NOAH’S DAY, LOT’S DAY—HOW IT WAS
(Subjects in this Section)
1-FROM
ENOCH TO NOAH
2-THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE
GREATLY INCREASED
3-HOW IT WAS IN NOAH’S DAY
4-GOD DECIDES TO DESTROY
MAN: HE SETS A DATE
5-HOW THE EARTH WAS WATERED
6-NOAH FOUND GRACE IN
THE EYES OF THE LORD
7-NOAH WAS TOLD BY GOD TO
MAKE AN ARK
8-SEVEN DAYS PRIOR TO
THE RAIN COMING, GOD TOLD HIS PEOPLE
THE
EXACT DAY IT WOULD BEGIN
9-NOAH ENTERS THE ARK: THE
FLOOD CAME
10-THE FLOOD: WHERE
DID THE WATER COME FROM?
11-A NOTE OF INTEREST: CONSIDER
FAITH
12-MAN CONTINUES
TO REBEL AGAINST GOD AFTER THE FLOOD
13-LOT, AND SODOM AND GOMORRAH
14-THE SINS OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH
15-THE LORD DETERMINED TO
GO TO SODOM
16-LOT AND HIS FAMILY LEAVE SODOM
17-LOT’S WIFE LOOKS
BACK (SPIRITUAL WARFARE)
18-HOW IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF LOT
Enoch begat Methuselah, and Methuselah begat Lamech, and Lamech begat Noah. AND HE CALLED HIS NAME NOAH, SAYING, THIS SAME SHALL COMFORT US CONCERNING OUR WORK AND TOIL OF OUR HANDS, BECAUSE OF THE GROUND WHICH THE LORD HATH CURSED-Gen 5:29. And Noah...begat Shem, Ham, and Japheth-Gen 5:32.
From the time of Adam until the flood, the Scriptures show that the people lived to be very old; many lived over 900 years. The oldest in the Scriptures was Methuselah, at 969 years old-ref Gen 5:27. From the time of Adam until the flood was over 1600 years. Taking into account that parents had children from perhaps the age of 65 and on to nearly 200 or more, some have estimated that the population of the earth at the time of the flood may have been four billion or more. It is written, GOD CREATED MAN...MALE AND FEMALE CREATED HE THEM. AND GOD...SAID...BE FRUITFUL, AND MULTIPLY-Gen 1:27,28.
AND
GOD SAW THAT THE WICKEDNESS OF MAN WAS GREAT IN THE EARTH, AND THAT EVERY IMAGINATION
(or inclination) OF THE THOUGHTS OF HIS HEART WAS ONLY EVIL CONTINUALLY (or
all the time)-Gen 6:5. AND IT REPENTED (or grieved) THE LORD THAT HE HAD MADE
MAN ON THE EARTH, AND IT GRIEVED HIM AT HIS HEART (or his heart was filled with
pain-NIV)-Gen 6:6.
THE EARTH ALSO WAS CORRUPT BEFORE GOD (or in God’s sight),
AND THE EARTH WAS FILLED WITH VIOLENCE. AND GOD LOOKED UPON THE EARTH, AND BEHOLD,
IT WAS CORRUPT; FOR ALL FLESH HAD CORRUPTED HIS WAY UPON THE EARTH-Gen 6:11,12.
FOR AS IN THE DAYS THAT WERE BEFORE THE FLOOD THEY WERE EATING AND DRINKING,
MARRYING AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE, UNTIL THE DAY THAT NOAH ENTERED INTO THE ARK,
AND KNEW NOT UNTIL THE FLOOD CAME, AND TOOK THEM ALL AWAY-Mt 24:38,39.
THE LONG SUFFERING OF GOD WAITED IN THE DAYS OF NOAH, WHILE
THE ARK WAS A PREPARING, WHEREIN FEW, THAT IS, EIGHT SOULS WERE SAVED BY WATER-1
Pe 3:20.
Noah was a preacher of righteousness-ref 2 Pe 2:5; yet the
world would not believe what he spoke. There are preachers of righteousness
and Bible prophecy scholars today that are trying to warn the world that the
Rapture, Antichrist, Tribulation, and finally the Battle of Armageddon are coming,
but the world will not believe what they say, even though it is from God’s Word.
1.
THE WICKEDNESS OF MAN WAS GREAT IN THE EARTH-Gen 6:5.
2. Very, very few people were following God’s ways-ref
1 Pe 3:20.
3. There was only one preacher of righteousness mentioned
in the Scriptures at the time of the
flood—Noah-ref 2 Pe 2:5.
4. Noah and his family obeyed God-ref 1 Pe 3:20; Gen
7:13.
5. Noah did all that God commanded him-ref Gen 6:22.
6. God warned His people-ref Gen 6:13.
7. God’s people warned others-ref 2 Pe 2:5.
8. God set a date when the flood would come-ref Gen
6:3.
