Pages

November 2024
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930

Remember Lot and Remember Lot’s wife

Hymns Nos.
500 – Take Time to Be Holy
103 – O God, Our Help
416 – The Judgment Has Set
Scripture Reading: Luke 17:20-32 – Remember Lot’s wife.
Message Title: Remember Lot and Remember Lot’s wife

4004BC
The Garden of Eden, the home of our first parents, was exceedingly beautiful.
When he placed Adam and Eve in the beautiful garden of Eden, he told them to dress it and keep it.
He did this for their good, deeming employment essential to their happiness.
The Garden of Eden was an emblem of heaven and the love of God.
As it came from the Creator’s hand, not only the Garden of Eden but the whole earth was exceedingly beautiful.

Everything in nature was pure and undefiled.
Fruits, flowers, and beautiful, lofty trees flourished in the garden of Eden.
Graceful shrubs and delicate flowers greeted the eye at every turn.
The flowers exhibited their beauty and loveliness, ever giving out a fragrance grateful to the senses.
In the garden were trees of every variety, many of them laden with fragrant and delicious fruit.
The fruit was very beautiful, and apparently desirable for food.
Fruit trees bore their burden of precious treasures for the good of man.
On every tree the birds caroled forth their songs of praise to God.

One presumptuous act, one deed in disregard of God’s expressed will, lost for Adam his beautiful Eden home, and opened the floodgates of iniquity and woe upon our world.
And the lost pair in the garden of Eden, standing as criminals before the righteous Judge, waiting the sentence their transgression merited, heard the first notes of the divine promise.
Praise be to God and Jesus for that divine promise even made the angels happy.
The beautiful garden of Eden, from which our first parents had been driven, remained until God determined to destroy the earth by a flood. The Flood occurred in 2348BC, so for 1656 years the Garden of Eden remained.
The Lord had planted that garden, and especially blessed it; and in his wonderful providence he withdrew it from the earth, and will return it again, more gloriously adorned than before it was removed.
God purposed to preserve a specimen of his perfect work of creation free from the curse which sin had brought upon the earth.
Now, fast forward to Creation + 7000 years
Adam had lost Eden by disobeying the commandments of God.
He has now regained that lovely garden by repentance and faithful obedience.
The curse rested upon him for disobedience, the blessing now for his obedience.

It is impossible to describe Adam’s transports of joy as he again beholds Paradise, the garden of Eden, his once happy home, from which, because of his transgression, he had been so long separated.
He beholds the lovely flowers and trees, of every description for fruit and beauty, every one of which to designate them he had named while in his innocence.
He sees the luxuriant vines, which had once been his delight to train upon bowers and trees.
But when he again beholds the wide spread tree of life with its extended branches and glowing fruit, and to him again is granted access to its fruit and leaves, his gratitude is boundless.
He first in adoration bows at the feet of the King of glory, and then with the redeemed host swells the song, Worthy, worthy is the Lamb that was slain.
Now back to the beginning
The Garden of Eden was a representation of what God desired the whole earth to become, and it was His purpose that, as the human family increased in numbers, they should establish other homes and schools like the one He had given.
Sodom and Gomorrah were like the Garden of Eden.
The Lord had lavished His blessings upon that portion of the earth.
Everything was beautiful, everything was lovely, and yet it did not lead men to honor the Giver.

Ancient Israel was especially directed by God to be and remain a people separate from all other nations.
They were not to witness the idolatry of those about them, lest their own hearts should be corrupted, lest familiarity with ungodly practices should make them appear less wicked in their eyes.
Few realize their own weakness, and that the natural sinfulness of the human heart often paralyses our noblest endeavors.
Now, time period: c.1940BC when Terah died – 1915BC when Abram and Lot parted ways = 25 years.
Lot had been kept with Abraham’s household, and he had become so moulded that he had the same courteous spirit that Abraham manifested.
The influence of his wife and the associations of that wicked city {Sodom} would have led him to apostatize from God had it not been for the faithful instruction he had early received from Abraham.
The marriage of Lot and his choice of Sodom for a home were the first links in a chain of events fraught with evil to the world for many generations.

