Chapter 19.
The Whoredom of Sodom

Introductory Remarks

This chapter is one of the most powerful in the Bible. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is still known of today by believers and unbelievers alike. May the many lessons it teaches be obeyed and applied in our lives. As a nation, we need to take heed to the warnings of the Word of God concerning the matter of homosexuality. The pattern of Sodom and Gomorrah can be seen in our own country today. Repentance is essential for survival. America is not exempt from the judgment of God.

SITTING AT SODOM'S GATE—19:1-3

It has been a long day. The city has been filled with the hustle and bustle of everyday living. It is almost time to close the gates as was the custom at sundown in this time period. Lot is sitting at the gate. This was a position of prominence, like a judge. Business matters and judicial matters were held at these gates. There were places to sit and room for the people to stand. At the end of the day people would gather to tell the latest news. It was an ideal place to view any strangers coming into the city.

The Bible says the two angels came into the city and Lot greeted them and bowed himself to them. He then invited them to come into his home. Unlike Abraham's invitation, the angels did not want to stay with Lot for some reason. Perhaps they were disgusted with Lot who now is a leader of a perverted society. They knew that Lot should have known better than to dwell in a place like Sodom. Lot's way of life was not their cup of tea. After pressing them to come with him, they finally accept and are given a feast and unleavened bread.

By dwelling in Sodom, Lot reveals a toleration and compromise with the wickedness of that society. Peter said that Lot was "vexed" with the filthy conversation of the wicked (2 Peter 2:7). The word for "vexed" in this verse is kataponeo meaning "to wear down with toil." The wickedness of the world has a way of wearing us down, doesn't it? This is why it is vital that we establish a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ day by day in prayer and study of the Word of God. We must if we are going to spiritually survive and be what God wants us to be. Many Christians today are in working conditions, surrounded by ungodly people. Sometimes we don't have much of a choice of what happens at work. The atmosphere we labor in can get pretty discouraging because of the filthy talk or actions of inconsiderate people. Lot had a choice and chose to live in this city. He could have left, but the prosperity and wealth of Sodom was very appealing to him. Peter also states that Lot vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds (2 Peter 2:8). The word for vexed in this verse is basanizo which means "to torment." Lot tormented himself with what was taking place in this perverted city. How foolish he was for he lost almost everything he had. When believers tolerate and compromise with sin, they lose.

Tolerance in Genesis

Lot was one of several people in Genesis that exhibited the trait of tolerance in their lives. Tolerant people are very patient people. They have learned to be patient with present faults with an eye of what the person will be in the future. They have learned to be patient with that which is petty to keep the peace. We are to be tolerant with one another, but we are not to tolerate wickedness in our life or in the lives of others. There is a point where we must speak up and confront a brother about his wickedness (Galatians 6:1). The following are examples of tolerance in Genesis.

• Sarah—Hagar tolerates Sarah's treatment. 16:15
• Sin—Lot tolerates Sodom's sin and it ruins his life. 19:1
• Selfishness-Isaac tolerates the Philistine's rudeness and greed. 26:21
• Shiftiness—Jacob tolerates the changing of his wages ten times by Laban. 31:7
• Seduction—Joseph was tempted day after day by Potiphar's wife. He refuses each day but eventually is forced to run. 39:10

The Elements of Compromise

Lot's compromises with wickedness destroyed him and his family. It will destroy us too. What does the Bible teach about compromise?

1. Compromise is Forbidden
   1. With the Ungodly—Psalm 1:1
   2. With Unbelievers 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
   3. With Unrighteousness—Romans 12:9
   4. With Untruthful Teachers—Galatians 1:8-10
   5. With Spiritual Unenlightenment—Ephesians 5:11
2. Incidents of Compromise
   1. A Dwelling—Lot lives in a wicked city. Gen. 13:12, 13; 19:1-29
   2. A Darling—Samson is involved with a wicked woman. Judges 16
   3. Deities—Solomon worships false gods. 1 Kings 11:1-14
   4. A Defense—Asa makes a pact with Syria for defensive purposes instead of relying upon God. 2 Chronicles 16:1-9
   5. A Diabolic King—Jehosaphat makes an alliance with a wicked king. 2 Chronicles 18:1-3; 19:1; 20:20, 35-37