9. God gave the time; the number of years was 120 years-ref
Gen 6:3.
10. The people that were walking with God understood that God’s
wrath was coming.
11. God’s people were preparing for the coming judgment.
12. The unbelieving world was being warned but would not believe.
13. The people, who were not walking with God, did not understand
that God’s judgment was going to come upon them.
They knew not (or did not understand)
they would soon be destroyed by God's judgment, the flood-ref Mt 24:39.
14. The unbelieving world would not repent-ref Gen 6:11,12; 1 Pe
3:20.
15. God gave men time to repent-ref Gen 6:3.
16. There was no great revival-ref Gen 6:11,12; 1 Pe 3:20.
17. Every imagination of man’s thoughts was evil continually-ref
Gen 6:5.
18. The earth was corrupt-ref Gen 6:11,12.
19. The earth was filled with violence-ref Gen 6:11.
20. All flesh had corrupted God’s way upon the earth-ref Gen 6:12.
21. They were going about things as usual-ref Mt 24:38.
22. The people were eating as if nothing would happen-ref Mt 24:38.
23. The people were drinking as if nothing would happen-ref Mt
24:38.
24. The people were getting married as if nothing would happen-ref
Mt 24:38.
25. The people were being given in marriage as if nothing would
happen-ref Mt 24:38.
26. God set an exact day as the time approached-FOR YET SEVEN DAYS-Gen
7:4.
27. Even as the last day approached, the people went about business
as usual and did not believe.
28. The flood came. The fact that they did not believe it would
happen meant nothing.
They died in their sins and
perished-ref Mt 24:39.
29. God’s people escaped the judgment of God’s wrath.
30. Few saved.
These are very important; for it is written, AS THE DAYS OF NOAH WERE, SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE-Mt 24:37. Indeed, it is very much like this today.
AND THE LORD SAID, MY SPIRIT SHALL NOT ALWAYS STRIVE WITH MAN, FOR THAT HE ALSO IS FLESH: YET HIS DAYS SHALL BE AN HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS-Gen 6:3. AND THE LORD SAID, I WILL DESTROY MAN WHOM I HAVE CREATED FROM THE FACE OF THE EARTH; BOTH MAN, AND BEAST, AND THE CREEPING THING, AND THE FOWLS OF THE AIR; FOR IT REPENTETH (or grieved) ME THAT I HAVE MADE THEM-Gen 6:7. AND GOD SAID UNTO NOAH, THE END OF ALL FLESH IS COME BEFORE ME; FOR THE EARTH IS FILLED WITH VIOLENCE THROUGH THEM; AND, BEHOLD, I WILL DESTROY THEM WITH THE EARTH-Gen 6:13.
1.
God was grieved that He had made man.
2. God decided to bring a flood upon the world.
3. God decided to destroy man.
4. God decided to destroy the beasts.
5. God decided to destroy the creeping things.
6. God decided to destroy the fowls of the air.
7. God set a date.
8. God decided to keep alive two of every sort of living
thing, male and female, of unclean beasts, fowls, and every thing that creepeth.
9. God decided that of every clean beast, sevens should
be taken.
10. God decided that of fowls of the air, sevens should be taken.
11. God decided that all food which is eaten should be taken.
12. God decided to save the godly.
13. God decided to use an ark to save them.
BUT THERE WENT UP A MIST FROM THE EARTH, AND WATERED THE WHOLE FACE OF THE GROUND-Gen 2:6.
BUT NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF THE LORD-Gen 6:8. NOAH WAS A JUST MAN AND PERFECT IN HIS GENERATIONS, AND NOAH WALKED WITH GOD-Gen 6:9. The Lord said to Noah, "I HAVE FOUND YOU RIGHTEOUS IN THIS GENERATION"-Gen 7:1 NIV. Noah and his family seemed to have been standing alone against the entire world that was living in unrepentant sin.
