Genesis 19 - A Sort of Outline

Introduction

This chapter deals with the base issues of humanity.

It lays a foundation describing where the failure to deal with original sin leads and for the revelation of our need of a Savior.

In this chapter, we are faced with the decision as to how we will deal with God's Word.

Will we believe what God says, or will we parse what He says to fit our own sense of moral standard?

The chapter seems to emphasize homosexuality.

As I studied for my degree in psychology, one of the foci of my studies was homosexuality; its source and its effect.

After careful study I have reached, and adhere to, the following conclusions about homosexuality:

1. No one is born homosexual. In spite of efforts to prove otherwise, it just isn't so. The most widely proffered "evidence" for being hard-wired as a homosexual turned out to be a hoax.

2. Homosexuality is not a "choice," at least not in the sense that we usually make choices in life. No one would say to him/herself, "I think I will map out for my life a style that will cause me grief and pain both emotionally and socially."

3. From my studies, I have concluded that homosexuality is a pattern of learned behaviors resulting from a myriad of life stimuli, not any one of which necessarily results in homosexuality, but which in combinations of two or three or more may lead one to that particular lifestyle.

4. Just as certain other life "habits" are sinful, homosexuality is sinful behavior.

5. "Sin" is defined as anything that is not in the dead center of God's will, and therefore, homosexuality joins a host of other behaviors that may seem "natural," but which are nonetheless, sin.

6. God loves the homosexual as much as He loves the liar, the murderer, the thief, the haughty and the morally loose. In fact, Christ died for them all.

7. "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16), is as much for the homosexual as it is for you and me.

8. There are certain aspects of homosexuality that set it apart, not as a sin that is any more consequential than any other, but as one whose nature defeats the purpose of God for His creation: procreation.

Leviticus 18:22-24; 20:13-16, equates homosexuality with bestiality, and, like murder, is punishable by death, under the Law.

u>Genesis 19:1-11

1. Lot was visited by two angels.

2. Lot's home was surrounded by the men of Sodom who wanted to rape the angels, not really knowing who or what they were.

3. Lot saw that his social requirement was to protect visitors in his house.

4. He offered his daughters to the crowd, which had no interest in her, for they were, to a man, homosexuals.

5. The angels struck the men blind (a possible source of some "old wives tales" surrounding certain sexual activities.

Genesis 19:12-14

1. Lot is warned of the coming destruction of Sodom.

2. He is told to gather his family and leave.

SIDE NOTE: The "sons-in-law" were probably not married to Lot's daughters yet, only betrothed (like Mary to Joseph), but it was nevertheless considered a done deal.

3. The sons-in-law thought Lot was joking.

Genesis 19:15-22

1. When Lot hesitated to leave the city, the angels physically removed him, his wife and his daughters.

2. Lot's reluctance to leave demonstrates even his sinful state and God's safe removal of him from the city illustrates His great mercy.

3. Lot is allowed to escape to Zoar.

< Genesis 19:23-29

1. Fire and brimstone fell upon the cities.

2. A foretaste of what will be the lot (excuse the pun) of those who live a life of unrighteousness: eternity in a place created for the devil and his angels, Hell, a place of fire, brimstone, gnashing of teeth and aloneness forever.

3. Were God to give us what we have earned, we would receive the same reward as Sodom and Gomorrah, for each of our sin(s) is as eternally damnable as were those of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah.

4. In His great mercy, God has provided a way for us to be righteous even though we are not righteous: the imputed righteousness of Christ to us when we do not deserve it.

5. Christians have been judged on the basis of God's mercy, not His justice.

6. We are saved by His grace, through our faith in the finished work of Christ at the cross of Calvary.