Lesson 6: Abraham, Lot & Sodom (Genesis 13, 14, 19)

Introduction:  Lot was the son of Haran, Abraham's brother (Gen. 
11:27-12:5). His father died in Ur, and he traveled with his uncle, 
Abraham, who had no son.  Lot accompanied Abraham to the city of 
Haran, where his grandfather died.  He then traveled with Abraham 
to the land of Canaan (Gen. 12:4-5, 8), possibly to Egypt during 
the famine, and back to the the Negev (south country) (Gen. 12:10; 
13:1-5).


I. Lot's Choices (Gen. 13)

	A. Lot and Abraham had so many possessions that the land could 
	   not support both of them without strife (13:5-6).
		1. In order to eliminate this strife, Abraham asked Lot 
		   to settle in the land of his choice, leaving the other 
		   land for Abraham's flocks (13:5-9).
		2. Lot chose the fertile land in the valley of Jordan 
		   (13:12; 14:12), even though its inhabitants were 
		   extremely wicked.
		3. He settled in Sodom, a city with less than 10 right-
		   eous people (18:17-32).
	B. In accordance with their arrangement, Abraham moved west 
	   (13:10-12). 


II. Abraham Rescued Lot (Gen. 14)

	A. Lot was captured while living in Sodom during the battle of 
	   the kings, but was rescued by Abraham (14:1-16).
	B. Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek (14:18-24).
		1. Melchizedek was the king of Salem and the priest of 
		   God.
		2. Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe (14:20).
		3. In the book of Hebrews, Christ is said to be a priest 
		   "after the order of Melchizedek" (Heb. 5:7; 7:1-28; 
		   Ps. 110:4).

	Principles:
		1. Abraham's attitude was commendable.  He was unselfish 
		   and concerned about the needs of others.
		2. Physical separation may be necessary to avoid strife.
		3. Abraham was a great man, but he recognized the great-
		   ness of Melchizedek.


III. Lot Escaped From Sodom (Gen. 19:1-29)

	A. God told Abraham of Sodom's impending doom (Gen. 18:16-33).
	B. The men of Sodom were wicked (19:1-11).  This caused Lot 
	   much grief (2 Pet. 2:7,8).
	C. Angels of the Lord came to rescue Lot and his family.
	D. Lot and his family treated the angels' warning lightly.
		1. Lot's sons-in-law thought he was joking (19:14).
		2. When it was time to flee, Lot hesitated.  It was 
		   necessary for the angels to seize Lot and his family 
		   and bring them out of the city (19:15-20).
	E. When the angels brought them out of the city, they told 
	   them, "Escape for your life."
	F. Lot did not want to flee to the mountains, so he was 
	   allowed to go to the city of Zoar.
	G. Lot's wife disobeyed in looking back and became a pillar 
	   of salt.
	

IV. Lot Sinned (Gen. 19:30-38)

	A. Lot and his daughters moved into the mountains.
	B. Lot became drunk with wine. In his drunkenness, he unknow-
	   ingly fathered two children by his daughters.  These two 
	   children became the fathers of the Moabites and the 
	   Ammonites.

	Principles:
		1. God's judgment is sure.
		2. People do not always take God's warnings serious-
		   ly.
		3. Living in an evil environment is not pleasant.
		4. Good men can fall into sin.


Questions:

 1. Discuss Lot's decision to live in Sodom.  Was it self-centered?  
    Was it wise?
 2. Even though Lot sinned, it appears that he tried to live a right-
    eous life.  How did the sinfulness of Sodom affect him?  Did he 
    speak out against sin (Gen. 19:7)?
 3. How did Lot and his family respond to the warning to leave Sodom?
 4. How does obedience or sin affect a nation (Prov. 14:34)?  Had God 
    destroyed evil cultures in the past?  If so, give an example.  Can 
    He destroy evil nations today?
 5. As Abraham pleaded on behalf of the immoral cities, how did he 
    show humility and reverence to God (Gen. 18:27, 30, 32)?
 6. Many times, evil cities are identified with the legacy of Sodom.  
    In the verses below, identify the evil city or nation, and list 
    reasons why it is compared to Sodom.
    Deut. 32:32 (Hint: Deut. 31:14-29; 32:5-9, 20-21, 28)
    Jer. 23:14 (See also Jer. 23:2, 11, 13, 15, 17)
    Ezek. 16:48-49 (Hint: Ezek. 16:1-3, 15-22, 31, 51)
    Rev. 11:8 (Hint: Mk. 10:33; Lk. 13:33-34; Acts 2:14, 36; 13:27; 
       8:1; 21:13)
 7. Why is the priesthood of Melchizedek superior to the priesthood 
    of the tribe of Levi (Heb. 7:1-10)?