Genesis 19:1-11

In this chapter we see God’s answer to Abraham’s intercession.  He does not spare the wicked; but He does spare the righteous.  It is still the story of the man of faith but this chapter centers on Lot.

Lot was an important man, v1a.  This is indicated by his sitting in the gate of the city, the place where business was conducted.  In many ways it can be said it was the place where the direction of the society was established.

Lot was a righteous man, v1b-3.  We know this because God says so twice in Scripture (2 Pt. 2:7-8).  We also see it in the way he welcomed the angels to his home.  Note that in the evil city he had two virgin daughters (v8), undoubtedly a rarity in Sodom.  Lot had been part of the worship led by Abraham in the days before they split up.

Lot was a well-intentioned man, v4-7.  Notice how he stood up to the entire male population of the city.  Also notice his patronizing reference to them all as his brethren.  Lot has really tried to identify with the people of the city without adopting their wicked lifestyle.

Lot was a conflicted man, v8.  You may wonder about Lot’s righteousness after reading how he offered his daughters to the homosexual men of the city.  2 Peter 2:4-10 explains the truth about Lot.  Lot was oppressed (v7) and tormented (v8).  He was truly tortured in his soul by the struggle against sin.  The first term was used to speak of those at sea struggling against a strong head wind.  This was Lot’s situation.  He did the only thing he knew to do; amazingly he did what he considered to be the lesser of two evils.  He knew no other way to handle the life he had chosen.

Lot was a despised man, v9a.  The truth comes out.  The Sodomites had never accepted Lot.  Undoubtedly they had only welcomed him into their city because of his wealth.  They tolerated his righteous behavior, even benefiting from it, giving him a place in the gate.  But in the end they showed their true heart towards him.

Lot was a powerless man, v9b-11.  He had courage but no power; sought to protect but had to be protected.  We will find it the same as we live in this world.  If we seek to play the world’s game we will be powerless.  We do not just live in the world.  We have been sent into the world to witness to and against it (John 17:18).  For that there is power (Acts 1:8).