Notes on Genesis 18 and 19
18:1-8
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The oaks at Mamre is the same location that Abraham was at when he heard the news that Lot
had been taken captive. This may indicate this is a favorite spot for Abraham to camp or that he
has resided there since that previous time. Since his son Ishmael was conceived and born after
our last recorded place of residence for Abraham, it would mean that Abraham has been there
at least 14 years.
Verse 1 says the Lord appeared to him and then in verse 2 it says 3 men appeared to Him. So is
the LORD appearing to him different than the 3 men? No, because it seems clear from the text
that one of the men was the LORD (the preincarnate Jesus) and the other two were angels. In
verse 22 we will see them heading toward Sodom and Abraham talks to the LORD. Then when
you get to 19:1 it says the two angels. So how does this preincarnate Jesus thing work? We
know that Jesus, as the second member of the Trinity, is eternal and has always existed. So it is
not strange that he can appear before his incarnation in Bethlehem. But how does Jesus appear
bodily if he wasn’t born yet although we know that he exists for eternity? First of all we must
realize that this is God we are talking about, He can do whatever he pleases. He is not restricted
by the laws of nature that he has set up on this earth for us. Secondly, God exists outside of
time. So is it possible for the bodily risen Christ to appear hundreds of years before he dies on
the cross? Yes, with God all things are possible. How God does this is actually irrelevant when
you consider that he can do whatever he pleases. What is important to note is that all 3
members of the Trinity were involved in active participation in the redemption of man from sin.
“in the heat of the day” would mean early afternoon. Most people would travel in the cool of
the morning and break in the early afternoon when it is the hottest time of the day.
“three men were standing before him.” It is as if Abraham is sitting at the door to his tent, looks
down for a second, and when he raises his eyes 3 men are standing in front of him. So there
seems to be some sort of supernatural appearance. But they are somewhat of a distance away
from him since he is described as running toward them.
Abraham’s running and bowing are acts of reverence and respect to a superior. A proper
welcome for a stranger would be standing and waiting for them to approach you. Either
Abraham is excessively kind to any visitor that comes his way or he immediately acknowledges
that there is something supernatural to this visit. I tend to think there is a mixture of the two.
Abraham is not sure it is the LORD, but knows this is no random visitor. This appearance of the
LORD to Abraham is unique to any other visit. There is no flash or flair to this visit. It is not a
dream or a vision. There are 3 men bodily standing before him and one is the LORD.
It must be obvious to Abraham that one of the men is the superior to the three since he
addresses him as, “My lord….” Now realize this is a term of respect, but does not automatically
mean that Abraham recognizes him as God. If that were the case it would have been written as
LORD instead of lord.
Abraham asks if they might allow him to serve them. This may seem strange to us, but to this
day a stranger in a Middle Eastern culture is often treated with similar respect. This tells us
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much about Abraham who has so much and yet is willing to be the servant of a stranger. Do we
share the same heart? Is this not the heart of God?
It seems that Abraham is offering them a little snack, but he presents them with a very special
meal by killing a young calf and serving it up for them. Then he serves them. He does not eat
with them, but stands by the tree while they eat. They are not just spirits because they eat.
18:9-15
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The question “Where is Sarah your wife?” is described as coming from them and not an
individual. All the rest of the discourse is between Abraham and the LORD. The question in itself
is a verification that these are not normal visitors. They know that Abraham is married and that
his wife’s name is Sarah. Now, he could have written it off by the simple fact that people in the
area would have known him. He has made a name for himself. But the question in itself is
strange for women were often considered more like property than persons.
If there was any doubt that these men were from the LORD, then it is swept away when the
LORD himself speaks and says, “By this time next year I will return to you and your wife Sarah
will have a son.” At the end of the last chapter, Abraham was already promised by that time
next year Sarah would be pregnant with a son. This promise was that she would give birth to the
son by the same time the next year. The other part of the promise was that God would return to
him within the year.
The initial question of Sarah’s location was probably a way to get her attention in the tent so
that she could hear the promise of the son in the next statement. Then strangely in verse 11 we
have a short side note. We are reminded that Abraham and Sarah were old and not just old but
advanced in years. Then we are told that Sarah had already gone through menopause. Although
she had always been barren, now there was no physical chance at all that she could bear
children. Sarah like Abraham in the last chapter laughs to herself at the impossibility of the
promise. Internally she is thinking, “Well, God has missed his chance to fulfill that promise. I am
worn out.” Quite literally in the original Hebrew she says, “Will I have the pleasure of enjoying
sex again?” It has nothing to do with the pleasure of bearing children, but it refers directly to the
pleasure of intimacy with her husband that is not what it had been.
