For NIV reading click here http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+19&version=NIV
Two stories in chapter 19: the first is the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the second is the episode of Lot and his two daughters. There are connections between the two stories, however, and much to reflect on theologically. For example, how does what we have read of Lot, his decision-making, leading to his residing in Sodom and Gomorrah, impact what happens in both stories of chapter 19? What is Abraham's role in all this and how does it relate to God's initial call on his life in 12:1-3? Etc.
These are some of the stories that have fascinated readers including me...but more importantly, they show us truths about God, humanity, and what it means to live for God or not.
Thoughts, questions, applications...
Prayers,
Matt
I have never understood Lot offering his two daughters in place of the angels or their sleeping with him to prolong the family line .
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping you guys will help me out here .
"how does what we have read of Lot, his decision-making, leading to his residing in Sodom and Gomorrah, impact what happens in both stories of chapter 19?"
Lot chose the best land in 13 ; was he selfish ?
Was he sacrificing his daughters so that the angels might protect him ?
"What is Abraham's role in all this and how does it relate to God's initial call on his life in 12:1-3?
It appears that Abraham cared for his people , deeply . The " father " of his people .
I'm with Doc here. This chapter leaves me with more questions than answers.
ReplyDeleteIt says every man, young and old, came to Lot's house to have their way with the visitors. How is it that Lot is able to live in this city without succumbing to the carnal desires of every other man in the city?
As Doc said, why on earth would he offer his daughters to the men?
I have serious concerns regarding the men pledged to marry Lot's daughters. Were they just like the rest of the "men" of S & G? What urged them to stay in a city that was about to be destroyed. I think if I was betrothed to someone, the ties would be strong enough to listen when they sounded the alarm.
Lot hesitated and was whisked along by the angels. His wife hesitated (so to speak) and she turned into a pillar of salt. How exactly does one turn into a pillar of salt? When one is turned into a pillar of salt, do we maintain our earthly visage, sort of like a sculpture? Or do we just become a salty column, available for horses and cattle to satisfy their sodium-chloride itches for years to come?
What could have been in Zoar that Lot was so afraid of? Could it have been worse than S&G? If so, then why wasn't it destroyed, also? Or was Lot simply afraid the same thing would happen to Zoar that had already happened to S&G.
The narrative describing the conception of Ben Ammon, as well as Moab, is interesting. I'm not quite sure why it's even recorded, unless it is there for geneaology. Certainly more than 1 Bible hero was given to wine (Noah). I guess in the United States of America, 2010, things are a bit different than in the Middle East, 2075 BC. It's really difficult to imagine living in a cave 4000 years ago.
Lot: portrayed as choosing to live where he lives for himself, and in spite of an urban environment known to be corrupt; to put ourselves in the presence of sin is to invite on our selves corruption and judgment. Lot's life and choices are a graphic illustration of Psalm 1 played out in a person's life.
ReplyDeleteLot offering his daughters is both horrible and out of a commitment to hospitality to the 2 guests. I find it hard to hold these two thoughts together, but they seem to be there in the story. It was a well and widely known expectation that if you were hosting guests, they were your priority. Lot takes this to an extreme, no doubt because there were few alternatives...a position he was in partly because of prior choices and the partly because of the power of sin.
Abraham has also made his share of mistakes, but on the whole truly trusts God and seeks to live for Him. In the story of S and G, he fulfills God's call to be a blessing to others...he does it by prayer and intercession!
Lot and his daughters: most likely, the daughers have come up with their scheme for the father's benefit, to continue his line, but the plan shows how messed up things had gotten. They took control by taking control away from their father. There is no mention of the Lord here. Don't want to demonize the daughters, but a series of bad decisions has powerful consequences that always complicates things.
In Numbers Israelites were killed for taking Moab
ReplyDeletewives who talked them into Baal worship . Moab seems to be bad news everytime we read about it until Ruth .Glad to know she turned things around for the Moabites .