Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

Genesis 19 ESV

The intercession of Abraham in this chapter is classical. The passion of Abraham and the apparent failure of his prayer ("For the sake of ten I will not destroy it) certainly are lessons well worth learning for every believer. But there are other lessons in Genesis 19 that are equally worth a Christian’s attention. Following are five of those lessons.

A. Genesis 19:4

4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house.

This is the explanation of the failure of Abraham’s intercession, “All the people to the last man.” The only righteous man in Sodom was Lot.

The conclusion and the lesson to be noted, “Deliverance comes only by grace.”

B. Genesis 19:11

1 And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door.

This is one of the most fearful statements in all the Scriptures. These men, drawn by their corrupt and evil desires, took no note of, nor warning from, an immediate stroke of blindness, but expended all their energy trying to find a way to satisfy their lust.

The lesson: “Spiritual degeneration is universal and only removed by grace”.

C. Genesis 19:14

14 So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, "Up! Get out of this place, for the LORD is about to destroy the city." But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.

Lot, with a true concern resulting from the angels’ warning, went out to warn others of the necessity of departing that wicked city. Upon hearing Lot, the men to whom he spoke thought he was joking with them. Lot’s piety, though real, was so shallow his testimony had always been a subject of jesting in his family. This was thought to be no different. He got no hearing.

Lesson: “The believer who fails to live his faith is without a witness to those who know him.

D. Genesis 19:20-21; 33; 35

20 Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!"

21 He said to him, "Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken.

33 So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father. He did not know when she lay down or when she arose.

35 So 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.

Lot was leaving Sodom. He believed the city of Sodom was doomed. But Lot’s soft life and the lack of commitment in which he lived his faith could not accept the prospect of hardships. He sought an easier way. And he got what he asked for. But it neither satisfied him nor was it an aid to his spiritual walk.

The question that is so demanding is “Where, if not in Zoar, did Lot get the wine?”

E. Genesis 19:37-38

37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 The younger also bore a son and called his name Ben-ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites to this day

Lot left a heritage - two sons born of incest. He left a testimony of a believer whose life is all downhill. He was the closest living relative to a man who has been an inspiration for believers through these centuries. He was a man of true faith. We have this information from Scripture – II Peter 2:7-8

7 and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked 8(for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard);

And it certainly takes an inspired testimony to be believable. Lot is every father’s and mother’s heartbreak. He is every pastor’s greatest failure. And he is the worst that can happen to any Gospel Church.

Lesson: “The believer, who lives without a testimony cannot leave a godly heritage.”