📖 PART 17 – SODOM DESTROYED & LOT DELIVERED
Bible Study for the Series: ABRAHAM – THE FATHER OF FAITH
✝️ Main Scripture Text: Genesis 19:1‑29
Supporting Cross‑References: 2 Peter 2:6‑9; Luke 17:28‑32; 1 Corinthians 10:12‑13; Psalm 34:19; Jude 1:7
📜 Opening Background
Abraham had finished his intercession for Sodom. The two angels travelled into Sodom to carry out God’s judgment and to rescue Lot and his household. Lot, who had chosen to pitch his tent toward Sodom and then settled inside the city, was deeply entangled in Sodom’s culture. Even so, because of Abraham’s prayers and God’s mercy, Lot and his family were pulled out before the fire and brimstone fell. This study shows us the seriousness of continuing to linger in sinful environments, the reality of divine judgment, and how God remembers the prayers of intercessors to deliver the righteous out of destruction.
📖 Verse‑by‑Verse Breakdown
Genesis 19:1‑3 – The angels arrive in Sodom; Lot pleads for them
“And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.”
Lot was sitting at Sodom’s gate — proof of how deeply rooted he had become in that wicked city. At one point, he was only pitching toward Sodom; now he was settled inside it. Yet something good remained in Lot: he recognised the visitors and insisted on showing them hospitality, just like his uncle Abraham. He pressed hard for them to stay in his home, away from the dangerous streets of Sodom. Even a soul compromised by their surroundings can still be used by God and can still receive deliverance.
Genesis 19:4‑11 – The men of Sodom surround Lot’s house
“But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they 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. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. But the men put forth their hand, pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.”
The full depravity of Sodom was on display. The crowd was determined to do evil. Lot’s compromised choices had placed his whole family in terrible danger. His attempt to bargain with the mob showed how much Sodom’s thinking had rubbed off on him. Mercifully, the angels pulled Lot back inside and struck the wicked men with blindness. When you are trapped in a destructive place, God’s angels are still able to reach in and save you, even when you can not save yourself.
Genesis 19:12‑22 – The angels warn Lot to flee
“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: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. 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. 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. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his 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. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.”
Lot’s sons‑in‑law laughed at his warning. Lot himself lingered, reluctant to leave the life he had grown used to in Sodom. The angels had to physically grab hold of Lot, his wife and daughters, and pull them out — the Bible says the Lord being merciful unto him. God’s mercy was the only reason they made it out. Lot even begged to go to the small city of Zoar instead of the mountain, and God granted that request, too. God meets us in our weaknesses, even when we hesitate to obey His escape plan.
Genesis 19:23‑29 – Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed
“The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. 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. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord: And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. 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.”
Fire and brimstone fell on Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot’s wife looked back longingly to the life they left behind and was turned into a pillar of salt. Abraham watched from a distance. The key verse: God remembered Abraham. Lot’s deliverance was a direct fruit of Abraham’s intercession. Judgment fell on the wicked cities, but the man for whom Abraham prayed was rescued.
💡 Key Biblical Lessons for the Believer (Practical Application)
Lesson #1: Lingering near sin will slowly settle you inside sin
Lot started by pitching his tent toward Sodom, then moved into Sodom’s gates, then became part of Sodom’s community. Small compromises, little by little, will make you comfortable in places you were never meant to stay. Be quick to pull away from ungodly environments, relationships, and habits before they become your home.
Lesson #2: God will still deliver you even when you are deep in compromise
Lot was far from perfect. He was weakened and tangled in Sodom’s wickedness. Yet God still sent angels to save him. No matter how far you have wandered, no matter how deep you are trapped, God’s mercy can reach you. Call out to Him for rescue.
Lesson #3: Delay in obeying God’s warning is dangerous
Lot lingered. He hesitated to leave Sodom. His family almost perished with the city. When God gives you a clear warning to walk away from something, do not delay. Procrastination puts you and the people you love at risk. Obey immediately.
Lesson #4: Looking back to your old sinful life will keep you from moving forward
Lot’s wife looked back. She longed for Sodom. When God delivers you from a destructive season, keep moving forward. Do not keep craving the old life He saved you from. Press on into the new life He has prepared for you.
Lesson #5: Intercession works — God remembers the prayers of the righteous
God remembered Abraham’s prayer and rescued Lot. Never give up praying for your “Lots”. Your prayers are not wasted. Even when you can not see what is happening behind the scenes, God is working to deliver the people you are standing in the gap for.
🙏 Personal Reflection & Group Discussion Questions
1. Am I “lingering” near any Sodom in my life — a relationship, habit, workplace, or social circle that pulls me away from God?
2. Have I wandered so far that I feel God can not rescue me? Do I believe His mercy can still reach me?
3. Has God given me a warning to walk away from something, and I have been delaying my obedience?
4. Am I still looking back and longing for the old life that God has already delivered me from?
5. Who is the person I am interceding for, and do I trust that God remembers my prayers for them?
🤲 Closing Prayer for Part 17
Merciful Deliverer, thank You that You reach even those who are tangled deep in compromise. Show me every “Sodom” I am lingering near. Give me the strength to obey Your warning quickly, and keep me from looking back to the things You have saved me from. I thank You that You hear my prayers for my loved ones, and You will deliver them in Your perfect timing. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.