AND
THE LORD SAID...HIS DAYS SHALL BE AN HUNDRED AND TWENTY YEARS-Gen 6:3. And God
said unto Noah, "MAKE YOURSELF AN ARK OF CYPRESS WOOD; MAKE ROOMS IN IT
AND COAT IT WITH PITCH INSIDE AND OUT. THIS IS HOW YOU ARE TO BUILD IT: THE
ARK IS TO BE 450 FEET LONG, 75 FEET WIDE AND 45 FEET HIGH. MAKE A ROOF FOR IT
AND FINISH THE ARK TO WITHIN 18 INCHES OF THE TOP. PUT A DOOR IN THE SIDE OF
THE ARK AND MAKE LOWER, MIDDLE AND UPPER DECKS. I AM GOING TO BRING FLOODWATERS
ON THE EARTH TO DESTROY ALL LIFE UNDER THE HEAVENS, EVERY CREATURE THAT HAS
THE BREATH OF LIFE IN IT. EVERYTHING ON EARTH WILL PERISH. BUT I WILL ESTABLISH
MY COVENANT WITH YOU, AND YOU WILL ENTER THE ARK—YOU AND YOUR SONS AND YOUR
WIFE AND YOUR SONS’ WIVES WITH YOU. YOU ARE TO BRING INTO THE ARK TWO OF ALL
LIVING CREATURES, MALE AND FEMALE, TO KEEP THEM ALIVE WITH YOU. TWO OF EVERY
KIND OF BIRD, AND OF EVERY KIND OF ANIMAL AND OF EVERY KIND OF CREATURE THAT
MOVES ALONG THE GROUND WILL COME TO YOU TO BE KEPT ALIVE. YOU ARE TO
TAKE EVERY KIND OF FOOD THAT IS TO BE EATEN AND STORE IT AWAY AS FOOD FOR YOU
AND FOR THEM." NOAH DID EVERYTHING JUST AS GOD COMMANDED HIM-Gen 6:14-22
NIV.
Let us consider, Noah and his family may have become a sightseeing
attraction upon the earth. Others probably mocked and ridiculed them, as Noah
warned the world of the coming judgment of God. He may have been the laughingstock
of the world. Some have estimated there may have been as many as 4 billion people
on the earth at the time of the flood, yet it is not recorded that any of them
repented.
AND
THE LORD SAID UNTO NOAH, COME THOU AND ALL THY HOUSE INTO THE ARK;
FOR THEE HAVE I SEEN RIGHTEOUS BEFORE ME IN THIS GENERATION. This
is the first invitation to "come," and this invitation was given because
of "grace." Noah was found to be righteous. Noah was invited to "come"
into the ark—a type of Christ. Through the ark, Noah and his family would be
saved.
OF EVERY CLEAN BEAST THOU SHALT TAKE TO THEE BY SEVENS, THE
MALE AND HIS FEMALE: AND OF BEASTS THAT ARE NOT CLEAN BY TWO, THE MALE AND HIS
FEMALE. OF FOWLS ALSO OF THE AIR BY SEVENS, THE MALE AND THE FEMALE; TO KEEP
SEED ALIVE UPON THE FACE OF ALL THE EARTH. FOR YET SEVEN DAYS (or seven
days from now), AND I WILL CAUSE IT TO RAIN UPON THE EARTH FORTY DAYS AND FORTY
NIGHTS; AND EVERY LIVING SUBSTANCE THAT I HAVE MADE WILL I DESTROY FROM OFF
THE FACE OF THE EARTH. AND NOAH DID ACCORDING UNTO ALL THAT THE LORD COMMANDED
HIM-Gen 7:1-5. Why were sevens taken of every clean beast? It has been
suggested that it may have been for food and for sacrifices.
IN
THE SELFSAME DAY ENTERED NOAH, AND SHEM, AND HAM, AND JAPHETH, THE SONS OF NOAH,
AND NOAH’S WIFE, AND THE THREE WIVES OF HIS SONS WITH THEM, INTO THE ARK; THEY,
AND EVERY BEAST AFTER HIS KIND, AND ALL THE CATTLE AFTER THEIR KIND, AND EVERY
CREEPING THING THAT CREEPETH UPON THE EARTH AFTER HIS KIND, AND EVERY FOWL AFTER
HIS KIND, EVERY BIRD OF EVERY SORT. AND THEY WENT IN UNTO NOAH INTO THE ARK,
TWO AND TWO OF ALL FLESH, WHEREIN IS THE BREATH OF LIFE. AND THEY THAT WENT
IN, WENT IN MALE AND FEMALE OF ALL FLESH, AS GOD HAD COMMANDED HIM: AND THE
LORD SHUT HIM IN-Gen 7:13-16. Noah was under divine protection and care.
The time of grace had come to an end. The only thing left for the people to
look forward to now, was the judgment and death.
AND IT CAME TO PASS AFTER SEVEN DAYS, THAT THE WATERS OF
THE FLOOD WERE UPON THE EARTH. AND THE RAIN WAS UPON THE EARTH FORTY DAYS AND
FORTY NIGHTS-Gen 7:10,12. Let us consider how it might have been. The people
are perhaps standing outside of the ark, laughing, mocking, and making jokes
about a flood coming. Even after Noah had entered the ark, people are scoffing
at the idea of the judgment, which Noah said was going to come. Nothing seems
to be happening. The people are not repenting, neither do they believe but continue
in their sin. Seven days pass. Then the sky grows dark, the lightning flashes,
and the thunder cracks; the first raindrops begin to fall. Some people stop
laughing. The rain increases and continues. The laughing and mocking is now
replaced with fear and panic. People begin to scream in terror. Some may even
be beating upon the ark and crying to Noah to let them in. As the waters rise,
people try to find higher ground—but it is too late. It is written, AND ALL
FLESH DIED THAT MOVED UPON THE EARTH-Gen 7:21.
