Village Schools of the Bible

Genesis: A Devotional Study
by Max Frazier, Jr

We now come to two very difficult chapters in the book of Genesis. We might say that each chapter focuses upon the failures of its main characters - Lot, in chapter 19, and Abraham, in chapter 20. Perhaps the saddest of all is that of Lot and how his life failed to impact the people of Sodom. I think there are some encouraging lessons that we can learn from these very negative experiences of Lot and Abraham.

Genesis 19

Key Words: "angels"; "the Lord rained down burning sulfur"

Key Verse: God answered the prayer of Abraham's heart. Lot was his concern in chapter 18 and God knew that. The key verse is verse 29.

Purpose Statement: This chapter depicts the total collapse of life and morals because of sin. Lot was even willing to sacrifice the morality of his daughters in a compromise with the citizens of Sodom.

Outline: The Fall of Sodom and the Rescue of Lot

I. Lot and his angelic vision (vs. 1-22)
A. His hospitality (vs. 1-3)
B. His interceding for their safety (vs. 4-11)
C. He is warned by them (vs. 12-15)
D. He is delivered by them (vs. 16-22)
II. The destruction of Sodom (vs. 23-29)
III. Lot's sins with his daughters (vs. 30-38)

Questions to Probe: What would make a father willing to sacrifice his daughters' morally? Why, when warned, did Lot hesitate to leave Sodom? What kind of hold did the city have on him?

Thoughts to Ponder: What a dark story! One wonders how Lot could have lived in a community so given to sexual perversity. It would appear from his offer of his virgin daughters for the sexual gratification of the crowd that he had at least tolerated their perversion in the past. Oh, the tragic consequences of sin. Lot lost his home, his wife, his possessions, and the respect of his daughters. The last portrait we see of Lot in scripture is a homeless drunken father committing incest with his daughters in a cold dark cave. Oh, the grievous wages of sin.

The Bible does not tell us how long Lot had been living in Sodom. But, in verse 1, we find him sitting in the gate of the city. That place was reserved for those men who were leaders of the community. Now Lot may have become a leader rather early because of his wealth (even in Bible times wealth bought influence), or it might have happened because it had been his uncle who had rescued the city. However it happened, Lot was a part of this wicked community.

God was merciful to Lot (verse 16). This mercy was extended, not because of Lot, but because of Abraham's intercession. It was a mercy that Lot initially refused but God's will was not to be thwarted by the actions of one hesitant man. Perhaps it was because of this story that John Calvin developed his concept of the irresistible grace of God.

Genesis 20

Key Words: "I said to myself"

Key Verse: Verse 11 describes the ugly scene that occurred because Abraham had a lapse of trust in God's keeping power. He devised his own plan for safety rather than waiting upon the Lord.

Purpose Statement: Beware, lest we set up men as heroes. Abraham did have feet of clay. Yet, notice how God spared Abimelech from further harm, thus showing God's mercy.

Outline: Abraham and Abimelech

I. Abraham's journey to Gerar and Sarah lies (vs. 1-2)
II. God confronts Abimelech (vs. 3-7)
III. Abimelech confronts Abraham (vs. 8-13)
IV. Abraham and Sarah compensated: Abimelech's family is healed (vs.
14-18)

Questions to Probe: Why did Abraham leave his home? Why did he have Sarah lie again? Was there fear in his heart because he knew he was acting out of disobedience?

Thoughts to Ponder: How strange that God would punish Abimelech for an offense he did not know he was doing. One would have thought that God would have punished Abraham and Sarah for being deceitful. I am sure that Abraham's testimony before this man was severely affected. It certainly wasn't Abraham's testimony about God that moved Abimelech to respond. It was the appearance of God Himself to him. How we need to guard our testimony before others.

One can only speculate about the relationship Abimelech had with God. Could he have heard about God from contacts he had had with Melchizedek, king of Salem? We do know that when God spoke, Abimelech knew it was God's voice. Abraham was wrong when he concluded that there was no fear of God in the land. Many times first impressions can be deceiving. Abimelech's sin was done out of ignorance, yet he and his family suffered the consequences (vs 18). Yet, unlike Cain, when warned by God of what he had done, Abimelech made the right choice. He did not let sin become his master. In this way his life becomes a model for us.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Obstacles are those frightening things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.

Genesis 18 Return to Table of Contents Genesis 21