Is It Foolishness or Faith? Part 4: Lot & Sodom

How could prosperous cities with millions of people be reduced in moments to ash? Abram’s nephew, Lot, gives us the answer as we study where his choices took him.

Likely, more often than not, we do not understand the “WHY” of many of God’s commands and precepts, and His “ways.” This episode, in our series on Abram’s faith, highlights “why” we must always trust and obey God’s Word. God clearly told Abram, as recorded in Genesis 12:1 … (1) Get thee out of thy country, and (2) from thy kindred [relatives], and (3) from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee. Abram, however, did not, for many years, obey even one of God’s directives. He followed his pagan father from Ur to Haran remaining there until his father died at the age of 205. It was only then that Abram set out for the Promise Land (Canaan); however, he still neglected to separate from thy kindred. He took with him his nephew Lot.

This wrongful decision of Abram created challenges for him because of the compromising character of Lot. Lot’s decisions eventually led to the destruction of his assets and the death of his wife and family, except for two daughters whose end was disastrous. Even so, God prospered Abram. Abram likely became one of the richest men in the world at that time. We are told in Genesis 13:2: And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.

God uses prosperity to create strife.

The LORD prospered not only Abram but also Lot. Both Abram’s and Lot’s herds grew so large that the area in which they were living became too small to support the herds of both men. God utilized this prosperity to “help” Abram to do what he was not able to bring himself to do—to separate from Lot.

Bitter strife came between the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle and those of Abram because of their prosperity: And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. Genesis 13:6 Gentle-hearted Abram wanted no strife; thus, we read in Genesis 13:8 that he said to Lot: Let there be no strife, I pray thee … Abram gave Lot the choice of whatever land he preferred, telling Lot if he went to the left, Abram would take his herdsmen to the right and vice versa.

Lot was a man of unwise, carnal choices.

In Genesis 13:10-11, God begins to reveal what was in the heart of Lot through the “lust of his eyes” which seduced him to make some very disastrous decisions: And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD … Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan …

The plain of Jordan (the valley surrounding the Dead Sea) was an unbelievably lush area of the country, as beautiful as the Garden of Eden! This rich, fertile area of the country (also known as “the cities of the plain”) included five cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar (Bela). Millions of people lived in this area some 4000 years ago. Graves in which more than a million bodies had been buried have now been located. These graves would have had to have been established before God destroyed the cities of the plain.

Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. Genesis 13:12 Even though … the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before [against] the LORD exceedingly, Lot … pitched his tent toward [near] Sodom. Genesis 13:12

Lot’s carnal choices affected Uncle Abram.
A few years later, Lot was in trouble. This was not after he had pitched his tent TOWARD Sodom; but after some time, when he had moved into Sodom—this city that was exceedingly wicked and evil.

The people of Sodom. and the four other cities of the plain (See table, right column.) were under the rule of a northeastern confederation of kings (See table, left column.), but the cities of the plain rebelled. This started a war between the two groups of kings as recorded in Genesis 14.

The confederation of the armies from the northeast, under the leadership of King Chedorlaomer, defeated the armies of the cities of the plain. As part of their booty, they took Lot with them, his family, servants, and all of his possessions. In Genesis 14:13, we’re told that someone who had been taken captive … escaped and told Abram … of the captivity of Lot.

Abram was not only rich, but he had a personally trained army of 318 men which he immediately called upon to pursue the kings of the Northeast. Even though Abram’s army was greatly outnumbered against this huge confederation of kings, God miraculously gave him victory over Chedorlaomer’s forces. Abram recaptured Lot, his family, servants, and possessions.

Partaking in sinful lifestyles happens little by little, not only for Lot, but for all of us.

Carefully consider Lot’s gradual move from living with God’s servant, Abram, to accepting, step-by-step, the anesthetizing effect of colabouring with evil. Lot first separated from Abram. Next, he dwelled in the cities of the plain, AND in some indeterminate time, pitched his tent TOWARD (near) Sodom. Several years later, he moved into Sodom after which he was captured in the war between the kings of the Northeast and the kings of the cities of the plain. However, faithful Abram came and delivered Lot from that captivity.

We hear no more about Lot for several years. When we do, tragically, we find that, not only has Lot moved back to Sodom; but now, in this populous, evil city, he has become a leader … Lot sat in the gate of Sodom … Genesis 19:1. Sitting in the gate of a city means he was a leader. This is where political and business decisions were made, visitors were welcomed, and civil matters were addressed. Perhaps he rose to this position because of the fame of his Uncle Abram’s well-known military victory.

Even though Lot was aware of the wickedness in Sodom, he chose to live in Sodom and raise his family in this environment. Peter confirms (2 Peter 2:7-8) that Lot’s soul was daily vexed with their filthy conversation (lifestyles) and their day-to-day unlawful deeds.

What we do, speaks louder than what we say.