Consider the days we are now living in. There
is mocking and scoffing at the idea that Jesus might return. People are going
about business as usual. Except for an occasional Sunday, God is not in their
thoughts. Most people live however they desire. They do not study and obey the
Gospel but live in sin. Consider, for it is written, BUT AS THE DAYS OF NOAH
WERE, SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN BE. FOR AS IN THE DAYS THAT
WERE BEFORE THE FLOOD THEY WERE EATING AND DRINKING, MARRYING AND GIVING IN
MARRIAGE, UNTIL THE DAY THAT NOAH ENTERED INTO THE ARK, AND KNEW NOT UNTIL THE
FLOOD CAME, AND TOOK THEM ALL AWAY; SO SHALL ALSO THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN
BE-Mt 24:37-39.
It is written, BY FAITH NOAH, BEING WARNED OF GOD OF THINGS
NOT SEEN AS YET, MOVED WITH FEAR, PREPARED AN ARK TO THE SAVING OF HIS HOUSE;
BY THE WHICH HE CONDEMNED THE WORLD, AND BECAME HEIR OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH
IS BY FAITH-Heb 11:7.
During this time, THE LONG-SUFFERING OF GOD WAITED IN THE
DAYS OF NOAH, WHILE THE ARK WAS A PREPARING, WHEREIN FEW, THAT IS, EIGHT SOULS
WERE SAVED BY WATER-1 Pe 3:20.
God gives all who will live ungodly a warning. For if God
SPARED NOT THE OLD WORLD, BUT SAVED NOAH THE EIGHTH PERSON, A PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
BRINGING IN THE FLOOD UPON THE WORLD OF THE UNGODLY; THE LORD KNOWETH HOW TO
DELIVER THE GODLY OUT OF TEMPTATIONS, AND TO RESERVE THE UNJUST UNTO THE DAY
OF JUDGMENT TO BE PUNISHED-2 Pe 2:5,9.
IN
THE SIX HUNDREDTH YEAR OF NOAH’S LIFE, IN THE SECOND MONTH, THE SEVENTEENTH
DAY OF THE MONTH, THE SAME DAY WERE ALL THE FOUNTAINS (or springs) OF THE GREAT
DEEP BROKEN UP, AND THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN WERE OPENED. AND THE RAIN WAS UPON
THE EARTH FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS-Gen 7:11,12. AND THE FLOOD WAS FORTY DAYS
UPON THE EARTH; AND THE WATERS INCREASED, AND BARE UP THE ARK, AND IT WAS LIFT
UP ABOVE THE EARTH. AND THE WATERS PREVAILED, AND WERE INCREASED GREATLY
UPON THE EARTH; AND THE ARK WENT UPON THE FACE OF THE WATERS. AND THE WATERS
PREVAILED EXCEEDINGLY UPON THE EARTH; AND ALL THE HIGH HILLS, THAT WERE UNDER
THE WHOLE (or entire) HEAVEN, WERE COVERED-Gen 7:17-19.
We may note that not only did the waters come from the rain,
but also it is written:
1. ALL THE FOUNTAINS (or springs) OF THE GREAT
DEEP (were) BROKEN UP.
2. AND THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN WERE OPENED. The fast
rising waters did not only come through rain, but also by the subterranean waters,
as a result of the springs of the great deep being broken up. Job 38:16 tells
of the SPRINGS OF THE SEA. Job 38:30 says, THE WATERS ARE HID AS WITH A STONE,
AND THE FACE OF THE DEEP IS FROZEN. Deut 8:7 tells of A LAND OF BROOKS OF WATER,
OF FOUNTAINS AND DEPTHS THAT SPRING OUT OF VALLEYS AND HILLS. In Ps 33:7 we
read, HE GATHERETH THE WATERS OF THE SEA TOGETHER AS AN HEAP: HE LAYETH UP THE
DEPTH IN STOREHOUSES. The fast rising waters appear to have come from springs
of the great deep being broken up. Consider the water of the oceans rising and
gushing forth, as well as the rains coming down. We do not know the exact height
of the tallest mountains in those days, but the Bible assures us that ALL THE
HIGH HILLS THAT WERE UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN, WERE COVERED, and THE MOUNTAINS
WERE COVERED, and ALL FLESH DIED THAT MOVED UPON THE EARTH. NOAH ONLY REMAINED
ALIVE, AND THEY THAT WERE WITH HIM IN THE ARK-ref Gen 7:19-21,23.
Noah
was righteous before God. He believed God’s Word. Noah obeyed God
in all things. Note Heb 11:7:
Noah was warned of God
Noah found grace because of his faith
Of things not seen
The hope and realm of faith
Noah feared
The belief or exercise of faith
Prepared an ark
The work or deeds of faith
Saved his house
The results or obedience of faith
Condemned the world
The testimony of faith
Heir of righteousness
The reward that is of faith
Noah
could symbolize the faithful Jewish remnant that will be brought through the
Tribulation.