THE SURROUNDED HOUSE—19:4-9

Before retiring for the evening, the men of Sodom surrounded the house of Lot. Young and old were there, from every quarter of the city. In Eastern cities, there are different quarters or sections of a city where people lived according to their nation, religion, or occupation such as a water carrier or baker's section of town. These men wanted to "know" Lot's guest. This word "know" in this verse carries the meaning of having sexual relations. These men were homosexuals or sodomites. Lot begged them to leave them alone and not bother his guest. Instead, he offers his two daughters to these men. Why? The custom of that day was to protect a guest at any cost, but this has gone too far. Lot shows his partiality for these men over his own children and his apathy and indifference for his daughters. Remember, children were looked upon as property in those days. How tragic! What is really mind boggling is when Lot talks to these people, he calls them BRETHREN! How far Lot has digressed to call these perverted people his brethren. If a believer is not careful, he can drift far, far away from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Sodomites became enraged with Lot's refusal and set out to destroy him. Lot's world is beginning to crumble. From the history of Rome, we find that rampant homosexuality is the last stage before a society is ruined and eventually destroyed. Lot has failed to appease these men. He has failed as a father too. He is about to fail to save his family and preserve his home.

Failure in Genesis

Failing is no fun, yet, it places an important role in our learning and maturing. The school of hard knocks yields important lessons about life. Failure comes to everyone. The key to failure is how you fail. It is important that we fail forward when it comes. Learning from your mistakes, defeats, and failures can lead one to eventual success and victory. Should we set out to fail? No! When failure does come our way it is vital we learn from it and not make the same mistake again. In Genesis, we find several accounts of failure in areas where people continue to struggle even today.

• In Temptation—Adam and Eve yield to temptation in the garden. 3:6
• In Training Children—Lot fails to be a proper father. 19:8
• Of Talents—The money of the Egyptians failed them in the famine. 47:15
• In Trusting God—Abram fails to trust God during the famine and goes to Egypt. 12:10

What the Bible Says About HOMOSEXUALITY

1. It is Prohibited—Leviticus 18:22
2. It is Perverse—1 Kings 14:24
3. Its Punishment—Leviticus 20:13
4. It is Polluted & Putrid—Romans 1:24-27

Elements of Sexual Depravity

1. Draws in all ages—19:4 "young and old alike" 2 Displays sin openly—19:5 The men get right to the point and want to have sexual relations with Lot's guest. They were unashamed.
2. Draftees are recruited. 19:4
3. Darkness is preferred. 19:4
4. Declines to listen to correction—19:9 These men would not listen to Lot.
5. Demonstrate in the streets—19:5, 9
6. Debating & Demanding rights—19:9 They attack Lot and try to break the door down.
7. Destruction of property—19:9 They become violent in order to satisfy their lust.
8. Deprives of sight—19:11 These men were physically blinded by the angels. Sexual sin today can cause blindness. It can cause irrational thinking or mental blindness. Spiritual blindness occurs also when a person is involved in sexual perversion. The conscience becomes seared.
9. Derides the truth—19:14 They mock at the truth of impending judgment and destruction to come.
10. Disrespect for authority (19:14) & Destruction in the end (19:24, 25) They would not listen to their father. In the end, sexual sin results in physical and spiritual destruction (Revelation 21:8). The only hope is forgiveness and cleansing of Jesus Christ. You must ask for it.

Each of these elements can be seen today as we watch the news on television. Nothing much has changed. The sodomites of today follow the same pattern found in this chapter.

Indifference

Lot revealed his coldness and indifference to the feelings of his daughters when offered them to the homosexuals. I wonder what these girls thought of their father when he did this? What was going on in the minds of those girls? May we not be too hard on Lot. We are cold and uncaring at times in different ways too. We may look the other way when someone is in financial need or needs a helping hand. We can become cold as liquid nitrogen toward our enemies or those who have offended us.

RESCUED—19:10, 11

The men of Sodom pressed upon Lot and the angels pulled him inside the house and smote the sodomites with blindness. The Hebrew word for blindness is sanwerim and it means "partial blindness or mental bewilderment". It is used only here and in 2 Kings 6:18. The sodomites were beginning to pay the penalty for their sin.