The LORD, just like he did with Abraham, heard Sarah’s internal laughter and calls her out on it
to Abraham. Not only did he call her out on her laughter, but on her internal thoughts which
was an unbelief that she could bear children in her old age.
I love verse 14! The question is asked, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” How would Abraham
know that? Everything that the LORD has said he has done. Plus, Abraham believes that he is
Lord of heaven and earth. So if he truly is, then is anything impossible for the LORD? This is a
light bulb moment for Abraham and Sarah. They aren’t dealing with normal circumstances or
with a regular person. This is God making a promise. The answer is that nothing, absolutely
nothing, is impossible for God. And so he reiterates the promise again.
Sarah tries to deny her internal laugh. Why? Because she now knows who she is dealing with
and she is afraid. The LORD calls her out on her lie and says, “No, you did laugh.” Is anything
impossible for God? He knows when you are lying. We need to have a healthy fear and respect
for God. No matter how impossible it may seem to accomplish what he is calling us to. If he says
it, it will happen.
18:16-21
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The messengers are described as men. As they leave, they head in the direction of Sodom. Being
a good host, Abraham decides to make sure they are heading in the direction they want to.
The LORD asks a question. We are not told who the question is directed to, but I believe we get
a glimpse of the discussion between the second person of the Trinity, Jesus, with the Father and
the Holy Spirit. It could have been verbalized, but it definitely is an internal discussion within the
Trinity. The question is whether or not he shall tell Abraham what he is about to do. It is
decided that he should be told. Why? Because Abraham and his descendents were chosen by
God to be God’s vehicle for blessing the nations. How will he do this? By Abraham and his
descendants keeping the way of the LORD. Which is what? To share in his character, the image
of God, which is his design for all of humanity. This is done by being righteousness (right
relationship with God) and justice (truth and consequences). It is imperative that Abraham and
his descendents continue to hold to justice and live in right relationship with God so that they
might receive fully the things promised by God.
In verse 20 the LORD tells Abraham what he is about to do. There has been an outcry to God
about Sodom and Gomorrah. Who has cried out to God? Maybe the righteous, maybe the blood
of the innocent, or maybe the very land itself. Remember that when Cain killed Abel, Abel’s
blood cried out to God for justice. The other thing that gets God’s attention is that their sin is
grave. They have become wicked people.
God is literally and physically having to go down to Sodom and Gomorrah which is near the Dead
Sea from the high mountains where Abraham is camped. God is conducting an investigation to
see if the condition of the hearts of the people in the city are equal to the outcry he is receiving.
Just as a good parent will not initiate justice without further investigation to what the truth is, so
God wants to make sure his judgment is fitting to their actions. The language is also using
inclusive language to see whether the whole community is guilty of sin “altogether” or whether
it is a smaller group within the larger assembly. If the sin is not as widespread, then God will
know. God again is gracious.
18:22-26
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The men, or the angels as we understand them, head toward Sodom while the LORD stays
behind and talks to Abraham.
Abraham is standing in respect to God, but then draws close to God to make his request. Maybe
by nature of his relationship with God, he desires a closer proximity as he pleads the case for the
people of Sodom.
Abraham does something very bold. He pleads for the life of the people based upon the few that
might be righteous. Abraham does not feel that the righteous should be destroyed because of
the wicked. What he knows thus far about God is that his character seems to be greater and
more noble than his own. If he does not think fifty righteous men should die for the sake of
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bringing judgment on the many wicked then God must feel the same. He speaks very boldly. He
appeals to God as judge over the earth and asks a question whether or not the judge of the
whole should act justly? We know that all men are born into sin and so justice demands that all
men die for truly there is no one righteous apart from God. But God is not just a judge. He is a
father first. What Abraham doesn’t know is that the longing for the righteous to be saved, the
grace and justice he desires, actually is sourced from God. Abraham is again reflecting God’s
character. It is not that God is unjust and does not consider the righteous. God does consider
the righteous and is more gracious than even Abraham can imagine or understand.
Note that righteous means “right relationship with God.” So Abraham’s situation is not the same
as Noah’s. There are truly other men on the earth who remain in right relationship with God
(Melchizedek being one of them).
