The Wickedness of Sodom Confirmed

Genesis 19:1-11

Lot had originally separated from Abraham because their herds were competing for the same forage. Lot had chosen the best land for himself, and began to move toward Sodom. When the two angels arrived in Sodom, they found Lot sitting in the gate of the city. Because of the walls around the cities, everyone coming into the city had to pass through the gates. Those trying to attain political or financial advantage would sit in the gate of the city to make themselves known. That Lot was sitting in the gate implies he aspired to gain a better position in the city.

“And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.” (Genesis 19:1-3)

Genesis 13:13 describes the attitude of the people of Sodom. “But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” Lot was definitely troubled by the attitude and actions of the Sodomites, according to II Peter 2:8. “(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)” Undoubtedly, he convinced himself that he could raise the standards if he gained enough prestige. Knowing the wickedness , he insisted that the two men, the angels, not spend the night on the streets as they would have in other cities of the day.

“But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.” (Genesis 19:4-5)

The angels had been seen when they came into the city. Sexual perversion was so prevalent that the men of the city came to Lot’s house demanding to gang rape the two men. They could care less whether the two angels wanted to or not, caring only about their own desires. They had no clue they were angels, since they had no wings or halos.

“And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.” (Genesis 19:6-8)

Lot knew homosexuality was wicked, stating that the men were staying in his house for protection against that very thing. As a substitute, he offered to let them rape his two daughters instead. While he still has a moral standard, it has clearly been corrupted by constant association with the men of Sodom. As I Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” Although he considered himself better than the Sodomites, his standard was not much better.

“And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.” (Genesis 19:9)

Selfish and wicked people become incensed when they don’t get their way and will do almost anything to get it. A child throwing a temper tantrum is developing the same wicked attitude. The men of Sodom accused Lot of thinking he was better than them and threatened to treat him even worse than what they intended to do to the two men. They became violent in their attempts to force their way in.

“But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.” (Genesis 19:10-11)

God knew what the men of Sodom were like, but he would not condemn them without making sure according to Genesis 18:20-21. “And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.” Clearly they were just as bad as he thought. The angels pulled Lot inside, but that didn’t stop them so they caused them all to be blind. Even that didn’t stop them, but they couldn’t find the door to break in. Wickedness sees only it’s own goals.