Noah could symbolize the church that is raptured prior to
the Tribulation that will come upon all the earth.
The ark is a type of Christ, but also a type of Rapture or
escape. Only through Jesus can we escape the judgment for sin.
The ark was a refuge. Jesus is our refuge.
Gopher wood and pitch can also denote "atonement."
The ark had a window above. It looked upward toward
heaven, rather than downward toward the earth and judgment, letting in light
and
air.
The ark had only one door; one way to enter to be saved.
God shut the door. After the Rapture comes, the door
will be shut.
After the door was shut, the people that were left out were
undoubtedly crying, "Open the door!" After the Rapture, those
left behind will
say, "Lord, Lord, open to us."
By the flood covering the entire earth, judgment was executed
upon all flesh.
AND
THE WHOLE EARTH WAS OF ONE LANGUAGE, AND OF ONE SPEECH-Gen 11:1. AND THEY SAID
ONE TO ANOTHER, GO TO, LET US MAKE BRICK, AND BURN THEM THOROUGHLY...AND THEY
SAID, GO TO, LET US BUILD US A CITY AND A TOWER, WHOSE TOP MAY REACH UNTO HEAVEN;
AND LET US MAKE US A NAME, LEST WE BE SCATTERED ABROAD UPON THE FACE OF THE
WHOLE EARTH. AND THE LORD CAME DOWN TO SEE THE CITY AND THE TOWER, WHICH THE
CHILDREN OF MEN BUILDED. AND THE LORD SAID, BEHOLD, THE PEOPLE IS ONE, AND THEY
HAVE ALL ONE LANGUAGE; AND THIS THEY BEGIN TO DO: AND NOW NOTHING WILL BE RESTRAINED
FROM THEM, WHICH THEY HAVE IMAGINED TO DO. GO TO, LET US GO DOWN, AND THERE
CONFOUND THEIR LANGUAGE, THAT THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER'S SPEECH.
SO THE LORD SCATTERED THEM ABROAD FROM THENCE UPON THE FACE OF ALL THE EARTH:
AND THEY LEFT OFF TO BUILD THE CITY-Gen 11:3-8. The following might be compared
to Lucifer's words in Isa 14:13,14.
Note man's rebellion, "Let us make brick;
let us build a city; let us build a tower, whose
top may reach unto heaven; let us make a name." Here is man exalting
himself against God, even challenging God. Here is self-exaltation ("let
us"). They did not turn to God, but to "self." The tower they
desired to build was not just a tower, but it was to reach unto heaven. Further
note the words given as to why they wished to do these things: LEST WE BE SCATTERED
ABROAD UPON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH. Here again is defiance against God,
as God had commanded them to replenish or fill the earth. Here is self-exaltation.
The tower may also symbolize man's works to reach heaven rather than receiving
the grace of God by faith. The tower can represent man's vain attempts to reach
God and man being "the center"; for when coming by way of grace—God
must be "the center." They had a knowledge of God, but turned from
Him. There was no fear of God before their eyes, even after the flood.
Note
God's words, BEHOLD, THE PEOPLE IS ONE, AND THEY HAVE ALL ONE LANGUAGE; AND...NOTHING
WILL BE RESTRAINED FROM THEM, WHICH THEY HAVE IMAGINED TO DO. Thus, by the Lord
breaking down their ability to communicate and scattering them upon the face
of the earth, their purpose was defeated.
We are now in the computer age, and through
the interconnection of computers and the various components of the "information
highway," knowledge is increasing at an astounding rate. Once again, we
can see that nothing may be restrained from them, which they have imagined to
do. This has a special meaning in the latter day prophecies leading up to and
including the Tribulation. Man's language is again becoming one, the language
of the computer. Mankind is again becoming one, being interconnected
by the computer.
Thus,
we need to examine how it was in the days of Lot, as a further indication of
how it will be in the day when Jesus is revealed, even the days we are
now in.
ABRAM WAS VERY RICH IN CATTLE, IN SILVER, AND IN GOLD-Gen
13:2. AND LOT ALSO, WHICH WENT WITH ABRAM, HAD FLOCKS, AND HERDS, AND TENTS.
AND THE LAND WAS NOT ABLE TO BEAR THEM, THAT THEY MIGHT DWELL TOGETHER: FOR
THEIR SUBSTANCE WAS GREAT-Gen 13:5,6. AND THERE WAS A STRIFE BETWEEN THE HERDMEN
OF ABRAM'S CATTLE AND THE HERDMEN OF LOT'S CATTLE-Gen 13:7. AND ABRAM SAID UNTO
LOT, LET THERE BE NO STRIFE, I PRAY THEE, BETWEEN ME AND THEE...FOR WE BE BRETHREN.