Penalties for Sin in Genesis

1. Doom—The earth is cursed because of sin. 3:19
2. Deportation—Cain is banished from the presence of the Lord. 4:13
3. Drowning—All but eight are destroyed in the Flood. 7:22
4. Deprived of Sight—Evil men at Lot's door are blinded. 19:11
5. Destruction by Fire—God destroys Sodom with fire. 19:24
6. Disposal—Anyone harming Isaac or Rebekah would be executed. 26:11
7. Depression of Guilt—Jacob's sons feel the guilt of their sin. 42:21, 22

THE TRAGEDY OF A MOCKED MESSAGE—19:12-14

After the angels blind the sodomites, they reveal the purpose of their arrival. They tell Lot to get his family out of the city for the Lord is going to destroy it. Lot believed the message without any hesitation for he goes to his sons-in-law and warns them of the destruction to come. Unfortunately, Lot's life did not match his lips. How could Lot know about God's plans? He did not live for the Lord. As a result, the sons-in-law mocked him and his message. The example he lived, the inconsistency in his life, resulted in a loss of influence over his family. Lot lost the most valuable thing a believer could lose, his testimony. When a Christian loses his testimony for Christ, he loses his effectiveness to serve Him and be a witness for the Lord. Through repentance and restitution, a testimony can be restored, but it may take a long time. Sometimes it can never be restored with people who are unwilling to forgive and forget. Guard your testimony, the message of your life very carefully.

What Lot Lost

• Sensibility—He calls these sodomites his brethren. 19:7
• Sensitivity—He offers his own daughters to these wicked men. 19:8
• Standing—Lot lost his testimony and influence with his family. 19:14
• Standards—He vexed himself daily in this wicked city. 2 Peter 2:7, 8
• Sociability with God—His closeness to the Lord was broken.
• Siblings—Lot lost some of his children. 19:14
• Sons-in-law—Lot lost these young men too. 19:14
• Substantiality—Lot almost lost his life. 19:16, 22
• Stuff—He lost his home and possessions. 19:24, 25
• Serenity—He lost what little peace he had and was afraid. 19:30
• Senses—He became drunk and impregnated his daughters. 19:33

Genesis Accounts of Mocking

• A Caution—Lot's family mock his warning to leave Sodom. 19:14
• A Child—Ishmael was mocking baby Isaac. 21:9, 10
• Conceptions—Jacob's sons mock Joseph's dreams. 37:19

LINGERING IN LUST CITY—19:15, 16

When the morning came, the angels hastened Lot to get his family and get out of the city. Lot, however, still continued to linger in the city to the point that the angels had to grab him and his family out of the city. The word for "linger" means "to question, hesitate, or be reluctant". We must remember that they had family, friends, their possessions still in the city they were being told to flee. The evacuation was to be made in haste. Indecision, double-mindedness, and fear were taking its toll on Lot and his family.

Many Christians today are double-minded and unstable in their Christian life because they are trying to please this world by living an acceptable, worldly, politically correct life and a life that is supposed to please the Lord too. It just doesn't work beloved. No man can serve two masters (Matt. 6:24). Christians who are in a backslidden condition are there because they choose to be there. Lot was vexed or tormented in this city, but chose to live in it anyway. His roots were deep here and had to be literally pulled out.

The Cause of Vexing

• Satanic Spirits—A daughter was vexed by a demon. Matt. 15:22
• Scolding—Delilah nags Samson for his secret. Judges 16:16
• Sexual Desires—Amnon lusted after his sister Tamar. 2 Sam. 13:2
• Sinful Men—The Egyptians vexed God's people. Numbers 20:15
• Seductions—The Midianites tempted and vexed Israel. Numbers 25:18

Faintheartedness in Genesis

When Lot was commanded to flee the city, he came fainthearted and lingered in the city. There may be times when this may happen to us. What do you do if you get this way. A prescription is given in Psalm 37:1-7: Fret not, Trust, Delight, Commit thy way, and Rest in the Lord. Several examples are given of fainthearted people in Genesis.