How many parents move their family to take advantage of a business opportunity, not considering the influence the new surroundings might make on the lives of their children, as well as the adults? After all, it seems, this is to better the family’s lifestyle economically, even if it includes leaving a strong, church-family community and a safe neighborhood. Perhaps, it’s only changing jobs where the new position requires the bread winner to attend social drinking events and to be away from the family on many weekends. Maybe the compromise is entering into an adulterous marital relationship (See Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2-3.) because of loneliness, finances, or the perceived need for the children to not be raised in a home without both parents. No problem, it always seems, as “our eyes are lifted up,” and we see the “well-watered land” (of opportunities) that seem so rich.

There is no record that Lot was living in Sodom to try to win his acquired friends and neighbors to the LORD. Instead, he, like many carnal Christians today, lived among them perhaps feeling good that he could get along with people of all lifestyles; that is, he could live among ungodly people and do well economically and politically, not considering the effect on his wife and family. He had moved away from the righteous influence of Abram to have more acreage for his cattle. However, now, it appears he was no longer a herdsman but a politician/businessman. This is why he was “sitting in the gate of Sodom.” How many of us would do the same thing under different circumstances?

It was at this time, when Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom (as it’s recorded in Genesis 19:1), when two angels came to Sodom on a mission from God to destroy Sodom (and the other cities of the plain) because of their abhorrent, sinful lifestyles. The angels (in the personages of men) were sent to Sodom by God to rescue Lot and his family out of this perversely sinful City. This was because of God’s impending judgment of total destruction which would annihilate everything and everyone in Sodom and the other cities of the plain forever. And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. Genesis 18:20-21

As the Scripture reveals, there was no doubt as to the sinfulness of the cities of the plain. God gives us a view of one specific sin (sodomy) in Genesis 19:1-11. The people of the city surrounded Lot’s house where the messengers from God had been invited to stay for the night.

And they [the people from every part of the city] called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them [have sexual relations with them]. Genesis 19:5 Lot offered them his two virgin daughters living in his home, but they refused. These men wanted the men, Lot’s guests.

Lot’s family included both two unmarried (virgin) daughters and daughters who were married.

God’s two messengers told Lot of the upcoming total destruction and that he and his family must leave immediately. This included Lot’s wife, and his two virgin daughters which were in his house (… which are here … Genesis 19:15), as well as his married daughters and their husbands who lived elsewhere in the city. The angels gave Lot time to go to the homes of his sons-in-laws who had married his other daughters after asking him if he had any children other than those living with him:

And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place. Genesis 19:12

And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. Genesis 19:14

There is some confusion regarding how many of Lot’s daughters were living in Sodom, a part of which may be because of new version authors’ erroneous translation of the Hebrew into English. Study the table below where the Hebrew is given first followed by four different translations. The King James is the only translation which correctly translates the underlying Hebrew text as recorded in Genesis 19:14:

Children learn what they live.

How tragic. Lot had lost all credibility with his own family. They felt he was being a hypocrite. After all, it was Lot who seemingly loved the city and its perverse lifestyles, choosing to raise his family in Sodom and even becoming a leader in Sodom. Why should they listen to “godly advice” from Lot—that his God was going to destroy the city?

Children often repeat sinful lifestyles and mannerisms of their parents: Parents “enjoy” social drinking; many children often also “enjoy” social drinking—and some become alcoholics. Parents cheat on their taxes or business deals: some children cheat on their taxes and become “shrewdly cunning” business people. Parents enter into an adulterous civil marriage: children may, likewise, become adulterers or adulteresses. Thus, we learn that Lot’s lifestyle, too, spoke much louder than did his words: … But he [Lot] seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. Genesis 19:14 Lot not only had no effect on the people of Sodom, but he also became a hypocrite to his dear family members. No one wanted to leave this prosperous, albeit wicked, environment.

The time to respond to God is NOW!

And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. Genesis 19:15

(Notice that God specifically adds descriptors which distinguish which daughters were to be brought out of Sodom: which are here.)

And while he [Lot] lingered, the men [the two visitors sent by God] laid hold upon his [Lot’s] hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. Genesis 19:16

The messengers from God warned Lot, his wife, and two daughters to not hesitate by looking back, but to get out ASAP. However, Lot’s wife hesitated (apparently releasing her hand from one of the messengers) and looked back just enough that she was forever caught in the instantaneous, unparalleled, fiery destruction. Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. Genesis 19:24-25

Let us not be weary in well-doing as we share the Word and pray and intercede for lost loved ones.

These angels were sent by God to rescue Lot and his family out of Sodom before God destroyed Sodom in response to the intercession of Abraham: And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt. Genesis 19:29 Whether it’s popular or not … let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9 And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jude 1:22, 23

God WARNS: The destruction of Sodom is for our learning!

