Genesis 18-19
Who is it about? God or us?
“The Lord appeared to Abraham...”
Genesis 18:1 Just let that thought sink in for a moment: The Lord
appeared to Abraham. Visits from the Almighty were a
regular occurrence for Abraham, much different than our experience
today. What was Abraham's response? Did he recognize who these
visitors were? Who were they?
After tending to their needs (washing
their feet, feeding them, giving them rest) the visitors ask about
Sarah. Where was she? They reiterated again God's promise of a
son. What was Sarah's response? Why was her laugh rebuked when
Abraham's was accepted? (Abraham responded in faith, Sarah
responded with doubt and distrust.)
God includes Abraham into His council
and tells him of His plans to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Why
do you think God would have discussed the matter with Abraham? Was
God needing advice? What was Abraham's request? Why do you think God
chose to grant it?
The angels were sent ahead to
Sodom – what did they discover? What was the response of the future
sons-in-law? (Verse 19: 14 “thought he was joking”) Was God just
in destroying the cities? Explain...
The angels woke the family early in the
morning and granted them escape. Why had Lot not left before morning? Why would he be hesitant to leave? Lot pleads to change the
requirements of the escape, and the angels consent and allow them to
only flee as far as the nearest town of Zoar to make it easier on the
family. Lot's wife looks back (ignoring the angel's command not to)
and is turned to a pillar of salt.
We see that even though Lot's family
just saw the result of sin first hand, and the serious consequences
of it, within a matter of (probably days to weeks) there is more
sexual sin already manifested in their lives. The sins of the
father/culture had certainly passed along to the children. How
does our culture compare to that of Sodom and Gomorrah? Do you see
any similarities? What is the core of the sin that abounds in our
country? (The denial of God leads to depraved, unchecked
hearts- Romans 1:21-24, God turns us over to our sins when we refuse
Him – Sodom is the epitome of what manifested sin looks like.)
The Ammonite and Moabite tribes that
resulted have brought much strife throughout history for the nation
of Israel, but ultimately the extent of God's grace to forgive every
kind of sin, and use it for His glory, is seen through the hereditary
line of Ruth (Ruth was a Moabite who was in the ancestral line of
Jesus Christ).
If all Scripture points to Jesus
Christ and all events will ultimately glorify God, how is that seen
in this historical account? How is this account a representation of
the hope found through the gospel? (Salvation is found in
Jesus Christ alone, God is able to forgive every sin through the
atonement of Christ.)
The God of all grace is capable of
making every situation glorify His name. But this same God will not
tolerate sin. Jesus is coming soon (Revelation 22:20) and will deal
once and for all with sin. Where are you with God? Are you
ready to meet Him face to face?
Bible Study Credits: Terri Stellrecht http://howmysaviorleadsme.blogspot.com/
