I have a question for discussion that I was thinking about as I read the part where God rains down sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah. Do you think it's possible to live in a place like Sodom and Gomorrah and not be affected by it?
My answer is no, but I'm curious to hear what others have to say. I think about Jesus' prayer that his followers would be in the world but not of the world, but the state of S&G is so extreme that I don't think it's possible for a person to walk away untarnished. Interestingly enough, Genesis doesn't say what God thought about Lot's daughters sleeping with him (an idea that was conceived from their town of origin, perhaps??). The children born through the despicable act, however, form the Moabites and the Ammonites, which are both tribes that the Israelites are later on told not to join with in marriage. Maybe that is our indication that the girls' decision to wine and dine their father was far less than honorable to God.
Another interesting thought from this reading is the phrase is 21:1, "the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised." It is yet another reminder that God does follow through with his promises. What an important thing to remember during those times when we feel as though he has left us high and dry.
With Seth, I would have to agree. I don’t think it is possible to remain untarnished, as he put it, when you are completely immersed this kind of mayhem. If you don’t grow accustom to such a lifestyle and join in, then it is very difficult not to grow bitter or fearful or some other un-Godly byproduct of the situation. However, it must be pointed out here that Lot was a righteous man (the reason his life was spared) and his daughters, at the time the angels appeared on the scene, had not “known” any man. It is possible that even though Lot lived among these people, he still tried to rear his family in the ways of the Lord. It is possible that they just were caught up in the despair of losing their home, their mother, moving from town to town, and then being stuck in cave indefinitely. I think this may have been another case of a irrational woman taking things into her own hands instead of waiting on God’s will, rather than a matter of lustful desires. Maybe they were trying to get even with Lot for offering to throw them out into the street with the evil mob (just kidding). But still – like, totally gross!
Can you imagine having to be a Moabite or an Ammonite and having that shame on you as you grew up? I personally battle the shame of the family name I bare. I’m excited to say God will still except and use the Ammonite or Moabite who turns to Him, even though their earthly heritage is seeped in filth. Stay tuned for the book of Ruth!