The Lord Will Both Judge and Save

How Great Thou Art!

(Genesis 19:23-29, Preaching: Pastor Stephen Magee, December 14, 2014)

[23] The sun had risen on the earth when Lot came to Zoar. [24] Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven. [25] And he overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground.

What happened to the beautiful place where Lot had chosen to live? See Genesis 13:10-13. In the day when Lot went to Sodom we were told that “the men of Sodom were wicked.” We heard more about this in Genesis 18– that the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was very great and their sin was very grave. The events described in the earlier verses in Genesis 19 were a horrible confirmation of their violent depravity.

This judgment of God was recorded for us in the verses before us now. In the absence of even ten righteous people, the entire region was destroyed. 2 Peter 2 :6 says that God “condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly.” Jude 1:7 is more specific: “Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities … indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire [lit. other flesh].” As in 2 Peter 2, Jude makes an application beyond these ancient cities, saying that they “serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.” Peter went beyond Jude in helping us to see how we have been rescued by God. The Lord “rescued righteous Lot,” [!] who was “greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked.” Point: “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials ...”

[26] But Lot's wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.While Lot and his daughters were saved, Lot's wife was destroyed. She looked back longingly on the place that was her delight despite the explicit warning that was given through the angels. Jesus Himself referred to this incident as a warning to those who prefer a dying world to the kingdom of God. “Remember Lot's wife.” Read Luke 17:28-33.

[27] And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. [28] And he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and toward all the land of the valley, and he looked and, behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of a furnace.

[29] So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived.Abraham saw the place of divine judgment the next day. Imagine what that experience would be like! The Lord has overthrown this tired world. You are alive and safe, but so many others are gone. God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out before fire came down from the sky.

Put the Word to Work: The Lord's destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah reminds us of the wrath from which we have been delivered. The Lord has done great things for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Praise the Lord. He is terrible in judgment and glorious in mercy.

Memory Verse from the Songs of Ascents—Psalm 126:1-2 – When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

Gospel Reading—Matthew 16:21-23 – Jesus foretells his death and resurrection