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Bible Study Online ArticleLocated at the Bottom of Page If you've been following along, you would know that throughout the last couple of articles, we'd learned -- that Abraham had tried awfully hard, when it came to trying to get the Lord, to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
For we would find, that through prayer, and reasoning, Abraham had convinced God -- to leave the two wicked cities standing. But also know, that God would only do this, if He could at least -- find ten righteous people that had lived from within the two cities. But there was a problem with the proposal, that Abraham had put forth? For the proposal, dealt with God finding at least ten righteous people, and if God wasn't able to find the ten righteous people that was needed -- then the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah wouldn't be spared from God's wrath of judgement. For we must remember, that this is what the Lord had agreed to, when Abraham was interceding on Sodom and Gomorrah's behalf: "Then [Abraham] said, 'May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found [in Sodom]?' [God] answered, 'For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.'" -- Genesis 18:32 So like I'd stated earlier, God couldn't find the ten righteous people that He had agreed to, when it came to sparing the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. And because of this, God would hold true to His Word, when it came to destroying the two cities. However, in spite of that, we would soon learn -- that there was one group that was spared, from God's wrath of judgement, and that fortunate group -- just so happened to be: Lot, his two daughters and his wife. Now while were here, first let me point out, that I find it very interesting -- that Lot was so attached to the comforts of this world, that while he was in the midst of God's destructive wrath, and the wicked chaos of Sodom and Gomorrah -- Lot still had the sense of mind, to try to bargain with the angels, that were ordered -- to save him, before they'd destroyed the cities. Also know, that Lot did not want to go up into the very mountains, that the angels had told him to go. But instead, Lot wanted to go, and seek safety, in the nearby town that was known as -- Zoar. And personally, I find Lot's situation, as a strong testament, that deals with the power of praying to God. For you must understand, that Lot would've perished in those cities, along with the men of Sodom -- if it had not been, for the prayers of Abraham. But I digressed... However, we now find that Lot was able to bargain with the angels. And because of Abraham's prayer, the angels would grant Lot's request, when it came to him going to the small town -- that was known as "Zoar". Instead of him, and his family, going to the mountains that he was supposed to have gone to in the first place. Also note, that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, was actually delayed -- until Lot and his family had reached the small town of Zoar. Now it's at this point, that we find that the sun had risen across the land, and that God -- had begun to rain down burning sulfur unto the two cities, overthrowing them, and destroying the cities entire plain -- and its vegetation. And all those people, who were living in the two cities, had perished. Now while all of this was going on, the Sacred Record reveals, that Lot's wife would end up disobeying God -- by turning around to look back at the destruction of the two cities. And it would also be at this point, that the Sacred Record confirms, that when she'd laid her eyes upon the wrath of the Almighty God -- she would be turned into a pillar of salt: "But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt." -- Genesis 19:26 Now as the day would pass, know that we're now entering into another, and this is where we would find Abraham awakening from his sleep. Also know that it's now early in the morning, and it's at this point, that Abraham had decided to go and return to the place where he had spoken to the angel of the Lord. For he was still very concern about the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Now as Abraham would look out towards these cities, it would be at this time, that he would see a dense dark smoke -- that was rising throughout the entire land. And it would also be at this time, that he'd just realized, that the cities were not spared. And honestly, there are times, I wonder how Abraham must have felt at that particular time -- while he was looking down at the two destroyed cities? For we'd learned earlier, that he had pleaded, and tried bargaining with God the day before -- when it came to the two cities being spared, for the righteous sake. I mean after all, Abraham had thought, that there should've been at least ten righteous people -- that could have been found living from within the two cities. For one could have also assumed, that Abraham, perhaps -- had his nephew Lot on his mind, while he was pleading with the Lord, when it came to Sodom and Gomorrah. For one would also think, that from within Lot's family alone, that there should've been at least ten righteous people? But unfortunately for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, this was not the case. And so therefore, the two cities were destroyed. But also know, that what Abraham could not see, is just how powerful his prayer to God -- really turned out to be? For we find that with the divine petition, that Abraham had boldly put forth before the Lord, he was able to get God to alter his plans (somewhat) -- when it came to judging the two cities. For God remembered the conversation, that He had with Abraham, and so therefore -- the righteous in this case, did not suffer because of the wicked. And although Lot wasn't living in the ways of the Lord, perhaps his heart was in the right place, and this could be the reason why he was still spared? Know that this is a powerful lesson that we can learn from, when it comes to the prayers that we send up to God? And although at times, we don't recognize what we thought, we would see from our prayer request -- doesn't mean, that God isn't working on fulfilling them, within His own way. Be that as it may, let's take a moment to look at Lot's wife? For it would seem, in a natural sense, that her punishment was rather harsh? But understand, that we must remember, that it was initially God's plan to destroy everything that was associated with Sodom and Gomorrah. And make no mistake, the only reason why Lot's wife had a chance to be spared, dealt with the fact -- that she was, Lot's wife. Know that, if it had not been for the powerful prayer request that Abraham had presented before the Lord, she would not have had that chance to begin with. Now with that being stated, what did Lot's wife do with her second chance, that had been gifted towards her? I tell what she did, for she unfortunately, continued to disobey God -- by looking back at a place, that she'd perhaps, longed for. And personally, I have no doubt that she possibly had friends, and some material things, that were back in the city of Sodom. It's also possible, that Lot's wife had second guessed her decision to leave, thinking that maybe -- the city of Sodom would somehow survive? I for one could see her thinking to herself, that maybe she didn't have to leave everything and everyone, that she knew and cared so much about? Understand that this example of Lot's wife, is just how we are in the world today? For most of us, have second guessed, and doubted our eternal salvation -- and this why we take risky chances, by constantly putting our dedication to the Lord on the back burner, for the people and the material things of this world. But know that we must be careful, because one day, we could find ourselves in the same position as Lot's wife -- and because of this, we could easily miss our chance for eternal life, because we couldn't let go of the people and the things of this world. I hope and pray, that we don't make the mistake of being like Lot's wife, for there's simply too much at stake. Oh my Heavenly Father, help us to be brave, courageous, and strong enough -- to turn from our wicked and worldly ways. Give us the needed insight, and understanding, that would cause us to have the desire to be transformed into what you have called us to be. For we're a rare treasure, and Father, we owe everything to You -- for all that we are, and continue to become. Thank you God, for everything that you have poured into us, for you are my precious Lord. Now I ask these things of You, in Jesus mighty name -- Amen. Now that God had destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. And now that we also know (thanks to Abraham), that God had spared Abraham's nephew Lot, and his daughters from His wrath. In the next article we'll find out, just how Lot and his daughters, were doing in the town of Zoar. Was it what Lot thought it would be, or perhaps, something much different? The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men **YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE** Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty 10) Abraham the Father of a Multitude 11) Sarah the Mother of Nations 13) Abraham Bargains for Sodom 14) Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed 15) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE-> 17) Abimelech Angry with Abraham 
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