"Settling for Sodom"
Genesis 19:1-16
We recently spent some time with my wife's parents who are both in the 80"s and it reminded me of this story. Two young boys were staying the night at their grandparents' house. At bedtime they knelt beside their beds to say their prayers. The younger brother said in a really loud voice: "I pray for a new bike, a portable TV and a Nintendo!" The other brother said: "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf.
"No, but grandma is!"
PUSHING THE OUTHOUSE
A young boy lived in the country. His family had to use an outhouse, which the young boy hated. It was hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and always smelly. The outhouse was located near the creek so the boy decided that he would push it into the water. After a spring rain, the creek swelled so the boy pushed it in. Later that night his dad told him that he and the boy needed to make a trip to the woodshed. The boy knew this meant punishment. He asked his father why to which his dad replied, "Because someone pushed the outhouse into the creek and I think that someone was you. Was it?" The boy responded that it was. Then he added "Remember when George Washington's father asked him if he had chopped down the cherry tree? He didn't get into trouble because he told the truth." "That is correct," the dad said, "but his father was not in the cherry tree when he cut it down."
BRAGGIN' 'BOUT DAD
Three boys in the schoolyard were bragging about who had the better father: The first boy says, "My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a poem, and they give him $100." The second boy says, "That's nothing. My Dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, and they give him $1000." The third boy says, "My Dad is ever better than that. He scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, calls it a sermon, and it takes 4 men just to collect all the money!"
Scripture Reading
Genesis 19:1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; 2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. 3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5 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. 6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. 9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. 10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door. 12 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: 13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. 14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. 15 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. 16 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.
Introduction: How many of you saw the commercials recently from a cable company where the son asks a question about the lack of cable channels and the father responds with the line, "we're settlers, we settle for things" implying that the users of other cable options were settling for less than the best? Unfortunately we have that same thing happening in the church world today. Many professing Christians are "settling" for less than God's best and even worse they are settling for what the world has to offer. Lot is an example of just such an individual.
What was the appeal of Sodom?
"And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere..."
The only consideration for Lot seems to have been an economic consideration. He saw an opportunity to accumulate more wealth and step out of the shadow of his uncle but like many who go this route they miscalculate the true cost of their decisions. They fail to appreciate the full implications of their decisions, often until the damage is done.
What accommodations did Lot make to Sodom
One of the most telling aspects of Lot's move to Sodom can be found in the changes he made in his lifestyle. Abraham and Lot were nomadic, that is they lived in tents and they moved their herds about from place to place finding pasture and grazing for their flocks and when they separated notice that verse 12 states that Lot "...pitched his tent toward Sodom..." He continued this nomadic lifestyle on the "...plain of Jordan..." for some time, but the day came when Lot made the decision to "...dwell..." in the city of Sodom. This represents a radical change for Lot and his family from being outside Sodom to being inside Sodom.
How did Lot became acclimated to Sodom
This word is a verb that means "to adjust in response to a change in environment or status." Lot got used to the dark! Remember that verse 13 says that the men of Sodom "...were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly..."
Old Vance Havner said he walked into a restaurant that was dimly lit, ordered from a menu that he could barely see, and ate his meal by faith and not by sight! You may have had that kind of experience where you entered a room or building and it took a while for your eyes to become acclimated to the darkness but eventually you did and you were able to make your way around. This is a perfect description of what Lot did, he got used to the darkness of Sodom, gradually, progressively and comfortably making his way in the darkness of sin and depravity.
2 Peter 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
The word "vexed" means sorely distressed or troubled and indicates that as Lot was exposed to the wicked lifestyles of the people of Sodom his soul was troubled but that is not all I read into this Scripture.
To understand what happened let's examine the narrative about Lot's life found in Genesis to see what Lot lost because he settled for something less than the will of God for his life.
I. If you settle for Sodom you will lose your values
a. There was a loss of moral direction
When he lived with his uncle Abraham everything seemed so clear; right was right and wrong was wrong but when it came time for him to make these decisions on his own he did not see things as being black and white but shades of gray.