We also see in this passage the power of intercession. When people are in right relationship
with him, they seek to do his will. And so they ask God through intercession to pour out his
grace upon those we have a burden for. What we see here is that God hears our prayers and
desires to do those kinds of things because that is truly who is. The more time we spend with
him that is what we become.
18:27-33
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Abraham in the second request he makes, shows a humble heart and attitude. God doesn’t have
to do anything Abraham asks. He is just dust that God formed into a man. But since God has
answered his initial prayer, he decides that it doesn’t hurt to ask that the LORD spare the cities if
there are 45 righteous. Abraham is putting his life at stake by interceding for other people. Just
as he did to save Lot, he cares little for his own life when he can save others. He also knows that
God keeps his promises and that he has a relationship with God and so there is a confidence in
approaching God. There always has to be a balance between fear (reverence, awe) and
assurance (confidence based on the relationship and God’s character). God again says that he
will spare the cities for the sake of 45.
For a third time Abraham intercedes. This time with no formality, but a quick jab. What about
40? And God says, “Yes, for the sake of 40.” I raise the question now, would God have spared
the cities for the sake of 40 people anyway. Maybe. But what is happening here is that there is a
restoration of a relationship with God and with Abraham and his fellow man in this process. God
wants us involved in the process of grace and redemption. That is why Abraham has received
the promises and the covenants in the first place. He wants to utilize us to bring about the
restoration of relationship. And part of that is prayer and intercession on behalf of both the
righteous and the unrighteous.
The fourth time Abraham asks God to not be angry, but asks for the sake of 30 whether or not
he will destroy the city. Why would God be mad? Maybe Abraham thinks that he is pestering
God and that there is a lack of reverence happening here. Most kings or royalty do not
appreciate multiple requests especially if they feel they are being bartered with. Again, Abraham
does not understand yet, that God is all about grace.
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He continues to 20 and then 10 each time apologizing for making another request. Note that
God never says, “That’s enough,” or “Oh, alright, but just this once’” but it is always, “for the
sake of… I will not” or “I will not destroy…” God never sets a limit for how many times Abraham
can ask. There seems to be no indication of anger or annoyance. I always wonder what would
happen if Abraham would have said, “For the sake of five, four, three, two, one,” if God would
have acted any differently. What Abraham realized from this is that God’s grace has no limits.
Justice ultimately has to be served on the wicked for the sake of the righteous, but the sake of
those willing to be in relationship with God, God was willing to go to hell and back for them
(which he did for all of us). Our grace and compassion is sourced out of God’s. We can never
love or care more than God. He is love.
19:1-3
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That same evening the angels arrive in Sodom. So Sodom would have been a couple hours walk
from Abraham’s tent. Was Gomorrah so bad that they did not even attempt to go there?
Lot is sitting at the city gate. The gate of a city was where the men of the city would conduct
their personal or city affairs and hold court (Deut. 21:19, 25:7, Ruth 4:1-12, Amos 5:10,12,15).
Lot’s sitting at the gate could mean that he was a city official, or held a position of prominence
in the city. What we need to draw from this is that Lot no longer just has his tent pitched close
to Sodom, but now he is involved in its affairs. We even get the impression that he has moved
within the city walls since he invites the angels to his house instead of a tent. He has set up
permanent residence in Sodom.
Does Lot recognize something special in these men as Abraham did or has he just been trained
properly by his uncle as to how to treat visitors with respect and hospitality. Either way he offers
to wash their feet and provide his home for shelter for them for the night. At this time, a hotel
was not something common. People were much more hospitable. The angels insist on spending
the night in the town square, but Lot strongly presses them not to. Lot doesn’t say it, but we get
the impression that the town square is not a safe place to be at night.
Lot shows great hospitality by not only providing the shelter and washing their feet, but also
providing a meal for his guests.
This account is paralleled by an account that happens at least 500 years later in the book of
Judges (Judges 19-20). A similar even occurs in the tribe of Benjamin that occurs here in Sodom.
The parallels are obvious. The account in Judges reveals that Israel’s wickedness at that point in
their history had gotten as bad as Sodom and Gomorrah which God had destroyed for its
wickedness. In your spare time look at the Judges account. Look at it with a critical eye for the
events are stated as “matter of fact” but is presented in such a way to show the wickedness of
the Israelites who “did what was right in their own eyes.” Remember that God is not approving
of these actions just as he did not approve of Sodom’s actions. God’s character never changes.
The judges account shows how far God’s people can stray from him, if they do not pursue his
character and the image of God in their lives.
