The Goofy World of Sodom, and Its Firery End

Hey gang, here we go with Chapter 19.  This is for the study on June 21.

As you read over the chapter, try to not to furrow your brow and frown...I dare you, try it.  You may also find yourself squinting lopsidedly in confusion.  If you don't do either of these things, go back, read it again, but more slowly this time.

Here are some questions that I have, I'm sure you will have scads of your own.  And there are links in these for those of you who missed that in the last page.

• Where is Lot when the angels arrive?  What does that mean?  Why would he be there?
• He recognizes the men, and is hospitable to them.  It says he "urged them strongly".  Look up this word in the Blue Letter Bible:  patsar.  Where else besides verse 3 does this occur in chapter 19?
• Read verse 4 in as many translations as you have.  Where were these guys from?  
• Lot now has given up nomad life.  He has a house, a wife and two daughters.  Where did the wife have to come from?
• What is Lot's solution to the problem of the mob at his door?  What are the odds that this is some sort of cultural hospitality tradition?  How effective is it?
• What does the men's response to Lot indicate about his duties at the gate?
• Read verse 11 in several versions.  What effect did the blindness caused by the angels have?
• Who is Lot to gather?  How many does he gather?
• Why were the angels sent there?  Who's going to destroy Sodom?
• If someone comes up to you and tells you to get out of Fernley because God's about to destroy it, how long would it take you to be elsewhere?
• How long does it take Lot and his family to get their collective "stuff" together?
• After a night with a mob of sexual deviants, news that your city is about to be destroyed, and condescending sons-in-law, as dawn breaks, why does Lot and his family hesitate?
• Why do the angels work so hard to save Lot and his uncooperative family?
• What does Lot re-negotiate with the angels?
• With fire at their backs, and destruction all going on behind them, Lot's wife still looks back.  When have you given something dangerous to you, but difficult to give up, a second glance?
•  According to verse 29, why did God show Lot such mercy?
• After all the destruction has passed, where does Lot go?  Where might have been a better, possibly wiser option to go?  What are some reasons he didn't return to his uncle?
• The nameless daughters have an idea to prolong their family line.  What is the rationale?
• What is the result of these "solutions"?  Read Deuteronomy 2:8-19.  And then read Deuteronomy 23:1-4.  Even though they are given territory by God, among what groups does He regard them as far as worship is concerned?

There is a lot more than we may be able to cover in one session, and I hope you will have questions of your own.  We'll plan on getting as far as we comfortably can, and then skip the following Thursday (June 28).  We'll still be meeting at the Paxton's on Saturday at about 6 or so for food, fellowship, and stars.

I look forward to seeing you Thursday!

Taking Care of Family Business

I said this last week, this is a fun chapter.  Genesis 14 has lots of difficult names which I encourage you to look up at the Strongs Concordance website (click here to reach).  You will need to go one step beyond the page at the link to find each name, and then come back with the Strongs number.  I know it's a pain, and if you have a way to get the Strongs number more easily, then do that (like an AMG Word Study Bible or something). Names are interesting pieces of Scripture, and without checking on what they mean, you miss detail that might help understand the passage.

As we have seen a good map helps too.  I have included one from an 1854 Bible textbook below.  You may find better ones elsewhere.

As you read, consider the following:

• Which king is in charge of the campaign against the Jordan River Valley?
• Why did they choose to attack this region?
• In verses 5 and 6, how many of these peoples actually is heard from again in Scripture?
• Do you think battling the other kings before the Joran River Valley Gang (JRVG) helped or hindered the kings of the east?
• Read verse 10 in as many different versions as you can.  What's your best understanding of what happened?
• After defeating the JRVG, what did the kings of the east do, and why?
• Where was Lot living now?
• Look at a map of Canaan.  How far did the "refugee" run from the battle to find Abram?
• Why do you think Abram wastes no time in pursuing the kings of the east?
• Who is this Melchizadek person?  Where is Salem?  Look at this article.  Basically, we don't know who Melchizedek was, but the possibilities are interesting.
• Consider Abram's response to the king of Sodom.  How does Lot seem different here?

That should be more than enough to think through.  I'm never going to remember all this stuff on Thursday, so I hope you guys take notes and bring them with you.

I have enjoyed this so much so far.  I hope you all have as well.  I look forward to this Thursday!