Genesis 13:1 And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. 2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; 4 Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD. 5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. 6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. 9 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. 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Genesis 13:13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
Lot knew the reputation of the cities of the plain. What comes to mind when you think of Los Vegas, NV? "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, right?" Or what comes to mind when you think of New Orleans, LA? "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" is a Cajun expression meaning "Let the good times roll!"!" There is a contemporary equivalent to Sodom in our culture at least by reputation if not in fact, San Francisco, CA. Lot knew what he was doing but chose to disregard the reputation of these cities. He lost his "moorings," his "anchor," his desire for material success overrode his inner compass. He lost his way and the only thing that stood between him and total destruction was the intervention of merciful God.
b. There was a loss of moral discernment
One of the first things to go when you do what Lot did is your moral discernment. There is an interesting and very telling statement from the Lord in:
Hosea 7:8 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. 9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not: yea, gray hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth not.
Question: How does your hair turn gray or loose for that matter? The answer is obvious. Unless you are dealing with a serious disease it turns a hair or two at the time. My hair didn't turn gray overnight; it came over a period of time. This is what happened in Lot's life. His ability to discern the right from the wrong was seriously impaired by his continued exposure to Sodom's culture of corruption.
c. There was a loss of moral discrimination
Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
He did not have the ability to notice subtle differences. When you begin to compromise or cut corners morally you also have difficulty with the details of moral and ethical living. Lot seems to have be oblivious to what was going on around him and even worse what was happening to his family. Can you imagine where Lot was morally if he is willing to offer his daughters to this mob?
Second, there is:
II. If you settle for Sodom you lose your voice
a. Lot could not challenge them
When Lot stepped outside the door of his home he could not challenge them, not even with the offer of his own daughters.
Genesis 19:7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. Genesis 19:9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.
Have you ever had someone say, "...don't judge me or you have no right to judge me?" That's a popular slogan today. Lot's problem was a loss of influence. He had lived among these people until there was very little difference between the way he lived and the way they lived.
b. Lot could not change them
The angels asked if Lot had any other family and Lot went to them to warn them about what was going to happen. Listen to what the Scriptures declare:
Genesis 19:14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
Finally, we see the end results of Lot's life on the margins. He had spent these years in Sodom as a nominal believer without values and without a voice when it mattered the most.
III. If you settle for Sodom you will lose your valuables
a. His faith
Several years ago I heard someone say that "our lives are the only Bible that some people read." Sodom had no Bible and unfortunately thanks to Lot it had no witness for Jehovah. When you look at the history of the nation of Israel there is one thing that is unmistakable. Jehovah had called them and commanded them to be a witness to the world around them that there was one true God, that He was the Creator of all things and that all men should honor Him as God, worship Him exclusively and serve Him as God in their lives. Lot could have been a witness for he had every opportunity to influence Sodom for Jehovah but he failed to do so. He had the privilege of being with his uncle Abraham for most of his adult life but it seems he failed to absorb very much of the qualities of this godly man's character and conduct.
b. His family
Now turn to Genesis 19 and let's examine the net effect of Lot living in Sodom.
a. Lot "...lingered..." and had to be led out of Sodom by the angels. V. 16
b. His son-in-laws "...laughed..." (mocked = jesting) v. 14
c. His wife "...looked back..." and became a pillar of salt. V. 26
Someone said, "You got Lot's wife out of Sodom but you couldn't get Sodom out of Lot's wife!"
d. His daughters "...lay..." with their father and were with child of their own father. V. 33-36 The real tragedy is these young women had no Biblical convictions to stand as a "fire wall" to prevent this type of behavior. They had no problem justifying their decisions and demonstrate vividly the type of rationization that we see in many people today.