• In Famine—Abraham goes to Egypt because of famine. 12:10
• In Fury—Hagar runs away from Sarah's fury. 16:8
• In Fleeing—Lot lingers in Sodom and has to be pulled away from his home and remaining family and friends. 19:16
• Over Forces—Jacob was fainthearted when hearing that Esau and 400 men were coming toward him. 32:7-12
• Over the Future—The butler and baker are fainthearted about their future as they remain in prison. 40:6
• Over Forfeiture—Jacob is fearful and fainthearted about possibly losing his sons, Simeon and Benjamin. 42:36

ESCAPE! DON'T LOOK BEHIND YOU—19:17, 18

When Lot was removed from the city, he was instructed to escape to the mountain and not look behind. Clear cut directions were given to Lot. Sometimes the only way to get back on track for the Lord is to escape from the wrong crowd you are running around with and not look behind. The pull of the crowd is very strong, especially if it is a carnal crowd. Lot complicated matters by delaying in Sodom and now he complicates the situation even more by debating and arguing. God doesn't want us to debate with Him, He wants us to follow His directions for living. Do you follow directions from the Lord and from the authorities in your life? Genesis gives several examples of people who gave directions and those that followed them. Some of the directions were given by the Lord.

Directions Given in Genesis

• Construction—God gives instructions on the ark's construction 6:14
• Circumcision—God directs Abraham to circumcise all males. 17:10
• Clearance—The angels instruct Lot to leave Sodom. 19:17
• Cover-Up—Abraham directs Sarah to say she is his sister. 20:13
• Consecration—Abraham takes Isaac and offers him as God directed him to do in the place of God's appointing. 22:3
• Choice—Abraham's servant is told how to pick Isaac's wife. 24:3
• Come Home—The Lord tells Jacob to return home. 31:3, 13

EXCUSES—19:19-23

Lot's last recorded words are found in this passage and they are words of debate and excuse. Lot's life was one big excuse. He excused sin and evil in Sodom and in the lives of his family. Now he says he can't go to the mountain lest some evil take him, even though that is where he was told to go. He wants to go to a city which was destined to be destroyed. Lot says it is just a little city. I won't be hurt here. The city was Zoar which means "little". How typical of Christians today. My sin isn't so bad. It's just a little sin and won't hurt me. Just as Lot wanted this city, backsliders want their sin. As Lot makes excuses to stay close to sinful Sodom, carnal Christians make excuses to stay close to their sins. The solution for spiritual survival is to escape to the mountain, Mt. Calvary, and get another glimpse of the Christ of the cross and rededicate your life to Him. Forsake the sin in your life, especially the ones you think are little and love so much, yet, do so much damage to your relationship with the Lord and others.

Lot reveals his presumption and persuasiveness as he pleads to go to this city he feels secure in. God reveals His patience and mercy as Lot is disobedient to His original instructions. This incident is a type of the rapture as God withholds his judgment till the believers are removed from the scene. Christians will be removed from this planet before the judgments of the Tribulation Period.

Disobedience in Genesis

• Concerning a Command—Adam and Eve disobey God. 3:11
• Concerning a Country—Abraham goes to Egypt instead of staying in Canaan during the time of famine. 12:10
• Concerning a City—Lot goes to Zoar instead of obeying God's original command. 19:20
• Concerning a Caution—Lot's wife looks back to Sodom. 19:26

BEWARE OF THE BACKWARD LOOK—19:24-26

After Lot was clear, the Lord reigned fire and brimstone from heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah and overthrew the cities of the plain. The high concentrations of sulphur and asphalt in this region with fire from heaven made conditions ideal for major destruction. This is the first mention of fire in the Scriptures and it is associated with God's judgment on man's sin. Those who die without Christ will spend eternity in a lake of fire and brimstone.

Lot's wife looked back from behind him and became a pillar of salt. The words "looked back" mean "to look intently, to lag behind or return back". It seems that Lot's wife went back and was destroyed by the cataclysm and became a pillar of salt. The bedouins also had an interesting belief concerning the issue of "looking behind" after they left their home. They believed once you left the house, it was very bad luck to look behind and believed something terrible would happen to them. Lot's wife looked behind and turned into a pillar of salt.

The term "pillar of salt" is an Eastern idiom which means she had a stroke or she was paralyzed and died. The horror of destruction may have caused a heart attack. In the East, when a person had a stroke, his friends say, "He has turned into a rock". When Nabal's heart died within him, he became as stone (1 Sam. 25:37). Another explanation of the pillar of salt phrase is she may have become petrified from volcanic ash and salt which is in abundance in the Dead Sea region. Archeologist believe these cities were at the southern end of the Dead Sea or Salt Sea and is now covered by water.