IS NOT THE WHOLE LAND BEFORE THEE? SEPARATE THYSELF, I PRAY THEE, FROM ME: IF
THOU WILT TAKE THE LEFT HAND, THEN I WILL GO TO THE RIGHT; OR IF THOU DEPART
TO THE RIGHT HAND, THEN I WILL GO TO THE LEFT. 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; AND LOT JOURNEYED EAST: AND THEY SEPARATED
THEMSELVES THE ONE FROM THE OTHER-Gen 13:8-11. Lot chose what he believed was
the best. This shows a worldly nature. He chose to go in the direction of Sodom
and Gomorrah, wicked cities, in order to obtain what he considered the best
land. There is no mention that he sought the Lord in his decision. Declining
from God is often a gradual process and leads into the world. Lot, eventually,
ended up in Sodom.
We
have already noted that the area about Sodom was prosperous, even as the garden
of the Lord. Did their prosperity keep them from doing wickedly? The answer
is no. Their sin was very grievous. Lot was VEXED WITH THE FILTHY CONVERSATION
OF THE WICKED-2 Pe 2:7. They were ungodly-ref 2 Pe 2:6. For Lot, THAT RIGHTEOUS
MAN DWELLING AMONG THEM, IN SEEING AND HEARING, VEXED HIS RIGHTEOUS SOUL FROM
DAY TO DAY WITH THEIR UNLAWFUL DEEDS-2 Pe 2:8. THEIR GRAPES ARE GRAPES OF GALL,
THEIR CLUSTERS ARE BITTER-Deut 32:32. THEIR SIN...THEY HIDE IT NOT-Isa 3:9.
SODOM AND GOMORRHA, AND THE CITIES ABOUT THEM IN LIKE MANNER, they gave THEMSELVES
OVER TO FORNICATION, AND went AFTER STRANGE FLESH (sexual immorality and perversion)-ref
Jude 7. THEY COMMIT ADULTERY, AND WALK IN LIES: THEY STRENGTHEN ALSO THE HANDS
OF EVILDOERS, THAT NONE DOTH RETURN FROM HIS WICKEDNESS-Jere 23:14. Thus, they
worked to prevent people from repenting. They encouraged, strengthened, deceived,
lied to, and assisted the evildoers, so that they would not turn from their
wickedness. BEHOLD, THIS WAS THE INIQUITY OF THY SISTER SODOM, PRIDE (arrogant),
FULLNESS OF BREAD, AND ABUNDANCE OF IDLENESS (overfed and unconcerned)...NEITHER
DID SHE STRENGTHEN THE HAND OF THE POOR AND NEEDY (did not help the poor and
needy-NIV). AND THEY WERE HAUGHTY, AND COMMITTED ABOMINATION (detestable things)
BEFORE ME-Ezek 16:49,50. Homosexuality was great in the city-ref Gen 19:4-11.
In Sodom, there were not ten righteous men-ref Gen 18:32. Yet we read, IF THE
MIGHTY WORKS, WHICH HAVE BEEN DONE IN THEE (in Capernaum), HAD BEEN DONE IN
SODOM, IT WOULD HAVE REMAINED UNTIL THIS DAY-Mt 11:23.
AS IT WAS IN THE DAYS OF LOT; THEY DID EAT, THEY DRANK, THEY
BOUGHT, THEY SOLD, THEY PLANTED, THEY BUILDED-Lk 17:28. They were going about
business as usual and not suspecting that their day of judgment was at hand.
These did not believe they would be destroyed, until the time it actually happened.
It is much the same today. BUT THE SAME DAY THAT LOT WENT OUT
OF SODOM IT RAINED FIRE AND BRIMSTONE FROM HEAVEN, AND DESTROYED THEM ALL. EVEN
THUS SHALL IT BE IN THE DAY WHEN THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED-Lk 17:29,30. For
THE LORD KNOWETH HOW TO DELIVER THE GODLY OUT OF TEMPTATIONS, AND TO RESERVE
THE UNJUST UNTO THE DAY OF JUDGMENT TO BE PUNISHED-2 Pe 2:9.
THE
TWO ANGELS ARRIVED AT SODOM IN THE EVENING, AND LOT WAS SITTING IN THE GATEWAY
OF THE CITY-Gen 19:1 NIV. This indicates that Lot was in a position of authority
in the city. WHEN HE SAW THEM, HE GOT UP TO MEET THEM AND BOWED DOWN WITH HIS
FACE TO THE GROUND-Gen 19:1 NIV. THEY TURNED IN UNTO HIM, AND ENTERED INTO HIS
HOUSE-Gen 19:2. BUT...THE MEN OF THE CITY...COMPASSED THE HOUSE ROUND, BOTH
OLD AND YOUNG...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...SAID, I PRAY YOU, BRETHREN, DO NOT SO WICKEDLY...AND
(they) CAME NEAR TO BREAK THE DOOR. BUT THE MEN (the two angels) PUT FORTH THEIR
HAND, AND PULLED LOT INTO THE HOUSE TO THEM, AND SHUT TO THE DOOR. AND THEY
SMOTE THE MEN THAT WERE AT THE DOOR WITH BLINDNESS-Gen 19:4-7,9,10.
