Chapter 18: A Terrible Judgment

Genesis 19  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 5
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Genesis 19
In the beautiful plain where Lot lived there was nice grass to feed cattle, and also five cities, among them two named Sodom and Gomorrah. Those people were very bad. God had said He would go down to see. Two angels in the form of men came to Sodom one evening when Lot was sitting in the gate. Seeing the angels he arose and asked them into his house for the night. At first the angels said, “No.” But Lot pressed them. As the people knew that these men were staying in Lot’s house, they came, wanting to break down the door to hurt them. Lot went out and said, “I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.” Do you think those bad men would stop doing such things? No. So the men pulled Lot back into the house, and made their eyes blind, so they could not find the door.
“And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons-in-law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law” (Gen. 19:12-1412And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 13For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it. 14And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. (Genesis 19:12‑14)). They did not believe, nor leave Sodom. They thought Lot was jesting.
In the morning, the angels hurried Lot and told him to get up, take his wife and two daughters or they would be destroyed in the city. And while he was slow, these two angels took their hands, for God was kind to him, and led them outside the city, and said, “Escape for thy life, look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain.” But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:3232Remember Lot's wife. (Luke 17:32)).
After Lot was saved, God rained upon Sodom and Gomorrah sulphur and fire out of heaven. The people of Sodom had seen the angels, but they did not know that judgment would come so soon. And although Lot’s sons-in-law were told, they did not believe. In the morning people ate, drank, planted and built as usual, until suddenly they were destroyed.
Think of Lot’s sons-in-law, as they saw the sulphur and fire falling from heaven, how did they feel? Then, even though they believed Lot’s word, it was too late! Dear friends! there is a more terrible judgment coming for those who neglect the gospel of the Lord Jesus. There is no other way (John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). If Lot’s sons-in-law had believed they would have had life, but they did not believe, so they were burnt up.
Today you may choose. Tomorrow may be too late.