19:4-11
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The wickedness of the men of Sodom is so extreme that every man of the city from young to
old came to Lot’s house in an attempt to rape these visitors of Sodom. No wonder Lot was
so quick to show them hospitality and keep them out of the city square! The writer of
Genesis makes sure that we understand that every man of the city was a part of this
deplorable act. Widespread, bold homosexuality is always a sign of the downfall of a society.
Throughout world history from Sodom to Rome, when homosexuality becomes the norm
and is actually glorified it is often one of the last things to occur before that city, nation, or
empire is defeated and disbanded.
Lot speaks with the men shutting the door behind him in order to protect his guests. He
refers to the men of the crowd as his “brothers.” Lot is one of them, a part of this
community. Compromise and living among the sinful brings about sinful consequences that
can and will affect your life.
He calls on the men to not take part in this wicked act of homosexual rape, and then offers
them an alternative. “If you are hell bent on raping someone then rape my virgin daughters.
But please don’t take advantage of my guests because I have promised them the protection
of my roof.” What kind of morality is that? Lot is not reflecting the character of God! By
living in this community of sin, Lot’s morality is also skewed. He believes that these men
raping his daughters is a lesser evil because it is not a homosexual act. But these are his
daughters given by God for him to love and protect! Imagine what his daughters are
thinking and feeling. This raises the question, “Why in the world would God want to save
Lot?” Although he thinks he is less wicked than these men, he is just as immoral. But God is
saving Lot because of his promise and love for Abraham. God is giving him another chance.
We also see as well that the women of the culture are not considered equal, but more like
property. This does not make Lot’s actions right, but might help to understand why he
would make allowance for the rape of his daughters (note the parallel in Judges where the
wife of the Levite is pushed outside, abused all night, and left for dead the next day).
The men of Sodom will not listen to Lot. They don’t see him as a brother. He is just an alien
that they allow to live there. Who is he to judge them? And they decide to deal with Lot
worse than the visitors which I can see only as rape and possible murder of Lot for his
defense of these men. The parallels in our culture are amazing. “Do what you want to and
I’ll do what I want to. Mind your own business. Besides, everyone else is doing the same
thing I am so it has to be right. Who are you to judge us?” And everyone lives by their own
morality that gets more and more immoral because of the sinful nature. And those standing
up for the truth are persecuted and overwhelmed.
Just as Lot was about to be taken, the angels pull Lot into the house and save him. Then they
blind the men at the entrance to the house so that they cannot even find the door. It says
that they wore themselves out trying to find it. It does not seem that all the men
surrounding the house are blinded, but just those at the entrance. But instant blindness of a
few men of the group would have sent a message to all of them. This blindness would have
been more powerful as it affects the young and the old both.
19:12-21
 The “men” or angels of the LORD are still seeking to show grace to Lot and those that are a part
of his family. Just as Abraham pled the case for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to be saved if
ten righteous men be found, these angels are seeking those that will be obedient to the call. But
by their question to Lot it would seem obvious that 10 righteous men will not be found for all of
the men of the city just tried to rape them! Not even Lot is proved righteous by his actions.
 Lot goes out to seek his son-in-laws. Now we see something very interesting in the culture that
was true all the way up to the time of Christ. Lot’s daughters were not married yet to these men,
they were still virgins, but they are considered Lot’s son in laws. Just as Joseph was engaged to
be married to Mary who would mother Jesus, he was still required to divorce her even though
they weren’t married yet when he found out that she was pregnant. After the angel appeared to
him, he understood the situation and remained engaged to Mary. But engagement was a more
serious commitment then than it is now. Lot tells them to get out because the LORD is going to
destroy Sodom and they think that he is joking. They had no regard for their father in law,
maybe because he had not proved himself honorable or trustworthy. Not that these son in laws
are. They could have been in the mob trying to get at the angelic visitors. But at the same time
they had no regard for God and so dismiss the warning. Would we do the same?
 All of this takes place in the same evening. The next morning is when Lot is told to take his wife
and daughters out of the city instantly so that they might be saved.
 Lot lingered! He had trouble believing this warning. So these angels were forced to physically
drag Lot, his wife, and daughters out of the city. Lot does not have the same relationship with
God as Abraham does. But the text makes it clear, God is being merciful. We already talked
about why God is being merciful to Lot, but talk about God’s mercy having no bounds! The
angels had to physically drag them out of the city! This is tough love.
