Genesis 2:7, 1:26-27

Genesis 18-19                  Steps Down to Destruction              – The Bible Teaching Commentary

Debate: Why was Sodom Destroyed? (Genesis 19)


Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,
Homosexuals (1 Corinthians 6:9)

arsen (left side) = from man or male

coitus (right side)= literally bed; cohabitation; sleeping together

The Debate: Sodomites vs. the Conservatives

Issue: Sodomites claim Sodom was not destroyed for its sodomy.

1. Is it sodomy (homosexuality)?

We are not wrong to observe that sodomy stood out in Sodom as one of their sins. Note these two references:

"He urged them strongly” (Genesis 19:3)

“He rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men.” (2 Peter 2:7)

"Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them.” (Genesis 19:5)

• Sodomy (homosexuality) was one of Sodom’s sins.

These men were sodomites of the worse kind. They were rapists. But this extremism is exactly what we find in our society when sodomy is accepted. Sodomy along with other sexual sins always devalues the ones they abuse. It is well known that some who have got a deadly disease continue to have sexual experiences, passing their sentence of death on to others. This might not be typical but it is real just as we see in Sodom's case.

They live by desires and not by principle. Once the culture drops its protection, they leap forward in their abuse of others. Examine the problem of child abuse!

If you can't speak out against a sin, then your heart is already bound.

Homosexuality is a sin, but it does not survive by itself. Sodomy lives only among people with hardened hearts, and it would be foolish to think that would be there only sin. Note the sins listed above. We are not wrong to observe that sodomy stood out in Sodom as one of their sins. Note these two references:

Steps Down to Destruction (Genesis 18-19)

The Story of Sodom & Gomorrah: The Demise of Cultures
A) The Appearing to Abraham: Two Purposes (Genesis 18)
B) The Appearing in Sodom: Two Purposes (Genesis 19)
C). Debate: Why was Sodom Destroyed? (Genesis 19)

1) Gen 19:3 "He urged them strongly." This combined with the following incident shows that Lot knew what the men of the city would do to anyone who camped out in the square of their walled cities. They were trapped and sexually abused. Lot could not tolerate it and risked his own life by insisting that they stay in his own home. The custom to protect a guest in ones home even with his own life if necessary. We can see this is where Lot's righteousness stood up. He liked the comforts of the city but hated the abuse. Later we see it again when he stands out in front of the crowd of lusty men protecting his guests.

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2) Genesis 19:5 does not cover up their request, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them." There is no doubt that these men were sodomites! They even refused Lot's daughters because they wanted the men. We should see here that we see more than sodomy with consenting adults. These men were rapists of the worse kind. They would look out for the vulnerable and take advantage of them.

Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw it (Ezekiel 16:49).

We need to be careful to think that God is only against sodomy. Homosexuality is a sin, but it does not survive by itself. Sodomy lives only among people with hardened hearts and it would be foolish to think that would be there only sin. Note the sins listed above.

And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere--this was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah--like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. (Genesis13:10 ).

What does the New Testament say about sodomy?

The King James Version of the Bible does not even mention homosexuals in the passage cited by the religious right.? (1 Corinthians 6:9)

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. (1 Cor 6:9)

We need to be careful to think that God is only against sodomy. Homosexuality is a sin, but it does not survive by itself. Sodomy lives only among people with hardened hearts, and it would be foolish to think that that one kind of sin would live by itself. Note the sins listed above. Notice how the Apostle Paul showed the decline of a culture in Romans 1.

THE CYCLE OF DECLINE

For Individuals

For Societies


Romans 1:23-38 The Decline of Personal MoralsThe way people treat their bodies says a lot about how they think about truth.

Summary

  • Abraham’s love for city comforts needed to be purged from him.
  • Lot’s love for the city led to spiritual decline and blindness.
  • Open homosexuality is a sign of a degenerate 'culture.'
  • Only revival can reverse the trend bringing God’s judgment.


The Genesis Index

Genesis Introduction:  Introduction to Genesis |  Outline and Genealogies  |  Genesis' Chronologies (5 & 11) |   Unified Themes of Genesis
Genesis 1-2:3:   The Worship of the Creator |  The Meaning of Creation  |  Creation Lessons on God.  |  God and the World's Religions
Genesis 2:4-17:    Preparation for Man (Genesis 2:4-6) |  Creation of Man (Gen. 2:7, 1:26-27) |  Purpose for Man (Genesis 2:8-17)
Genesis 2:18-25: The Foundations of Marriage
Genesis 3:1-13: The Fall of Man | Temptation (Genesis 3:1-6) | The Fall (Genesis 3:7-13) | Questions 3:1-6 | Questions 3:7-13
Genesis 5-9: Genesis Flood | Genesis 05 Genealogical Chart
Genesis 10-11: Noah's Sons| Questions | History Genesis 10:6-11 | Tower of Babel Genesis 11:1-9 | Questions | Culture Genesis 11
Genesis 12-22:   The Call: Genesis 12.1The Promises: Genesis 12.2-3  |  The Means: Genesis 15The Testing: Genesis 22
Genesis 12-16: Introduction |   Place Detour: Genesis 12:10-20; 20 |  Person Detour: Genesis 12:13-14Procedure Detour: Genesis 16-17
Genesis 14:1-24: Three Steps to Spiritual Growth | #1 Observe | #2 Utlilitize | #3 Secure
Genesis 18-19: Cultural Woes of Sodom | Appearing to Abraham | Visit to Sodom | Debate of Homosexuality and Sodom
Genesis 21-26: Isaac's Model for Godly Marriages
Genesis 27-36: Genesis 27-36 Jacob's Life of Faith
Genesis 25-37: Influence of Sin | God and Man's Sin | Understanding Man's Sin Nature | Understanding Jacob's Sins
Genesis 37-50: Joseph’s Dillusonment | Genesis 42-47:12: The Big Picture | Conclusion | The Reason


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Biblical Foundations for Freedom



Rev. Paul J. Bucknell

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