies us;
let us remember, that they sin, in these days
not less grievously, who, being delivered, not
from Sodom, but from hell, fix their eyes on
some other object than the proposed prize of
their high calling.”
John Calvin

Colossians 3:1–4 If then you were raised with
Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, si8ng at the right hand of God.
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things
on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is
hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is
our life appears, then you also will appear with
Him in glory.

27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the place
where he had stood before the LO RD. 28 Then he
looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all
the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the
smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a
furnace. 29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed
the ciFes of the plain, that God remembered Abraham,
and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when
He overthrew the ciFes in which Lot had dwelt.

63. What was Abraham doing on the morning
God judged Sodom and Gomorrah?
27 And Abraham went early in the morning to the
place where he had stood before the LO RD. 28
Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and
toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and
behold, the smoke of the land which went up like
the smoke of a furnace.

64. What did God remember on this Judgment
Day?
29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the ci@es
of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and
sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He
overthrew the ci@es in which Lot had dwelt.
• God remembered Noah (Gen. 8:1)
• God remembered Rachel (Gen. 30:22)
• God remembered His Covenant with Abraham (Ex. 2:24)
• God remembered Hannah (1 Sam. 1:19)

4 Remember me, O LO R D , with
the favor You have toward Your
people. Oh, visit me with Your
salvation, 5 that I may see the
benefit of Your chosen ones, that
I may rejoice in the gladness of
Your nation, that I may glory
with Your inheritance.
Psalm 106:4-5

65. Was Lot spared because of Abraham’s
Prayers or because of Lot’s righteousness?
29 …God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out...
Luke 5:20 When He saw their faith, He said to him,
“Man, your sins are forgiven you.” (cf. 17-26; Mark
2:1-12)

30 Then Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the
mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for
he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his two
daughters dwelt in a cave. 31 Now the ﬁrstborn said to
the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man on
the earth to come in to us as is the custom of all the
earth. 32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and
we will lie with him, that we may preserve the lineage
of our father.”

66. Why did Lot leave Zoar?
mountains, and his two daughters were with him;
for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his
two daughters dwelt in a cave.
• Fear had driven Lot to Zoar (19ff.)
to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I
die. 20 See now, this city is near enough to ﬂee to,
and it is a liJle one; please let me escape there (is it
not a liJle one?) and my soul shall live.”

67. Why did Lot leave Zoar?
• Fear drove Lot to Zoar.
• Fear blindly drove him
out again.

• Saved from a Flood
• “God remembered
Noah”
• Noah became drunk
• Ham discovered his
father’s nakedness
• Curse of Canaan
• Saved from Fire
• “God remembered
Abraham”
• Lot became drunk
• Daughters expose their
father’s nakedness
• Blessing through Moab

68. Where did Lot go a0er he ﬂed from Zoar?
17 …Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.”
19 …I cannot escape to the mountains...

69. How were caves used in the Bible?
• As the burying place of Sarah and the patriarchs,
(Gen. 23:9ff)
• Where the kings of the south hid at Joshua’s
invasion, and where they were buried (Josh.
10:16ff)
• As a place of refuge for David in fleeing from Saul
(1 Sam. 22:1)
• As a latrine (1 Sam. 24:3)
• Where Obadiah hid the prophets of the Lord in the
days of Jezebel (1 Kings 18:4)
• Where Elijah took refuge aXer fleeing from Jezebel
(1 Kings 19:9)
• As the tomb of Lazarus (John 11:38)

70. Why didn’t he return to Abraham?
“Caves are places of corrup>on and
oppression, tombs and latrines, where only
a desperate refugee would think of residing.
Lot was once a wealthy nomad with ﬂocks
so numerous he could not coexist with
Abraham. Now he is reduced to living as a
fugi>ve. If Zoar were too corrupt for him, he
could have returned to Abraham, but his
pride is too great.”