 The angels command them to not look back or stop in the valley, but escape to the hills so they
are not destroyed with the city. It is clear instruction. It would seem that the whole valley is to
be destroyed.
 But Lot refuses to do what they ask! He still wants to live in the valley! Why? What is his
reluctance to return to the hills? Is it the shame of returning to Abraham who has already saved
his life once? We are not told. But instead he wants to escape to a little city close by in the
valley. His appeal to the angel is that it should be safe because it is little. What I gather from this
is that Lot is not ready to be away from the society and culture of sin. His argument is that
because of the size of this town it should not be as wicked as Sodom or Gomorrah. Can he not
just stay there? His argument is that the mountains are too far to flee to. But by our analysis we
saw that it took less than half a day to travel from Abraham’s tent to Sodom. Lot’s argument is
feeble and weak, but for some reason the angel allows it. In the angel’s response we also see
that the distance is not a problem for he is holding back the judgment until Lot is safe in the city.
19:23-29
 So we see it is about midday by the time Lot reaches Zoar. This should not be the measure of the
distance as Lot has dawdled in Sodom unwilling to leave at the initial call.
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Remember we talked about the tar pits in the Dead Sea area where the battle of the nine kings
was fought? There is good reason to believe that the sulfur and fire from the LORD that came
out of the heavens had something to do with volcanic eruptions occurring in the Dead Sea
Valley:
What I speculate is the following: Sodom and Gomorrah (and three other cities) were destroyed by massive ground
eruptions in the valley of Siddim (present Dead Sea). The Dead Sea area had tar pits according to Gen. 14:10, when it
was called the valley of Siddim. Since the Dead Sea itself is believed to have been formed during the catastrophe, it is
possible that like Pompeii, the surrounding cities were overwhelmed by the fire and brimstone and ash from the
explosions. The actual explosions would be in the region of the Dead Sea which is a deep pit (its northern bank is 1300 ft
below sea level, and the bottom of the Sea is another 1300 ft further below at the northern end). During biblical times
there have been minor eruptions under the Dead Sea with sulfurous fumes, (hence a miniature Lake of Fire), but for the
last 200 years it has been quiet. There is indication, however, according to biblical prophecy that it may become active
again towards end times when God judges the earth. The Dead Sea would finally be filled with 'living water' (Zech. 14:8).
During the ground explosions the valley of Siddim was broken up, and the limestone was shattered and pulverized; these
shot up into the sky along with sulfurous gases and steam. The Bible does say that dense smoke like from a furnace was
seen by Abraham the next morning (Gen. 19.27-28). This reminds us of Rev. 9:12 that out of the depths of the bottomless
pit came smoke from a great furnace, an event yet to happen. It is important to realize that this catastrophic event was
caused by divine wrath; it was not just another natural event. During normal volcanic eruptions there is always the release
of steam, and sulfur gases such as hydrogen sulfide (smell of rotten eggs) and sulfur dioxide. These gases can suffocate
people. It is known from chemistry that hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide could react to form elemental sulfur and water.
So at the elevated temperatures of the eruption, sulfur was chemically generated and balls of molten sulfur were formed
which adsorbed air and some ash particles, and became round as they fell down, probably encased in the ash, eventually
solidifying into a porous solid which would be light (for a similar reason, charcoal is lighter than water because of inclusion
of air, and is porous). It was not possible for the sulfur to crystallize because of air and the ash particles in it. The Genesis
statement that sulfur came down from heaven is an observed fact because it literally fell from the sky, though not
originating there. Sulfur is rendered brimstone (burning stone) in older English Bibles, a true translation from the original
tongues.
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http://www.biblediscoveries.com/content/view/32/48/
So the judgment of God on the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah brought destruction to the whole
valley. Even the plants and vegetation that was so appealing to Lot is destroyed in God’s
judgment. The things of this world are passing. Nothing is worth surrendering our relationship
with God for.
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Lot’s wife was following after Lot and paused long enough to become a pillar of salt. The angels
warned them not to look back or they would be destroyed. Lot’s wife, who remains nameless,
did just that. It is possible that Lot’s wife was a native, born of Sodom, as she is not mentioned
at any time before Lot settles near Sodom. So Lot’s attachment to that sinful city would have
increased by marrying into the sinful culture although that is purely speculation. It is not
mentioned why Lot’s wife looked back. Most likely it was not a look of curiosity, but a look of
longing, a desire for the city that she is being forced to leave. The same is true of us, when we
allow the desire for what we have given up for the sake of Christ to hinder our progress, we can
fall back into the same sin and be consumed by it.