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-Gen 19:12,13.
SO LOT WENT OUT, AND SPOKE TO HIS SONS-IN-LAW, WHO WERE 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 THOUGHT
HE WAS JOKING-Gen 19:14 NIV.
Remember, it is written, AS...THE DAYS OF LOT...THUS SHALL
IT BE IN THE DAY WHEN THE SON OF MAN IS REVEALED-Lk 17:28,30. By God's mercy,
the sons-in-law of Lot were being given a chance to escape the fiery judgment
and annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrha. They were being given a chance to escape
hell. Consider this great tragedy. For the pleasures of just one last day of
doing their own will, they chose death and eternal damnation. Consider, for
thousands of years already, they have been in hell—all in exchange for just
one day of pleasure and choosing not to believe God's Word. We might consider
that their decision to reject God's offer of mercy, in exchange for a few hours
of doing their own will, seems beyond human understanding. To choose eternity
in the lake of fire for a few hours of pleasure seems ludicrous, yet so many
people today do exactly the same thing: they reject God's mercy. They refuse
to repent of their sins and surrender themselves to the Lordship of Christ.
They refuse God's love, so they can have a few more days, months, or years of
selfishness—in exchange, they receive eternal damnation. Is this you?
As it is written, LOT...SEEMED AS ONE THAT MOCKED UNTO HIS
SONS IN LAW-Gen 19:14. HIS SONS-IN-LAW THOUGHT HE WAS JOKING-NIV. We might wonder
if they thought he was joking, because he appears to have become a compromiser.
He appears to have become carnal or lukewarm in his faith. He did not seem to
be living separated from Sodom but was a part of the community. His backslidden
lifestyle may have nullified his plea to his sons-in-law. The Christians of
today are also lukewarm. The people of today also react as Lot’s sons-in-law.
When someone talks about Jesus returning, people mock. As it is written, KNOWING
THIS FIRST, THAT THERE SHALL COME IN THE LAST DAYS SCOFFERS, WALKING AFTER THEIR
OWN LUSTS, AND SAYING, WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING?-2 Pe 3:3,4. Many
people today mock and ridicule those who are trying to warn them that Jesus
will return, and that they ought to repent.
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. Note the words, LEST THOU BE CONSUMED IN THE INIQUITY
OF THE CITY. The next verse continues, AND WHILE HE LINGERED. By lingering,
it was evident that Lot was still struggling in his obedience to the Lord in
this matter. Though the people of the city were wicked, yet something there
seemed to hold an attraction for Lot. He was having some difficulty in leaving.
Pulling away from sin, even from our sinful environment or surroundings, may
be difficult sometimes. Sin has an alluring attraction for the flesh. Sin may
offer pleasure but produces death. Christians are not to have fellowship with
the unfruitful works of darkness-ref Eph 5:11. Yet it can be difficult to cut
those ties. People often refuse to obey God and leave their dead churches. They
may not want to leave the blind leaders of the blind. They may refuse to obey
God and continue to fellowship with those that hate God. They linger.
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.
One of the angels said unto Lot, ESCAPE FOR THY LIFE;
LOOK NOT BEHIND THEE. Note, two direct commands are given: 1-ESCAPE; 2-LOOK
NOT BEHIND THEE. We need to escape from the ways of the world. We need to be
set free from the works of darkness. We need to overcome all things. Once we
begin to follow Jesus, we should not look back but look forward to Jesus. We
should not look back and desire our old sinful ways. Our past is to be put behind
us, as we put off the old and put on the new. As it is written, NO MAN, HAVING
PUT HIS HAND TO THE PLOUGH, AND LOOKING BACK, IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD-Lk
9:62.
The Lord continued, NEITHER STAY THOU IN ALL THE PLAIN; ESCAPE
TO THE MOUNTAIN, LEST THOU BE CONSUMED. Again Lot hesitates in obeying the
Lord. LOT SAID UNTO THEM, OH, NOT SO, MY LORD. Note that Lot is listening to
another voice: a voice of compromise, a voice of fearfulness, a voice prompted
by his emotions. Lot said, 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. Lot was fearful. He was not trusting in the Lord as he ought. He did not
understand that what he feared might come upon him in the mountain, indeed,
might come upon him in Zoar. Lot continued, 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 (the Lord) 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-Gen 19:15-21.