71. What mo+vated Lot’s daughters to be
impregnated by their father?
31 Now the ﬁrstborn said to the younger, “Our
father is old, and there is no man on the earth to
come in to us as is the custom of all the earth.
‫א‬ֶ‫ר‬ֶ‫ץ‬ (ʾě·rěṣ) = surface of the earth,
territory, area
‫בּ‬‫וֹ‬‫א‬ (bôʾ) = penetrate, intercourse
“earth”
“come in”

72. What method did Lot’s daughters use to
accomplish their scheme?
32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie
with him, that we may preserve the lineage of 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 It
happened on the next day that the ﬁrstborn said to the
younger, “Indeed I lay with my father last night; let us
make him drink wine tonight also, and you go in and lie
with him, that we may preserve the lineage of our father.”
35 Then 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.

73. What was the ethical, moral attitude of
incest in the ancient world?
Levi%cus 20:11–13 The man who lies with his
father’s wife has uncovered his father’s nakedness;
both of them shall surely be put to death. Their
blood shall be upon them. 12 If a man lies with his
daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put
to death. They have commiEed perversion. Their
blood shall be upon them. 13 If a man lies with a
male as he lies with a woman, both of them have
commiEed an abominaFon. They shall surely be
put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

73. What was the ethical, moral attitude of
Ezekiel 22:10–11 In you men uncover their
fathers’ nakedness; in you they violate women
who are set apart during their impurity. 11 One
commits abominaCon with his neighbor’s
wife; another lewdly deﬁles his daughter-in-
law; and another in you violates his sister, his
father’s daughter.

73. What was the ethical, moral a3tude of
• Code of Hammurabi forbade incest.
[154] If a man be guilty of incest with his daughter, he shall be
driven from the place (exiled).
[155] If a man betroth a girl to his son, and his son have intercourse
with her, but he (the father) afterward deﬁle her, and be surprised,
then he shall be bound and cast into the water (drowned).
[156] If a man betroth a girl to his son, but his son has not known
her, and if then he deﬁle her, he shall pay her half a gold mina, and
compensate her for all that she brought out of her father's house. She
may marry the man of her heart.
[157] If any one be guilty of incest with his mother after his father,
both shall be burned.
[158] If any one be surprised after his father with his chief wife, who
has borne children, he shall be driven out of his father's house.

73. What was the ethical, moral a3tude of
• Hittite laws forbade incest, punishing it either
by death or banishment and, later, by paying
a fine and sending an animal out of the town
bearing the guilt on the analogy of Israel’s
scapegoat.
Harry A. Hoffner, ed., “Incest, Sodomy and Bestiality in
the Ancient Near East,” Orient and Occident, (Kevelaer:
Verlag Butzon & Bereker Kevelaer, 1973), pp. 81–90.

“In many countries, sex (a3er marriage) between ﬁrst
cousins is permi:ed, but not between any closer
rela=onship. In some countries, sex between adopted
siblings or, more rarely, between an adopted child and
the adop=ng parent is not criminal.”
John Burgess, Former US Foreign
Service Officer, Aug. 18, 2012
Where in the World is Incest Permissible?
“I'm aware of no country that permits sex between
immediate, blood rela=ons, i.e. between siblings or
parent-child.”

h"ps://listverse.com/2014/05/22/10-incendiary-facts-about-incest/
Even Plants Avoid Incest
Most living things beneﬁt from gene2c diversity when
breeding, including plants, which have developed their
own mechanisms to prevent self-pollina2on.

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 And the younger, she also bore a son and called
his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of
Ammon to this day.

74. What names were given to the sons born
from Lot’s incest?
37 The ﬁrstborn bore a son and called his name
Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day.
38 And the younger, she also bore a son and called
his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people
of Ammon to this day.
• Moab = “from the father”
• Ben-Ammi = “son of my people”

75. Who were their descendants?
37 The ﬁrstborn bore a son
and called his name Moab;
he is the father of the
Moabites to this day. 38
And the younger, she also
bore a son and called his
name Ben-Ammi; he is the
father of the people of
Ammon to this day.

76. What thought most convicted or challenged
you in the study of this chapter?

77. What lessons of intercessory prayer did
you learn from the study?

78. What insights about God’s judgment and
mercy did you learn from this study?

79. What observations about evangelism and
discipleship did you learn from the study?

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941-981-5387
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Deliverance & Judgment at Sodom - Genesis 19:1-38

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Deliverance & Judgment at Sodom - Genesis 19:1-38