Deliverance from Shame in the Gift of Jesus

How Can We, Who Are So Ashamed, Be Glad?

(Genesis 19:30-38, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, December 21, 2014)

[30] Now Lot went up out of Zoar and lived in the hills with his two daughters, for he was afraid to live in Zoar. So he lived in a cave with his two daughters.

Abraham's nephew, Lot, was an old and broken man. He had lost his wife and his entire community. He and his daughters were rescued by God, but what was their new life like? Lot was afraid to stay in Zoar, the little town that the Lord had spared. He lived in seclusion in a cave in the hills with his two daughters.

[31] And the firstborn said to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of all the earth. [32] Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.” [33] So they made their father drink wine that night. And the firstborn went in and lay with her father. He did not know when she lay down or when she arose.
[34] The next day, the firstborn said to the younger, “Behold, I lay last night with my father. Let us make him drink wine tonight also. Then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve offspring from our father.” [35] So they made their father drink wine that night also. And the younger arose and lay with him, and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. [36] Thus both the daughters of Lot became pregnant by their father.

The two daughters were also very broken and alone. They had lost their mother and the two men that they intended to marry. Their whole world was gone in an instant. Now they were living with their overwhelmed father, far away from any human companionship. They did not have hope for their future, nor did they have confidence that the Lord who rescued them from His judgment upon Sodom would be able to care for them in this time of desperate need.

Those who are not aware of their heavenly father, live like orphans. Since they know of no God who will take care of them, they invent strange ways to solve their own problems. These young women were desperate for children, and they turned to incest in order to succeed in their plans.

[37] The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab. He is the father of the Moabites to this day. [38] The younger also bore a son and called his name Ben-ammi. He is the father of the Ammonites to this day.

Their strange plans bore fruit. From one daughter came the nation of Moab (Moab=from father), and from the other, the Ammonites (Ben-ammi=son of my people). Both groups would become very prominent national enemies of Israel. The first of these, the Moabites, would be a part of the human heritage of the Messiah through the wonderful Ruth.

The Lord of the manger, the cross, and the resurrection has done great things for us, despite our horrific stories of fear, panic, and shame. Because of Jesus, we can be truly glad. (Hebrews 12:2)

Put the Word to Work: The story of the destruction of Sodom ends here, yet the mess of the fall continues, waiting for the Lord's great salvation. That Salvation, Jesus, would come through a Moabitess who wanted to be known by the Name of Israel's God's. Through our association with Jesus, from the line of Ruth and Boaz, we have a holy heritage, despite our secret shame.

Memory Verse from the Songs of Ascents—Psalm 126:3 – The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad.

Gospel Reading—Matthew 16:24-28 – Take up your cross and follow Jesus.