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The pillar of salt may be explained through the same explanation of the volcanic explosion at the
Dead Sea.
Pompeii is an ancient Roman city inland from Naples. Pompeii was buried under ash and rock when Mount
Vesuvius, a nearby volcano, erupted on August 24, 79 AD. Pompeii seems much like it did in the 1st century
because the volcanic ash hermetically sealed the city and its 2,000 residents, some of which are captured in
horrific death. http://cruises.about.com/od/mediterraneancruises/ig/Pompeii/
The eruption of Vesuvius did not occur quickly. Beginning at 1pm on the 24th august 79AD, it did not reach its
concluding stages until the following morning. For those in Pompeii who had not
managed to escape, the end came at about 7.30am on the 25th August.
A massive pyroclastic surge headed towards the town at 100kph, carrying lethal
gases and hot ash from the eruption column. Death for the inhabitants was slow
and painful. They would have inhaled the hot gas and ash that would have
caused their lungs to flood with fluid. Subsequent breaths would have mixed more
ash in the lungs that would have caused a kind of cement which led to
suffocation.
Following the surge, first pumice and then ash fell on the city out of which only the
tallest buildings and gates were visible. Rain fell, turning the ash into a mud which
encased the bodies.
Read more:
http://archaeology.suite101.com/article.cfm/human_remains_in_pompeii#ixzz0UP8S4BLl
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So it is quite possible that Lot’s wife was encased by gas and hot ash which cemented her body
where she stood.
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Abraham’s vantage point revealed smoke in the valley as of a furnace which would bring support
to volcanic activity. Lot is saved because God remembered Abraham. Lot was not worthy of being
saved, but again Lot reaps the benefit of the faithfulness of his uncle. Your prayers and
intercession for your loved ones enables them to have more grace afforded to them like
Abraham to Lot.
Genesis 19:30-33
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So after arguing with the angel to live in Zoar instead of fleeing to the mountains, he flees
Zoar to the mountains because he is afraid of Zoar. We are not told why he is afraid of the
little city. Maybe after living there he sees man’s tendency to sin and is afraid that their fate
will be the same as Sodom and Gomorrah. Either way he decides to live in a cave with his 2
daughters. (sidenote on 2 Peter 2:6-8 Lot is described as a “righteous” man. His actions do
not seem to convey this title. Could it be that Lot sought to be righteous but was so hard
pressed by his prior decisions and the culture that he was losing connection with the truth?
Could he have progressed to a perfect heart without perfect performance? Or does the title
righteous mean that he was in “right relationship with God” through the influence of
Abraham?)
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These daughters are living in a cave without a husband or any men around and have the
desire to mother. They may feel the desperation in light of the destruction in the valley and
the people of Zoar may have considered them taboo because of where they came from.
Either way they felt that their only chance of having children was by having sex with their
father. We are not told how much time has passed since the destruction of Sodom. But it is
obvious that sexual taboos and the sanctity of sex matters little to Lot or his family as he was
willing to allow his daughters to be raped for his own protection. Maybe they internally
rationalized that if their father was willing to use them, then they could use him.
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They obviously knew that it was wrong or that their father would not approve because they
got him drunk in order to take advantage of him without his knowledge. They both conceive
and had sons. Moab in Hebrew sounds like “son of my father” while Ben-ammi sounds like
“son of my relative.” They were the fathers of the Moabites and Ammonites, people groups
who were in existence during the time of Moses’ writing of the book of Genesis. Both of
these people groups ended up battling the descendents of Abraham for the land. Although in
Deuteronomy 2:9, 19 God gives instruction to the Israelites to not take their land because he
had given that land as a possession to the descendents of Lot. God was still gracious to Lot
because of Abraham centuries later. But as seen in I Samuel 14:47 and 2 Chronicles 20:1 the
nation of Israel still ended up warring with these nations.
Application:
1.
There is nothing that is too hard for the LORD. If he promises it, it will happen.
2.
God is more gracious and loving than we can even imagine.
3.
Your intercessory prayers to the LORD are powerful and assist in God’s acts of grace.
4.
The wages of sin is death.
5.
Morality apart from God’s standard always ends in wickedness.
6.
We must separate ourselves from past sins and beware of the desire to return.
7.
Parents set the example for right and wrong for their children. Be careful to make sure you
are reflecting the character of God and not living by your own standard of morality for it will
impact generations to come.