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"Genesis 19 Our Choice of Two Paths " is the topic that will be discussed today on RIOT Podcast, a Christian Discipleship Podcast
In last week's episode, we explored Genesis 18,reflecting on Abraham's unique relationship with God, highlighted by his title as a 'friend of God'. We dug into the remarkable encounter where Abraham hosted three heavenly visitors, among them a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus. They reaffirmed the promised son to Abraham, emphasizing God's covenant. The discussion also turned somber as they revealed the impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah due to rampant sinfulness. Abraham intercede, negotiating for the cities' salvation if ten righteous individuals could be found. Regrettably, only Lot and his immediate family were righteous.
We now continue the narrative with Genesis 19, resuming the story at a critical juncture. This chapter records the sad consequences of Lot's spiritual decline. Abraham was the friend of God, but Lot was the friend of the world, and the contrast of these two men are easy to see.
Let’s Read Genesis 19:1
In the first verse, we see Lot sitting at the gate of a wicked city. We know that Abraham was a pilgrim and a stranger, merely passing through this world. However, Lot had slowly left his tent behind and made a permanent home in Sodom. In Genesis 14 through 16, we can observe this gradual transition. Initially, it mentions that he gazed towards Sodom and set up his tent. Eventually, he moved closer to Sodom, and now we witness him residing within the city. It is important to note that it is mentioned that Lot was at the city gate. This is significant right?
Another observation about vs 1 is it was early afternoon when the Lord and His angels visited Abraham, but it was evening when the angels entered Sodom. Abraham was walking in the light, while Lot was walking in darkness.
Let’s Read Genesis 19:2-11
Lot called himself a servant, but you do not see him hastening to prepare a meal as Abraham did, nor did he stand by to see what further service he could render. But the arrival of the men of the city at the door for immoral purposes was the climax of the evening. Basically, it’s saying “Bring them out so we can have sex with them.”
Let’s Read Genesis 19:12-14
God’s message to Abraham was a joyful one. He and Sarah would have the promised son within a year. But the message to Lot was frightening. God was going to destroy Sodom and everything in it.
In vs 14, we see that Abraham's faith and obedience was a blessing to his home and to the whole world. But because of Lot's worldliness, Lot had no spiritual influence either in the city or in his own home.
Let’s Read Genesis 19:15-26
The first time God rescued Lot, he was a prisoner of war, and he went right back into Sodom. That painful experience should have warned him that he was out of the will of God, but if Lot heard the warning, he certainly did not heed it.
Let’s Read Genesis 19:27-38
Now we see the consequences. The result of the Lord's visit to Abraham was new hope and excitement as Abraham and Sarah joyfully anticipated the birth of a son. Lot, however lost everything when Sodom was destroyed, and he, himself was saved, yet so as by fire. His daughters gave birth to two sons, whose descendants would be enemies to the Jewish nation. Abraham saw the cities of the plain destroyed and knew that God had not found 10 righteous people.
Let’s end our discussion on a high note. This passage shows us that Jesus is a friend of sinners. While it is true that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is an example of God's righteous judgment, it is also true that God's love for lost sinners is clearly seen in this story.
Let’s break down God's love for wicked cities. To begin with, He was longsuffering toward them as he beheld their sin. Just as Abel's blood cried out to God from the ground, so the sins of the people cried out from the wicked cities. God is long suffering and holds back His judgment so that sinners will have time to repent. 2 Peter 3:1-9
The most amazing thing is that Jesus died for the sinners in Sodom and Gomorrah. 1 Peter 3:18 says “For Christ also has suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. Christ did not die for good people, because there are none good. He died for the same sins as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, but we are sinners just the same, and apart from faith in Jesus, we cannot be saved from the judgment to come.
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