Genesis 19:15-29

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

Printed Version

BACKGROUND NOTES

DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

He who hesitates is lost.

The prayers of a committed believer are effective.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Let’s not flirt with the world.

QUESTIONS

Was the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah a natural catastrophe?

What happened to Lot’s wife? Why?

Recall the old saying, “He who hesitates is lost,” and think about the following questions. a. How does this apply to this biblical account? b. How does this truth apply to a non-believer? c. How does this truth apply to believers?

What saved Lot from the punishment applied to Sodom?

ANSWERS

It could have been, but in any case, it was precisely timed by God. There are a number of miracles in the Bible that are of this kind - natural events, but precisely timed by God Himself.

She was turned into a pillar of salt because, in direct disobedience to the Lord’s command, she looked back and lingered.

a) Lot’s wife hesitated, disobeyed God’s commands, and her life was taken b)Salvation is freely offered to all who will receive Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. The Bible teaches that in order to avoid the judgment of God upon sin, one must repent of his sin and turn to Christ for salvation before it’s too late. See John 14:6, John 3:36, Acts 4:12, and Hebrews 9:27 c) Lot was a believer and escaped the judgment, but he lost just about everything. He invested all his time, energy and material possessions in Sodom. It all went up in smoke. Lot had an opportunity to get out of Sodom when he was rescued by Abram, but he went back because his attachments were so strong. Even when he escaped, he hesitated to go to the mountains as directed. Lot’s attachments to the things of this world should be a lesson to believers to hold loosely to the things of this world.

“God remembered Abraham...” (Genesis 19:29). The Lord was merciful to Lot because of the intercessory prayers of Abraham.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

Lot’s wife became a monument to disobedience. Will your life be a monument to obedience or disobedience? See Luke 17:32. Lot’s wife is a biblical illustration of, “He who hesitates is lost.” She hesitated, lingered, looked back, and was lost in the judgment. The judgment of God against sin is sure and can come suddenly. How does this concern you?

Abraham’s prayers were effective. How effective are your prayers? See James 5:16b.

CHALLENGE

Sodom and the cities of the plain are a picture of the world under judgment. Even after Lot had escaped out of Sodom, he wanted to move into another city in the plain, little Zoar. He wanted to continue to have one foot in this world. Are you such a Christian? Not in Sodom, but in Zoar; not 100% worldly, but not a fully committed Christian? Note Jesus’ prayer to the Father in John 17. See also 1 John 2:15-17.

KEY VERSES

“Escape for your life! ...lest you be destroyed.” Genesis 19:17

“This city is near...it is a little one...” Genesis 19:20

“The Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah.” Genesis 19:24

“Lot’s wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt.” Genesis 19:26

“...God remembered Abraham.” Genesis 19:29