Lesson: Sodom and Gomorrah
Main Text: Genesis 19:23-29
Memory Verse: I Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) “No temptation has overtaken you
that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted
beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of
escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1. Lot’s Progression Of Compromise
a. Looked toward Sodom (Genesis 13:10)
b. Pitched his tent toward Sodom (Genesis 13:12)
c. Lived in Sodom (Genesis 14:12)
d. A City Leader in Sodom (Genesis 19:1)
Next Week: Questionable Situations: Alcohol, Lying, “Rights”
Main Text: Genesis 19:30-38, 20:1-18
Memory Verse: Memory # 7: II Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV) “All Scripture is
breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and
for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for
every good work.”
Monday: Genesis 19:30-38
Observation: What does it say? Interpretation: What does it mean? Application: What does it require of me?
Tuesday: Genesis 20:1-18
Observation: What does it say? Interpretation: What does it mean? Application: What does it require of me?
2. Lot himself was a righteous man who was grieved by the sin he
saw around him (2 Peter 2:7-8)
3. Compromise Destroys Testimony
a. Because of his compromising attitude towards sin few of his
family and none of his friends were saved.
b. Lot’s “buddy-buddy” approach compromised his opportunity
to reach others. They had no respect for him whatsoever,
even though he called the wicked men his brethren.
c. When he spoke with utmost seriousness to his sons-in-law
about the judgment of God, they did not believe him.
4. It is possible to have a saved soul yet a wasted life.
a. 1 Corinthians 3:15
Wednesday: Genesis 21:1-7
Observation: What does it say? Interpretation: What does it mean? Application: What does it require of me?
Thursday: Genesis 21:8-21
Observation: What does it say? Interpretation: What does it mean? Application: What does it require of me?
Friday: Genesis 21:22-34
Observation: What does it say? Interpretation: What does it mean? Application: What does it require of me?
5. Contrast Between Abraham and Lot’s Prayers:
a. Lot seems pathetic and whimpering in his prayer. Notice the
sad contrast to the bold intercession of Abraham.
Saturday: 1 Peter 3:8-17
6. In What Ways Did Lot Fail?
a. Psalm 1:1
b. Luke 17:28-35
Observation: What does it say? Interpretation: What does it mean? Application: What does it require of me?
Sunday: Proverbs 23:29-35
Observation: What does it say? Interpretation: What does it mean? Application: What does it require of me?
Compromise: There has been a steady progression of compromise in Lot’s life. He went from looking
toward Sodom (Genesis 13:10), to pitching his tent toward Sodom (Genesis 13:12), then to living in
Sodom (Genesis 14:12) and losing everything. Now Lot sits in the gate of Sodom, indicating he is a civic
leader.
Compromise destroyed his testimony: Lot himself was a righteous man who was grieved by the sin he
saw around him (2 Peter 2:7-8), but because of his compromise few of his family and none of his friends
were saved. Compromise destroyed his testimony.
Perhaps Lot thought that through compromise he might reach these men, but just the opposite has
happened. They have no respect for him whatsoever, even though his “buddy-buddy” approach leads him
to call such wicked men my brethren.
He seemed to be joking: The effect of Lot’s life of compromise is clearly seen. When he spoke with utmost
seriousness to his sons-in-law about the judgment of God, they did not believe him. Not even they will be
saved from the judgment to come.
The life of Lot shows us that it is possible to have a saved soul and a wasted life. Lot will be saved, but his
life will accomplish nothing, as in 1 Corinthians 3:15: If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but
he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
While he lingered: Too much of Lot’s heart was in Sodom, so he was not anxious to leave the city. This
lack of urgency to do the things of God is a common sign of compromise and a backslidden condition.
Contrast Between Abraham and Lot’s Prayers: Please, no, my lords! Lot seems pathetic and
whimpering in his prayer. Notice the sad contrast to the bold intercession of Abraham.
I cannot do anything until you arrive there: This answers the question, Shall not the Judge of all the earth
do right? (Genesis 18:25). God, bound by His own righteousness and honor, could not bring this judgment
on Sodom until the righteous people were delivered.
Before this destruction the area of Sodom was unbelievably beautiful and productive, like the garden of
the Lord (Genesis 13:10). Yet, this great privilege and blessing did not turn their hearts toward God.
Lot’s wife was turned to a pillar of salt because she looked back behind, after the angels had specifically
said Do not look behind you (Genesis 19:17). Some think she lingered behind and was caught up in the
cataclysm somehow, but it was probably a unique judgment of God on her for the state of her heart (a
love for Sodom and regret for its destruction) shown by her action of looking back.
There is a danger in pitching your tent towards the world. It is interesting, "Blessed is the man who walks
not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful"
(Psalm 1:1). There's a progression there. First of all, you're listening to the counsel of the ungodly. Next of
all, you're standing around with them and the next thing you find yourself sitting in their company. Lot
moved toward Sodom. Next he was living in Sodom. But it had its effect upon his own life and upon his
own moral values, the offering of his daughters to this crowd of men.
Now this destruction could have been by volcanic action. Very possible because there is evidence of
volcanic eruptions in that area, a lot of evidence of that. There, of course, are tremendous salt deposits in
that area. I mentioned this morning there is a—on the southern end of the west of the Dead Sea there on
the western side, there is a mountain of salt that is five hundred feet; no, beg your pardon, it's seven
hundred feet high and five miles long. A mountain of salt; it isn't sodium chloride, your table salt. It's
more of the potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, vast deposits of salt. Mountains of salt in that area that
cannot be explained by slow sedimentation. But have to be explained by deposits through eruptions of
some kind; a great overthrowing.
Now potassium nitrate is a particular salt if mixed with potassium permanganate. All you need is just a
little glycerin poured upon it and you've got fire and brimstone. You got a Fourth of July display. You've
got fire shooting and spouting and all it needs is just a little glycerin upon it to really set the whole thing
off. The heavy water will respond upon the potassium permanganate and the potassium nitrates will
keep the thing really going and sputtering and sparking. And it's like a flare, it sputters and all. But all of
the potassium nitrate in the area, potassium permanganate in the area, and of course, the area did have
great asphalt deposits.
Now again, turning to the New Testament Jesus takes this incident and declares of His second coming, "As
it was in the days of Lot, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of man" (Luke 17:28,30), when God
overthrew the cities of the plain. And then Jesus said "Remember Lot's wife. For he who will seek to save
his life shall lose it" (Luke 17:32,33). Now she was seeking to hold on to the old life of the world. She was
turning back to the old life of the world, seeking to save it she lost her life.
And so the warning of Jesus, "Remember Lot's wife." turning back to the world, seeking to save the old life
of the world will only destroy you. "But he who will lose his life", Jesus said, "the same will save it. Lose
his life for my sake". And so the reference of Jesus. Peter again refers to this and it is also referred to in
the book of Jude, how that God destroyed the city of Sodom and Gomorrah, them suffering the vengeance
of everlasting fire.