We are admonished to not look back as Christians, but to keep going forward. We are told to remember Lot's wife and remember the dangers of going backwards (Luke 17:32). John says that we are not to love the world neither the things of this world (1 John 2:15-17).

Sensitivity in Genesis

Lot's wife was sensitive about leaving her family behind and this was probably what motivated her to return. We are to be sensitive toward the needs and feelings of others. Sensitive people are alert to what is going on around them. They are alert to what others are going through or feeling. Lot's wife was so burdened about her loved ones that it motivated her to disobey God's commands. This is where she made her mistake. Some Christians today will not serve Christ because their families or friends do not want them to and they make a tragic blunder when they defy what God wants them to do. We find in the Genesis record numerous examples of sensitive people.

• To Siblings—Lot's wife shows sensitivity for her family in Sodom and returns. 19:26
• To a Spouse—Abraham weeps for a Sarah who died. 23:2
• To Strain—Jacob is sensitive to his family's needs in journeying too far. 33:13
• To Sadness—Joseph notices that the butler and baker are sad. 40:6
• To Sorrow for Sin—Joseph weeps when he overhears his brother's confession of guilt. 42:21-24
• To Subjection—Joseph's brothers rent their clothes when Benjamin is taken into captivity. 44:13
• To a Situation—Joseph weeps when he reveals himself to his brothers. 45:2
• To Suspicion—Joseph weeps when his brothers worry about him hurting them after their father died. 50:17

Wayward Wives of the Bible

Mrs. Lot was one of several women in the Scriptures that was wayward.

• Cynical wife—Job's wife said, "Curse God and die." Job 2:7-10
• Collusive wife—Rebekah deceives her husband with her son Jacob. Genesis 27:8-18
• Contrary wife—Eve disobeys the Lord in Eden. Genesis 3:1-8.
• Carnal wife—Lot's wife returns to Sodom. Genesis 19:26
• Criticizing wife—Michal despises David in her heart. 2 Sam. 6:15, 16
• Corrupt wife—Jezebel plots Naboth's death to seize control of his vineyards. 1 Kings 21:5-15
• Cruel wife—Herodias has the head of John the Baptist removed. Matthew 14:3-12
• Crooked wife—Sapphira lies about the money from the sale of her property and dies. Acts 5:1-10.

VIEWING THE RUBBLE—19:27-30

Abraham arose the next day after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and viewed the darkened skies filled with the rolling, black smoke from the dancing flames below. The plains were in flames and its inhabitants were dead. Our holy God executed judgment on the perversion of a wicked society. The plains were a furnace of furious fire. After Sodom's destruction, the Lord remembers Abraham.

Meanwhile, we see the insecurity Lot has with his securities. Lot thought he would be so safe in Zoar. He wanted to be there so bad. Now, that which he wanted so bad he now flees. Fear drove Lot to Zoar and now fear drives him away. His cocky confidence has betrayed and left him while insecurity, fear, and trembling now stalk his footsteps. God's original instructions were to flee the mountains. Finally, he sees that God's command was not a bad idea after all. How many folks are like this today? We think our way is best and have everything under control. We will put our security in everything but God only to be disappointed, dissatisfied, and discouraged later on. True contentment, peace, and satisfaction come from being in the will of God and doing His will. What grief must have plagued Lot. He has lost so much. His wife, sons, and some daughters are now dead. He has lost the riches he coveted and now has only a cave to his name. Satan is a great deceiver. He paints such a pretty picture and makes so many promises if we will follow him. Be sure to read the fine print on the Devil's contract, if you please. It might read, "Sinful living will be hazardous to your health and will result in the judgment of my enemy, God."

THE HIGH COST OF LOW LIVING—19:31-36

The daughters were out of Sodom, but Sodom was not out of the daughters. The girls presume that their are no men for them to marry and bear children. Why didn't Lot go back to Abraham? Perhaps his pride from past events with Abraham hindered him. Many times our most intense temptations come from those who are closest to us. Such is the case with Lot. The firstborn daughter persuades her sister to a plan which would make their father drunk and they would have sexual relations with him while he was in a drunken stupor. Their plan was the typical philosophy of Sodom and it worked. As Lot wallowed in his wine, he defiles his daughters, not fully aware of the consequences of his actions. Again we see that wine is associated with sexual sin, in this case it is incest. The seeds of impatience in these girls will bring forth a bitter harvest for hundreds of years to come. Their low living will demand a high cost.

