Genesis 19
“The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. 2 “My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.”
“No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.”
3 But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. 4 Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”
6 Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him 7 and said, “No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”
9 “Get out of our way,” they replied. “This fellow came here as a foreigner, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.
10 But the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house and shut the door. 11 Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door.
12 The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, 13 because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.”
14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.
15 With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.”
16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. 17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”
18 But Lot said to them, “No, my lords, please! 19 Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can’t flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I’ll die. 20 Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it—it is very small, isn’t it? Then my life will be spared.”
21 He said to him, “Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. 22 But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it.” (That is why the town was called Zoar.)
23 By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. 24 Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. 26 But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
27 Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the Lord. 28 He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace.
29 So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.
30 Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. 31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man around here to give us children—as is the custom all over the earth. 32 Let’s get our father to drink wine and then sleep with him and preserve our family line through our father.”
33 That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and slept with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.
34 The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I slept with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.” 35 So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.
36 So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. 37 The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today. 38 The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today.”
Genesis 19 Meaning
Genesis 19 tells the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the rescue of Lot and his family. It highlights the consequences of wickedness and the faithfulness of God in delivering those who trust in Him.
Genesis 19 Commentary and Explanation
In Genesis 19, we witness a profound narrative of divine judgment, human righteousness, and the complexities of familial relationships. As we delve into this chapter, we are confronted with moral dilemmas, the consequences of wickedness, and the mercy of God amidst destruction.
At the outset, we encounter Lot, a righteous man living amidst the depravity of Sodom. His actions in welcoming the two angels demonstrate the virtue of hospitality, a quality highly esteemed in biblical tradition. Lot’s willingness to extend kindness to strangers, even in the face of societal corruption, sets a powerful example for us. It prompts us to consider how we treat those who are in need or who come to us as strangers, echoing the teachings of Jesus in passages like Matthew 25:35.
Yet, amidst Lot’s hospitality, we are confronted with the utter wickedness of Sodom. The men of the city, driven by their base desires, demand to have relations with the angels. This moment is a stark reminder of humanity’s capacity for depravity and the depths to which sin can lead us. It’s a sobering reflection on the corrupting influence of unchecked desire and the consequences of moral decay.
Lot’s response to the men’s demands is both commendable and troubling. He offers his own daughters in place of the angels, illustrating his commitment to protecting his guests at all costs. While his willingness to sacrifice for others is admirable, the fact that he would offer his daughters to appease the crowd raises difficult questions about the value of human life and the lengths to which we should go to uphold righteousness.
The intervention of the angels, striking the men with blindness and rescuing Lot and his family, highlights God’s justice and mercy. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of judgment, God remembers the righteous and extends his grace to those who seek refuge in him. This divine intervention underscores the importance of trusting in God’s protection and seeking refuge in him, especially in times of trial and uncertainty.
As the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah unfolds, we witness the tragic fate of Lot’s wife. Her disobedience in looking back serves as a cautionary tale about the danger of clinging to the past and being unwilling to fully embrace God’s call to move forward. It’s a reminder of the importance of obedience and trust in God’s guidance, even when it leads us into unfamiliar territory.
In the aftermath of the destruction, we see Lot and his daughters seeking refuge in the mountains. Their actions, driven by fear and desperation, lead them into a deeply troubling situation. The incestuous relationships that ensue reveal the profound effects of trauma and the ways in which sin can distort our sense of right and wrong.
Overall, Genesis 19 challenges us to wrestle with difficult questions about righteousness, hospitality, and the consequences of sin. It prompts us to examine our own hearts and actions in light of God’s standards and to seek refuge in him amidst the chaos and brokenness of the world. It’s a chapter that reminds us of the importance of living with integrity and trusting in God’s faithfulness, even in the face of overwhelming darkness.
Also Read: Genesis 18 Meaning and Commentary
Context of Genesis 19
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is set in a time when wickedness had multiplied in these cities. The cries of their sin had reached the Lord, and He had determined to destroy them. However, Abraham interceded for the righteous inhabitants, specifically his nephew Lot and his family. In response to Abraham’s intercession, God sent two angels to rescue Lot and his family before the judgment fell.
Lot, who had settled in Sodom, was considered righteous in the eyes of God (2 Peter 2:7-8). Yet, he had chosen to dwell among immoral people, which would ultimately have an impact on his life and the lives of his family. Although Lot’s righteous character is evident, he compromised by living in a place filled with wickedness. This serves as a warning for us not to compromise our faith and values by being closely associated with ungodly influences (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Breaking Down the Key Parts of Genesis 19
Hospitality: Lot’s hospitality towards the angels showcases the importance of showing kindness to strangers and extending a welcoming spirit, even in a sinful environment.
Wickedness: The wickedness of the men of Sodom highlights the consequences of turning away from God’s design for sexual relationships and indulging in sinful desires.
God’s Warning: The angels warned Lot about the impending destruction of Sodom, emphasizing God’s mercy in providing a way of escape for the righteous.
Lot’s Wife: Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt serves as a reminder not to hold onto the things of the world or look back at sin, but to fully commit ourselves to following God.
Lessons From the Bible Verses
1. Be cautious of the company we keep: Lot’s choice to live in Sodom shows the impact of being closely associated with ungodly influences. We must choose our friends and environments wisely, ensuring we do not compromise our faith and values.
2. Extend hospitality: Lot’s generosity and hospitality towards the angels reveal the importance of showing kindness to strangers. As Christians, we are called to be welcoming and loving to all.
3. Do not compromise our values: Lot’s offer to give his daughters instead of the angels demonstrates the dangers of compromising our values. We must stand firm in our beliefs, even in challenging situations.
4. God’s mercy and grace: The rescue of Lot and his family showcases God’s mercy and grace. Similarly, God offers us salvation through Jesus Christ, providing a way of escape from sin and its consequences.
5. Focus on the future: Lot’s wife looking back and turning into a pillar of salt reminds us not to cling to the things of this world or look back at sin. Our focus should be on following God and pressing forward towards our heavenly goal.
Final Thoughts
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of wickedness and the faithfulness of God in delivering those who trust in Him. It provides valuable lessons on the importance of choosing our associations wisely, extending hospitality, standing firm in our values, and focusing on our future with God. Let us draw encouragement from the story of Lot and strive to live righteous lives, even in the midst of a fallen world.