Contributor: Isekhua Evborokhai

INTRODUCTION
In last week’s study we saw Abraham interceding on behalf of the righteous in Sodom. The way chapter 18 ended, God promised that He would not destroy Sodom and if there were up to 10 righteous people. In today’s study of Genesis 19 we, open with the arrival of God’s angels in Sodom to destroy the city. Conclusively, there were not up to 10 righteous people in the land. We will examine how God's justice and mercy are both fully displayed in the destruction of Sodom, and learn lessons from this account that affect us as individuals, and as a community of believers. Genesis 19 is a powerful chapter that reveals the righteous judgment of God against sin and how He can show mercy toward the righteous.

Verses 1-3 - Ritual Without Relationship
When two angels (in human form) arrive in Sodom, Lot recognized they were angels and offered them hospitality, a culturally sacred duty. Although he had strayed at this stage, he still could follow the motions. He referred to them as “lords”, invited them in, washed their feet and prepared ceremonially acceptable food for them. Isaiah 29:13

Verses 4-5 - The Depth of Sodom's Depravity
All the men of the city, from young to old, surrounded Lot’s house and demanded to have sex with the two angels. This is what will be referred to today as “gang rape”, a very clear indication of widespread sexual immorality. No wonder God could not find up to 10 righteous people. Jude 1:7

Verses 6-8 - Right Cannot Be Done Without Faith
Lot offers his daughters instead, revealing both the depth of the city's depravity and Lot’s compromised morality. He was attempting to “fix a problem” by compromise. It also confirms that he didn’t have faith in God, that He could intervene and did not need his help. Confirming that he was only following the motions when he welcomed the angels. Another failed attempt to help God. Trying to help God always has regrettable consequences.

Verse 9 – The Cost of Compromise: Loss of Moral Authority
The MSG version of this verse reads: “They said, “Get lost! You drop in from nowhere and now you’re going to tell us how to run our lives. We’ll treat you worse than them!” And they charged past Lot to break down the door.”
The response of the men of Sodom to Lot’s attempt implies the possibility that Lot's lack of moral authority and respect among the men of Sodom was due to compromises in his faith and lifestyle. Living near or within moral corruption without influencing it for good can erode personal holiness. If you recall from verse 1, he was sitting in the gate of Sodom. In Bible days, to sit at the gate meant being part of the leadership or elders, a person of influence or decision-making power. This suggests Lot had some civic role, yet he had no moral influence over the city's behaviour, failing to confront their evil. Probably didn’t want to be labelled homophobic. So when he spoke, it was hypocritical, and the men discarded his attempt to act righteously (in the presence of the visitors), probably because he had never stood up for righteousness before.

Verses 10-11 – Vengeance is the Lord’s
The angels intervened, pulled him into the house and struck the men with blindness. You do not defend a cage full of lions, you open the cage and step back and watch the lions defend themselves. 2 Kings 6:18, Romains 12:19, Deuteronomy 32:35.

Verses 12-14 – Consequences of Compromise
The hollowness of Lot’s character was pitiful. In verse 14, he went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, 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 wouldn’t take him seriously. The Bible says they though he was joking. Romans 12:2

Verses 15–22 - The Warning and Escape
The angels warn Lot to flee with his family. Despite Lot's hesitation, God shows him mercy by the angels having to drag them out of the city (v. 16). They were told to flee and not look back.

Verses 23–29 - Judgment Falls but Mercy Stands
God rains down fire and sulphur on Sodom and Gomorrah. God does not ignore sin; Sodom’s destruction was a divine response to deep, persistent wickedness (Genesis 18:20-21). Lot’s wife disobeys the warning and looks back and is turned into a pillar of salt. God does not compromise on consequences. The judgement He meted on Sodom was total and final. Yet in the midst of this judgement, God was mindful of Abraham and first got Lot out of there before He blasted those cities off the face of the Earth (Verse 29, MSG).

• Can we relate our world today with Sodom? Give examples
• In what ways are our societies today rejecting God?

Verses 30–38 - The Tragedy in the Cave
What Lot’s daughters did in the cave, was tragic and immoral. It really makes one wonder what virtues Lot taught them? There is no indication that they had any morality. They may have been heavily influenced by the culture and moral decadence of Sodom.

CONCLUSION
Genesis 19 is not just a historical account—it is a mirror for us today. Lot’s story is a call to examine where we have grown complacent with sin around us. In a world marked by moral confusion and spiritual apathy, this chapter calls us to live holy lives, remember God’s justice, and cling to His mercy. We must take sin seriously and know that God’s justice may be delayed, but it is certain. Genesis 19 demonstrates both God’s justice on the one hand towards Sodom and Gomorrah, while on the other, mercy for Lot by virtue of the intercession of Abraham. Finally, we must know that “mercy is not always neat”. Although Lot was saved, the consequences of his actions while in Sodom still carried ongoing consequences as we see with his daughters.