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Sermon on Sodom and Gomorrah | Studies in Genesis

Sermon on Sodom and Gomorrah

Date written: April 15th, 2007
Scripture ref: Genesis 18:16-20

SUBJECT: Passage Study

TITLE: Studies in Genesis – Sodom and Gomorrah

PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will look at and study the events that lead to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, most notably the following 1) A Revelation 2) A Negotiation, 3) A Confrontation, 4) A Destruction.

OBJECTIVE: To become more familiar, on an adult level, with the material found in Genesis and in this lesson specifically, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Read: Genesis 18:16-20

2. About the Text:

1) The LORD, Yahweh, had appeared to Abraham at his home with two messengers/angels.

2) Abraham was quick to offer his hospitality to them.

3) He announced to Abraham and Sarah that they were to have a son at the appointed time.

4) At the time of their departure, Abraham went with them along the way to keep the company for a time.

5) It was then told Abraham that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were to be destroyed.

3. About Sodom and Gomorrah

1) These ancient cities were perhaps located in the valley that we now know as the Dead Sea.

2) This area was once green, vibrant, and beautiful.

3) Genesis 13:10 says, “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.”

4) However, the cities had a major problem with morality.

5) Let’s consider what we find in Genesis 18-19 regarding these cities.

4. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

DISCUSSION: We see in Genesis 18-19…

I.   A Revelation (Genesis 18:16-22).

1. The relationship.

1) God had a great relationship with Abraham.

2) Abraham was called the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8, James 2:23).

3) God loved Abraham and had greatly blessed him with the promise of becoming a great nation (Verse 188).

4) God also knew that Abraham would be faithful to His word (Verse 19).

5) So God wanted to reveal to Abraham the future of Sodom and Gomorrah.

2. The reputation.

1) The evil of Sodom and Gomorrah was widely known.

2) Genesis 13:13 says, “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.”

3) Here God says that the evil of Sodom and Gomorrah was grievous or infamous (Hebrew).

4) God’s plan was then to go down to the city and see the truth.

3. We learn some lessons regarding reputation.

1) Are we famous or infamous?

2) Proverbs 22:1 “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

3) It is good to have a good reputation, let us note, however, just a little foolishness can ruin it.

4) Ecclesiastes 10:1 “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.”

5) God knew of Sodom and Gomorrah’s reputation.

6) What would He think of ours?

II.  A Negotiation (Genesis 18:23-33)

1. Abraham sought to have the cities spared.

1) Abraham also knew the reputation and character of Sodom and Gomorrah.

2) He also knew that this is where Lot lived.

3) Perhaps he had heard this from Lot’s mouth directly.

4) Abraham wanted Lot to be spared from this destruction.

5) So he initiated a negotiation with the Lord.

2. What about the righteous among the wicked?

1) Abraham knew God wouldn’t destroy the righteous with the wicked (Genesis 18:23-25).

2) So Abraham asked if the city would be spared for 50 righteous folk. The Lord agreed.

3) 45, 40, 30, 20 and 10 were all considered and each time the Lord agreed not to destroy the city if that number could be found.

3. We learn that God will always do what is right.

1) “Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?”

2) Psalm 98:9b says, “? with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.”

3) We also learn He is the judge.

4) 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”

III. A Confrontation (Genesis 19:1-11)

1. The angels of the Lord meet Lot.

1) They were met by Lot who sat at the gates of the city.

2) He greeted them with hospitality and fed them and offered them shelter.

3) He baked unleavened bread for them. This is bread baked in haste.

4) This would have significance for the children of Israel as Moses told them this story.

2. The angels of the Lord meet the men of Sodom.

1) The text says the men, both young, old, and from every quarter came to Lot’s house.

2) They desired to sodomize these men in gang type fashion.

3) Lot told them not to do such wickedness.

4) Lot offered them his own daughters to do with them as the men pleased (verse 8).

5) He seems to have already known what their response to this would be.

6) They accused Lot of inappropriately judging them (verse 9)

7) They began to press down upon Lot to the point that the door of the house was about to break.

8) So, the angels opened the door and pulled Lot inside.

9) The angels then struck these wicked men with blindness to disperse them.

3. What a contrast between the righteous and the wicked.

1) The righteous seek to give; the wicked seek to take.

2) The righteous seek to build up; the wicked seek to destroy.

3) The righteous seek to protect; the wicked seek to attack.

4) The righteous seek to do good; the wicked desire only wickedness.

5) The righteous judge correctly; the wicked condemn all judgment.

4. Judgment between right and wrong often implies condemnation for the wicked.

1) Jesus said that His words would do such judging. John 12:48.

2) Proverbs 15:10 “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.”

3) Lot made a judgment and he was condemned by the wicked for it.

5. What about the sin of homosexuality?

1) Leviticus 18:22 “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”

2) Romans 1:26-27 “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.”

3) 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”

4) God’s standards of moral behavior haven’t changed since then.

IV.  A Destruction (Genesis 19:12-29)

1. The pronouncement of the angels.

1) They told Lot to gather his family and leave because the city was going to be destroyed.

2) This was because of their wickedness.

2. Lot left the city.

1) When Lot spoke to his sons-in-law, they thought he was making a joke.

2) They, evidently, didn?t leave.

3) When the morning came, the angels once again exhorted Lot to leave.

4) They finally had to lay hands on him to get him and his family out.

5) The text says that in doing this, the Lord was being merciful to them.

6) They set him outside the city and told them to flee to the mountains and not to go back.

7) Lot asked to escape to Zoar (Small City) instead.

3. The city destroyed.

1) In verses 24-25 the destruction is described as being by fire and brimstone.

2) In verse 26 we see that Lot’s wife looked back and was changed into a pillar of salt.

3) Verses 27-29 record Abraham’s perspective of the destruction.

4) Verse 29 says that God remembered Abraham by sparing Lot.

4. We learn some great lessons from this…

1) “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32).

2) God expects us not to delay when seeking to escape destruction (Acts 16:33; Acts 22:16).

3) God’s mercy is not necessarily equivalent to our comfort.

4) God remembers the faithful (Malachi 3:16 “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.”).

5. Postscript

1) We see from Lot’s daughter’s actions that the nations of Moab and Ammon came forth.

2) These nations were Israel’s constant concern as they neighbored their territory.

CONCLUSION:

1. Let us remember the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

1) The Revelation

2) The Negotiation

3) The Confrontation

4) The Destruction

2. Invitation