Impatience in the Scriptures

1. Some Causes of Impatience
   1. Immorality—The lustful desires of the men of Sodom made them impatient to have sex with Lot's guest. Gen. 19:4-9
   2. Irritability—Moses' irritability with the people causes him to smite the rock instead of speaking to it. Numbers 20:10, 11
   3. Implacability—The ill will of Jacob's sons make them impatient for revenge against the men of Shechem. Gen. 34:25-27
2. Some Consequences of Impatience
   1. Shipwreck—Acts 27:29-34
   2. Selling a Birthright—Gen. 25:29-34
   3. Sin—Exodus 32:1, 21, 30
   4. Sidetracked from Canaan land—Numbers 20:10-12
   5. Stupid Statements—Job 2:7-9

Dishonored Parents in Genesis

The book of Genesis gives several accounts of parents that were dishonored.

• By Defilement—Ham dishonors Noah. 9:22-24
• By Design—Lot's daughters scheme to get him drunk. 19:31, 32
• By Deception—Jacob lies to his father. 27:19
• By Destruction—Jacob's sons massacre Shechem. 34:28-30

Incest

Incest is sexual relations between people who are related. The eighteenth chapter of Leviticus gives the guidelines on sexual relationships. Relations with members of the same family, grandchildren, aunts and uncles, in-laws, and near kin were prohibited. Incest was punishable in several ways.

• A Curse—Deuteronomy 27:20-23
• Childlessness—Leviticus 20:19-21
• Cessation—Leviticus 20:11-17

Sexual Sins in Genesis

1. Homosexuality—The Sodomites wanted to defile the angels in Lot's house.
2. Incest—Lot's daughters commit incest with their father. 19:33, 34
3. Pre-marital sex—Shechem commits fornication with Dinah. 34:2
4. Adultery—Reuben commits adultery with Bilhah. 35:22
5. Prostitution—Judah lies with a disguised Tamar. 38:16

BIRTH OF AN ENEMY—19:37, 38

Lot's daughters gave birth to sons. The firstborn gave birth to a boy named Moab which means "From Father". Moab's grandfather was his father. The same situation is true of the other daughter's son named Benammi. Benammi means "Son of My Kinsman". Little did these girls know what problems would be in store for the nation of Israel because of the birth of these two boys. They would be a source of great pain to God's people down the road in the future.

Looking Down the Road at Moab

• Moab is Restrained—Despite the harshness of Moab, Moses was not allowed to attack Moab. Deut. 2:9 (about 400 yrs. future)
• Moab is Repudiated—Moab was to be excluded from Israel. Deut. 23:3-6 (About 450 years in the future)
• Moab Retains Balaam—Balak, Moab's king, hires the prophet Balaam to curse and corrupt Israel. He would not curse them but gave a plana to corrupt them. Numb. 22-24 (about 450 yrs. future)
• Moab Ravishes Israel—The nation of Israel is seduced into idolatry by the women of Moab. Numbers 25 (about 450 years future)
• Moab is Ruthless—For eighteen years, King Eglon oppressed Israel in the time of the Judges. Judges 3 (about 500 years future)
• Moab and Ruth—Ruth, a Moabitess, marries Boaz. She becomes a part of the line of Jesus Christ. Where sin abounds, God's grace abounds even more. Ruth 4 (About 600 years future)
• Moab Refuses Israel—Israel asked permission to cross along the King's Highway on the plateau of Moab and were refused permission. Judges 11:17 (About 750 years future)
• Moab Ruins Solomon—Solomon married women from Moab and his heart strayed away from the Lord. 1 Kings 11:1, 3 (1000 yrs. future)
• Moab Raids Israel—When Elisha died the Moabites attacked Israel. 2 Kings 13:20 (1050 years future)