ILL - Character matters in our lives. Philosopher Herbert Spencer wrote, "Not education but character is man's greatest need and man's greatest safeguard." Chuck Swindoll wrote, "Character is the moral, ethical, and spiritual undergirding that rests on truth, that reinforces a life in stressful times, and resists all temptations to compromise." That is the kind of character God wants to develop. Why? Because our character determines how we interpret God's will.
c. His
Conclusion: We are living in a time that looks more and more like Sodom each day. If I may let me tell you four things that I see that are comparable to Sodom: First, there is a:
I. Loathing of Scripture
In our culture there is a hatred of the Bible and everything that it stands for. Look at the efforts to remove any mention of the Bible or the Ten Commandments from public life and thought. Christians have sat on the stool of do nothing and allowed this cultural cleansing to take place with all of its implications. This cleansing has found its way into seminaries and churches where there is very little mention of the Bible from the pulpit or the pew.
II. Loss of Shame
Jeremiah 8:12 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore shall they fall among them that fall: in the time of their visitation they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
Zephaniah 3:5 The just LORD is in the midst thereof; he will not do iniquity: every morning doth he bring his judgment to light, he faileth not; but the unjust knoweth no shame.
III. Lapse in Society
There are no moral standards and no absolutes to govern behavior and "...every man does that which is right in his own eyes!" The supreme arbiter of behavior is man himself for God has been demoted and man has been deified!
IV. Lack of Separation
Lot's problem is our problem! There is very little if any difference between the lifestyles of Christians and non-believers. Survey after survey reveals this disconnect between Christian creed and Christian conduct. Biblical separation has been marginalized and devalued to the degree that the Church has very little influence on the culture for God and for good!
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
The question is why? Sodom had no Bible but Sodom did have Lot but he had no influence for God in this wicked place. He was like the man I read about in an illustration entitled:
THEY NEVER GUESSED
ILL - A certain man, a Christian, accepted a new job among very profane people. He was very anxious and fearful about how he would be received. When he came home from the first day on the job, his wife asked how it had been. He replied, "Wonderful! They never guessed that I was a Christian."
That's Lot's problem! There was no witness for God, no one to cry against the sins of Sodom, no one to warn them of coming judgment. Lot is a perfect example of "...salt that had lost its savor..." There are many Lot's in our day. Why do you think that we are witnessing the decline of our great country today? Christian's are called to be "salt and light" but for in large part we are neither, the salt has lost its savor! The men of Sodom cried, "... (My translation) Who made you the judge?" In v. 9 they had no respect for Lot's witness because of his compromising, accommodating, appeasing lifestyle!
ILL - There is a plaque on a church building in England that reads like this: "In the year 1653, when all things sacred throughout the land were either demolished or profaned, Sir Robert Shirley built this church. His singular praise is this: To have done the best of things in the worst of times." In 17th century England it was the worst of times. King Charles I had been tried for treason and been beheaded. Injustice was reigning throughout the land. The churches were harassed and many were closed. It was a dark time. But Sir Robert Shirley used the things God had given him and he built a church. He invested in the Kingdom, he did the best of things in the worst of times. What are we doing with our things? It's a dark time in many respects for us right now: War, aids, abortion, divorce, child abuse, pornography. "Everything sacred is being profaned." The question still must come back to each of us- When the Master returns for the final accounting, what will He realize from His investment in us? Are we doing the best of things, in the worst of times?
My friend, we are called to be a witness for Jesus in both our beliefs and our behavior. We can trumpet our beliefs from the rooftops but if our behavior is not consistent with what we believe then we are unless to this God forsaken, sin soaked, sin cursed world, worse than useless for we have the answers that this world needs to hear but our witness is rendered ineffectual by our compromising, accommodating ways. Have you ever been skinned or scalded by a sermon? Have you ever felt like your toes have been stomped on by a sermon? That's the way I felt when I put this message down on paper. God has plowed me good and proper but I needed it and I'm convinced that I'm not the only one! The people of God all over this nation need to get on fire for God! The church needs to stop it's compromising accommodating ways and become salt and light once again. Do you recall our Lord's word to the lukewarm ones in Laodicea?
Revelation 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
