CITYLIGHT CHURCH
GENESIS
STORY OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH
GENESIS 19:1-29
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND OF THE STORY
● Location of Sodom and Gomorrah
Sodom and Gomorrah were two cities located in the plain of the Jordan River, near the Dead
Sea.
● Abraham and Lot's relationship
Abraham was Lot's uncle and had taken him in after Lot's father had died. Lot had settled in
Sodom, while Abraham had settled in a nearby area.
● The visitation of the angels
Two angels were sent by God to visit Sodom and Gomorrah and to see if the cities were as
wicked as had been reported.
ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION FOR SODOM AND GOMORRAH (Gen. 18:16-33)
● Abraham's appeal to God's justice and mercy
“Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that
the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do
what is just?” Gen. 18:25
● God's promise to spare the cities for the sake of the righteous
"For the sake of ten I will not destroy it." Gen.18:32
“NOT EVEN TEN RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE WERE FOUND IN THE CITIES, AND THEY
WERE DESTROYED.”
THE WICKEDNESS OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH (Gen. 19:1-11)
● The arrival of the angels and Lot's hospitality
"Behold, my lords, please turn aside to your servant's house and spend the night and wash
your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way." Gen. 19:2
● The men of Sodom demand that Lot hand over the visitors so that they can
have sex with them, demonstrating the widespread homosexual behavior in the
city.
"Bring them out to us, that we may know them." Gen. 19:5
● Lot tries to reason with the men of Sodom and even offers them his daughters
instead of the angels, but they refuse.
"I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to
them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my
roof." Gen. 19:8
● The angels intervene and strike the men of Sodom with blindness, allowing Lot
and his family to escape.
"But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the
door. And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both
small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door." Gen. 19:10-11
THE REASONS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH
● The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was not only homosexuality but also a general
disregard for God's laws and morality.
"The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave." Gen. 18:20
● The lack of righteousness in the cities. God could not find even ten righteous
people in the cities, leading to their destruction.
"Then he said, 'Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten
are found there.' He answered, 'For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” Gen. 18:32
LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM THE STORY OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH
● The story of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a warning against the
consequences of unrepentant sin and rebellion against God.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Rom. 6:23
● Abraham's intercession for the cities shows us the power of prayer and the need
to intercede for others.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be
healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." Jam. 5:16
● The story of Sodom and Gomorrah also points to the promise of salvation
through faith in Jesus Christ and the righteousness of God in his judgment.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should
not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
TALK IT OVER
• Are you living a life of righteousness and faithfulness to God, or are you
walking in rebellion and sin?
• Will you commit to praying for those around you who are lost and in need of
God's grace and mercy?
• Are you willing to intercede on behalf of others, trusting in the power of prayer
to bring about change in their lives?
• Have you received the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, or are you
still living under the judgment of sin?
• Will you commit to seeking God's will for your life, and striving to obey his
commands in all that you do?