I must admit that until I started to study more about the cities of the plain and God’s act of turning them into ash by raining down brimstone (Sulfur) and fire that I had not been deeply moved by the extreme destruction of this entire area. Further, it is a wake-up call with God’s several reminders that He says the turning of these cities into ashes is a SIGN, even today, for the plight of those who refuse to turn from sin or continue to play around with it. Jesus additionally warns, as recorded in Luke 17:32: Remember Lot’s wife.

Lot’s wife was not ready to leave her home. Things, to her, seemed quite normal in Sodom. Her friends and neighbors were carrying on their daily activities; yet, she was being told to leave. This is a reminder to those who, in their flesh, get out of sin; however, they keep looking back at what they had; yearning for the things they used to do.

The two daughters who escaped with Lot enticed Lot to get drunk and each, on different occasions, had sex with him while he was in a drunken stupor. From these relationships, they birthed sons who have become perpetual thorns in the side of Israel: Moab, the father of the Moabites and the other, Ben-Ammi, the father of the children of Ammon, the Ammonites. The Moabites and Ammonites continue to be thorns in the flesh to the Israelites, even today.

Will the Church of America wake up before it’s too late?

Consider the sins God lists as reasons why His wrath brought total destruction on the cities of the plain with fire and brimstone. These sins included: pride, riches, too much leisure time, adultery, encouraging and partaking in sinful lifestyles, fornication, going after strange flesh (men with men; women with women) … God reminds us that this cataclysmic destruction with fire and brimstone is set forth for an example to warn those who refuse to turn from sin and to bow their knees to His outstretched hands of love and forgiveness.

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude 1:7

 

And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath. Deuteronomy 29:23

 

…the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment … Lamentations 4:6

 

Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen [help] the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away … Ezekiel 16:49-50

 

I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit *adultery [divorce and marry someone who has a living covenant spouse], and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness [no repentance]: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. Jeremiah 23:14

*Adultery is a sin which most church bodies today refuse to specifically address: Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. Luke 16:18)

See our book, Finding Loopholes in the Bible on Divorce and “Re-marriage” is like … Riding a Bike to Jamaica,” for an in-depth Biblical study of this prevailing sin. Many reading this teaching are not enmeshed in this sin, but pastors and lay people alike are called to share the whole counsel of God.

But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. Ezekiel 33:6

HAS GOD SENT SOMEONE TO YOU TO PULL YOU OUT OF THE FIRE, BUT YOU HAVE BECOME TOO COMFORTABLE (ENCASED) IN YOUR SIN THAT YOU WILL REMAIN IN SODOM UNTIL YOU, TOO, ARE CAUGHT UP IN THE FIRE AND BRIMSTONE? Remember Lot’s wife.

Sodom along the Dead Sea, once a lush, beautiful, well-watered terrain: now an eerie, desolate area where nothing grows.

Sodom today: Nothing grows there. It is an area filled with brimstone [Sulfur] balls embedded in thin layers of ash. You can see it today!

What a contrast! This area that was once one of the most beautiful, lush areas of the world is a startling, desolate wasteland: the five cities of … the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, BEFORE the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD … Genesis 13: 10

Sodom, today, is as God clearly stated and as it became (as in a moment) in the day of Lot. It remains a barren land with mounds of ash and brimstone where both fire AND brimstone were rained down by God.

The ashen layers of Sodom are of a lighter color than the surrounding rock-filled terrain. What appears to be rock are these light, tightly packed, thin, delicate, ashen layers. They were created from the extremely high temperatures which turned everything into the ash.

There remain thousands of embedded Sulfur (modern name for brimstone) balls in the delicate layers of ash. These balls are almost 100% pure Sulfur giving them their white color. They burn with a deep purple/blue color. Thousands of these Sulfur balls are still embedded in what, from a distance, looks like rock but what are thin layers of delicate, flaky ash.

The WHITE Sulfur (balls of brimstone) in these cities is unlike Sulfur found in any location in the entire world. Sulfur from other areas around the world is yellow in color and often deposited by active volcanoes. Yellow Sulfur never tests with the pureness of the cities of the plain’s pure white Sulfur.

Pastor/Dr. Fink has filmed on location, not only Sodom and Gomorrah, but several other areas mentioned in the Bible and is the author of several publications. We are grateful for his willingness to share video clips/images (from his YouTube) and communicate with us, especially on the geographical background and locations of Sodom and Gomorrah.

You must not miss the opportunity to view his incredible teaching. In his own words: “Prepare yourself to be touched as you watch this unique video!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-HNqoJxdkw

If you would like additional study related to this teaching, go to our website for a self-directed Bible Study. Click on the category, TEACHINGS.

Under Home Bible Study, look for: Bible Study 4A: LOT & SODOM: https://www.restorationofthefamily.org/lot-sodom-bible-study/

IF you have questions or would like prayer, please contact us. We are blessed when we hear from you.