HASTE THEE, ESCAPE THITHER; FOR I CANNOT DO ANY THING TILL
THOU BE COME THITHER. Note the words, I CANNOT DO ANY THING TILL THOU BE COME
THITHER. Lot had to escape to safety before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah,
and the cities of the plain would take place. THEREFORE THE NAME OF THE CITY
WAS CALLED ZOAR. Some may say this represents a type of Rapture wherein the
saints have to be removed before the Tribulation can begin.
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-Gen 19:22-25.
We might consider, in Sodom, since the morning seems to have come and passed,
the people were probably laughing and joking about the possibility that their
city was going to be destroyed by the Lord. But then it happened, and their
mocking, undoubtedly, turned into screams of terror and death.
BUT
HIS WIFE LOOKED BACK FROM BEHIND HIM, AND SHE BECAME A PILLAR OF SALT-Gen
19:26. She did not believe the words of the Lord. It cost her, her life.
Many today will not believe God means what He says. It costs them their life.
One might wonder, if Lot's arguing with the Lord about not
going to the mountain but rather to Zoar, and succeeding; could have caused
his wife to think that she could disregard God’s warning, by looking back, and
nothing would happen. Was her looking back simply to see what had happened?
or was it a longing for the city she had left? Was it a desire to return to
the old, rather than proceed on to the new, to which God, in His mercy, had
called her? It appears her heart was still in Sodom. She had left behind her
house, her friends, and the sons-in-law that were engaged to her two daughters.
It is written, REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE-Lk 17:32. Once God has called a person out
of the darkness into His marvelous light, he is not to look back.
Remember how Lot was afraid, at first, to escape to the mountain,
lest some evil would overtake him? It is written, AND LOT WENT UP OUT OF
ZOAR, AND DWELT IN THE MOUNTAIN, AND HIS TWO DAUGHTERS WITH HIM; FOR HE
FEARED TO DWELL IN ZOAR: AND HE DWELT IN A CAVE-Gen 19:30. How much better it
is to obey God the first time and not argue with Him. We need to learn to be
childlike, humble, and submissive before God's Word without arguing.
Lot had gone toward Sodom with great riches. He came out,
hesitantly, having nearly nothing. He had become a compromiser. He came out
with a carnal or lukewarm attitude. He had become fearful. He had lost nearly
all worldly possessions, even his house. He lost his sons-in-law. He lost his
friends. He lost his wife, and his daughters had become perverted. Lot went
toward Sodom rich. He came out poor.
Did Lot succeed in causing Sodom to repent? No. Did they
cause him to become carnal? Did his wife and daughters turn from the ways of
God? Yes. Were the sons-in-law, who were engaged to his daughters, men of faith?
No.
AND THE FIRSTBORN SAID UNTO THE YOUNGER, OUR FATHER IS OLD,
AND THERE IS NOT A MAN IN THE EARTH TO COME IN UNTO US (that we may preserve
seed of our father)...COME, LET US MAKE OUR FATHER DRINK WINE, AND WE WILL LIE
WITH HIM...AND THE FIRSTBORN WENT IN, AND LAY WITH HER FATHER; AND HE PERCEIVED
NOT...AND...ON THE MORROW...THE YOUNGER AROSE, AND LAY WITH HIM-Gen 19:31-35.
Lot’s own daughters had become perverted with the standards of Sodom.
Lot had great riches and chose to go in the direction of the wicked
The area was well watered
The area they lived in was desirable
It was a good place to live
Their sin was very grievous
Their conversation was wicked
They were ungodly
They did unlawful or lawless deeds
Their grapes were grapes of gall
Their clusters were bitter
They did not hide their sin
They gave themselves over to fornication
They went after strange flesh
They committed adultery
They walked in lies
They strengthened the hands of the evildoers
They worked to prevent people from repenting
They had much pride
They were arrogant
They had much food and were overfed
They had an abundance of idleness
They did not help the poor and needy
They were haughty
They committed abominations or detestable things
Homosexuality abounded in the city
There were not ten righteous men in the city (very, very few were really following God)
Yet if the mighty works that were done in Capernaum had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day
Judgment and destruction was about to come upon them
Yet they drank
They bought
They sold
They planted
They builded (going about business as usual)
They did not believe judgment would really come upon them
They mocked and ridiculed those who warned that God's judgment was coming
(also)
Lot was vexed with their unlawful deeds, yet he chose to dwell there
Lot warned his sons-in-law, but they refused to believe
Lot lingered (hesitated to leave)
Lot's family appears to have lingered
Lot had become worldly or lukewarm
God delivered His people before Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed
Lot argued with the Lord about where he should go
Lot was fearful
Lot's trust in the Lord to take care of him in the mountain was lacking
Lot did not set as good an example as he could have for his family
Lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt
Lot’s wife did not believe God’s Word
Lot’s daughters had become perverted
They were not seeking holiness
They did not patiently trust and wait upon the Lord (ref Gen 19:30-38)
Today, it is much the same. Judgment is coming, but few understand.
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