Looking Down the Road at the Ammonites

• Ammonites Retain Balaam—They joined the Moabites in retaining Balaam to curse Israel. Numbers 22 (about 450 years future)
• Ammonites were Repudiated from Israel—They were excluded from the congregation of Israel to ten generations. Deut. 23:3-6 (about 450 years future)
• Ammonites Ruin Solomon—Solomon married Ammonite women and became involved in the worship of Molech. 1 Kings 11:1 (about 1000 years future)
• Ammonites Reviled ambassadors—They abused David's ambassadors. 2 Samuel 10:1-4 (About 1000 years future)
• Ammonites Rent the Syrians—They hired the Syrians against David. 2 Samuel 10:6 (About 1000 years future)
• Ammonites Relieved Chaldeans—They assisted them in an attack against Judah. 2 Kings 24:2 (About 1300 years future)
• Ammonites hinder Rebuilding—Tobia, the governor of Ammon, hindered Nehemiah's rebuilding of the walls after the exile. Nehemiah 2:10 (About 1450 years future)
• Ammonites Remained—They survived into the second century B.C. since Judas Maccabaeus fought them. (About 1700 years future)

Outlines That Teach
Genesis Chapter 19

1. Sitting at Sodom's Gate 19:1
2. The Solicitation of Lot 19:2
   Lot invites the angels to stay with him.
3. The Supper 19:3
   He made a feast and baked unleavened bread.
4. Surrounded by the Sodomites 19:4
5. The Sexual Summons 19:5
   The Sodomites desire sexual relations with Lot's guests.
6. The Scolding of Lot 19:6, 7
   Lot rebukes the men not to act so wickedly.
7. Surrendering the Daughters to Shield the Angels 19:8
8. The Savagery of the Sodomites 19:9
   The Sodomites become violent and attack Lot.
9. The Saving of Lot 19:10
   The angels pull Lot inside the house and shut the doors.
10. Smitten with Sightlessness 19:11
11. Surveying the Family 19:12
    The angels ask if there are any other family members with Lot and to get them out of the city.
12. The Scream of Sodom's Sin 19:13
    The cry of Sodom's sin was great before the Lord and the angels are sent to destroy the family.
13. The Scoffing Son-in-laws 19:14
14. Scurrying to Escape 19:14
    The angels hasten Lot to leave the city.
15. Straining to Remove Lot 19:16
    Lot lingers in the city and the angels take his family by the hand and pull them out.
16. Scampering for Safety 19:17
    Escape to the mountain lest you be consumed.
17. The Stipulations 19:18-22
    Lot makes excuses and wants to go to Zoar instead of the mountains. God accepts his request for He cannot destroy the city till Lot is safe.
18. The Shower of Fire 19:23-25
    When Lot enters Zoar, Sodom is destroyed by fire and brimstone.
19. The Stubborn Spouse 19:26
    Lot's wife returns back to Sodom and is turned into a pillar of salt.
20. The Sight of a Smoking City 19:27-29
    The smoke from the burning city filled the skies.
21. The Solicitude of Lot 19:30
    Lot is very afraid and flees the city to the mountains.
22. The Scheme of the Siblings 19:31, 32
    1. Liquor—Get Lot drunk
    2. Lie with Lot—Have sex with Lot while he is drunk.
23. The Shamelessness of the Daughters 19:33-35
    The daughters carry out their plan and dishonor themselves and their father.
24. The Sons are Born 19:36-38
    The daughters became pregnant and give birth to sons. The firstborn gave birth to Moab and the other gave birth to Benammi.

Index Topics for Further Research

Angel of the Lord, Anger, Attitude, Banquet, Before the Lord, Confusion, Cry, Communication, Choices, Disobedience, Directions, Dishonoring Parents, Excuses, Failure, Fear, Judgment, Knowledge of God, Lust of the Flesh, Mocking, Sexual Sin, Parents, Penalty for Sin, Yielding to Temptation, Reaping Sown Seeds, Situations in the Family, Crowd (Wrong), Warnings, Covetousness, Argumentative, Compassion, Alertness, Defilement, Apathy, Decisiveness, Bitterness, Diligence, Boldness, Frustration, Carelessness, Faint-Hearted, Callousness, Hospitality, Indifference, Irresponsibility, Impatience, Initiative, Inconsistency, Patience, Persuasiveness, Presumption, Persistence, Partiality, Rebellion, Self-gratification, Sensitivity, Thoroughness, Tolerance, Unawareness

Review
Chapter 19

1. What does the Bible say about homosexuality?
2. List the ten elements of sexual depravity.
3. What were the penalties for sin in Genesis?
4. What did Lot lose?
5. What are some possible explanations of the phrase "pillar of salt"?
6. List the wayward wives of the Bible.
7. What became of the two children born to Lot's daughters?