Chapter Summary Genesis 18 - 19
Three angels are shown hospitality by Abraham (18:1-8). They confirm God’s promise that Sarah will have a son, though Sarah laughs (vv. 9-15). Leaving, one angel tells Abraham the Lord is about to destroy wicked Sodom and Gomorrah (vv. 16-21). In one of the Old Testament’s great intercessory prayers, Abraham begs God to spare any righteous in these cities (vv. 22-33). The scene shifts to Sodom. There two angels are welcomed by Lot, whose house is soon surrounded by a mob intent on homosexual rape (19:1-5). Nothing Lot says dissuades them, and Lot himself is saved only by divine intervention (vv. 6-11). Lot flees the city (vv. 12-22), which is destroyed as soon as he is safe (vv. 23-29). Lot and two daughters survive, but are reduced to living in a cave. There the girls make Lot drunk to become pregnant by their father (vv. 30-38).
KEY VERSE 18:23:
PRAYER IS AN APPEAL TO GOD’S CHARACTER.
PERSONAL APPLICATION:
ALWAYS EXPECT GOD TO DO THE GOOD AND RIGHT THING, EVEN WHEN JUDGMENT IS MOST SEVERE.
HOSPITALITY.
In lands without motels or hotels travelers were dependent on hospitality. It was considered a good deed in biblical times to feed and house strangers. The lengths to which a host would go to serve and protect such guests is shown in Gen. 24:15-31 and 19:1-8. Rom. 12:13 says, “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Abraham’s visitors were welcomed with food, probably spread on a tanned hide “table.” Hospitality had high priority through O.T. times.
ANGEL OF THE LORD.
This phrase is thought by many to indicate an appearance of God Himself in human form. Note that the text indicates that when this angel spoke, “the Lord said” (Gen. 18:17, 20), and that Abraham is speaking to God as he begs for the lives of any innocent in Sodom (v. 27) (22:11-12).
“I HAVE CHOSEN HIM”(18:19).
Here is a verse worth memorizing. We have been chosen to direct our children into God’s ways!
ABRAHAM’S PRAYER (18:20-33).
Abraham shows a sensitive concern for the innocent. He begs God to spare the wicked cities of the plain for 50, then 45, and finally even 10 righteous. God was even more sensitive than Abraham. Only one righteous person lived in Sodom—Lot—and God withheld the fires of judgment until that one was safe! What confidence this gives us as we pray for others. God cares for them even more than we do, and will do even more for them than we ask.
SODOM AND GOMORRAH.
Many believe that these “cities of the plain” lie beneath the southern end of the Dead Sea. The area had great deposits of highly flammable bitumen. This and a geologically unstable land mass were doubtless agencies God used to cause the fiery holocaust of Gen. 19.
HOMOSEXUALITY.
Every biblical reference to homosexuality indicates it is not an “alternate lifestyle,” but gross sin. Lev. 18:22-23 forbids homosexual acts and calls them “detestable.” Rom. 1:24-27 speaks of homosexual desire as “shameful lusts” and calls homosexual acts “indecent,” a “perversion,” and “the degrading of their bodies.” The Christian must take a stand with God’s Word, to reject homosexuality as a personal option and boldly identify it as wickedness and sin.
LOT.
Lot’s experience stands as a warning to all. He chose to live in the valley because of the material advantages it provided (Gen. 13:10-11). At first he pitched a tent outside the city (v. 12). This chapter tells us he had moved into the city (19:3). 2 Peter 2:7-8 tells us Lot was a “righteous man,” who was “distressed by the filthy lives” of Sodom’s citizens. But even so Lot preferred to stay there and make a profit than to leave, and thus take a stand against evil. Lot’s willingness to compromise his convictions robbed him of influence with the men of Sodom (Gen. 19:6-9). His lack of integrity is also revealed in his daughters’ incestuous plan following the destruction of the city. And what did Lot gain by compromising his convictions? The wealth and ease for which he sold them out? Not at all. Our last glimpse of Lot shows him destitute and drunk, lying senseless in a mountain cave.