Lot chose Sodom for his home because he saw that there were advantages to be gained there from a worldly point of view.
But after he had established himself, and grown rich in earthly treasure, he was convinced that he had made a mistake in not taking into consideration the moral standing of the community in which he was to make his home.
We now move forward 18 years to 1897BC
“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.”
The Lord’s anger was finally kindled against the wicked inhabitants of the city, and before the time of Sodom’s overthrow, two angels of God visited Abraham and Sodom to bring forth Lot, that he should not perish in the overthrow of the city.
As they were passing on their way to Sodom, Abraham courteously entertained and accompanied them; and they revealed to the patriarch the errand for which they had come,–to destroy Sodom.
They told Abraham that because of the grievous wickedness of the inhabitants, the city was to be destroyed.
Abraham knew that Lot was in this place, and although he had been taught of God, he could not believe that the inhabitants of Sodom were so utterly corrupt.
He began to plead that the righteous should not perish with the wicked, that if a certain number of the godly were there, the city might be spared.
Pleading for the city, he decreased the number of righteous that would be likely to be found in the city, until he reached the number of ten.
But although God would have spared the city if ten righteous persons could have been found there, that number could not be made up to redeem the city.
Note the way that God works:
Angels are sent on missions of mercy to the children of God.
To Abraham, with promises of blessing; to the gates of Sodom, to rescue righteous Lot from its fiery doom;
to Elijah, as he was about to perish from weariness and hunger in the desert;
to Elisha, with chariots and horses of fire surrounding the little town where he was shut in by his foes;
to Daniel, while seeking divine wisdom in the court of a heathen king, or abandoned to become the lions’ prey;
to Peter, doomed to death in Herod’s dungeon; to the prisoners at Philippi;
to Paul and his companions in the night of tempest on the sea; to open the mind of Cornelius to receive the gospel; to dispatch Peter with the message of salvation to the Gentile stranger–
thus holy angels have, in all ages, ministered to God’s people.

Sodom was situated in a beautiful and fertile plain, and revelled in an abundance of everything that nature and art could bestow.
The inhabitants of Sodom seemed to be strangers to want and to work.
A poor man was not permitted to become an inhabitant of the city.
He was driven out by abuse, or if not driven out, was the victim of an iniquitous plan that compassed his ruin.
The people of this wicked city took no thought for the future life.
Idleness and wealth and love of excitement carried them into every excess of pleasure and indulgence.
The sensual, animal nature was cultivated, and as, like the world before the flood, the imagination of their hearts was evil, and evil continually, they set their minds to work to find out new, unnatural ways whereby they might gratify their abominable, corrupt passions.

The dwellers in Sodom were corrupt; vile conversation greeted his {Lot’s} ears daily, and his righteous soul was vexed by the violence and crime he was powerless to prevent.
His children were becoming like these wicked people, for association with them had perverted their morals.
His family connections were extensive, his children having married among the Sodomites.
Taking all these things into consideration, the worldly riches he had gained seemed small and not worth the price he had paid for them.

Human beings will taint and corrupt the earth which God has made so lovely.
If the dwellers in beautiful places do not reveal purity and virtue, if they do not love truth and righteousness, the Lord will, after a time of test and trial, let His wrath break forth upon them, because they corrupt themselves before God.

In the twilight, as the evening draws on, the men of Sodom see the two messengers approaching, drawing near to the city gate.
These men [the angels] appeared just like other men when they came.
The angels had come to see if there were any in the city who were not corrupted, and could be persuaded to flee from the impending doom that threatened Sodom.
If the veil could be removed from our eyes we should often see in the form of men, the powerful messengers of mercy or of wrath among us.
They warn, they caution, they reprove, they protect from a thousand dangers, and yet we know not that the angel’s blessing has come to us.
None could discern in those humble wayfarers the mighty heralds of divine judgment; and little dreamed the gay, careless multitude, that in their treatment of these heavenly messengers, that very night, they would reach the climax of the guilt which doomed their proud city.

As the angels draw nigh unto Sodom, only one man manifested kindly attention and an interest in the strangers.
Lot welcomed them in, invited them to his house.
Lot was ignorant in regard to the true character of these men, and knew not the terrible errand upon which they had come.
But the spirit of courtesy which he manifested was in harmony with his character; politeness and hospitality were habitual with him; they were a part of his religion– lessons that he had learned from the example of Abraham.

Had he not cultivated a spirit of courtesy, he might have been left to perish with the rest of Sodom.
Had he appeared indifferent to these strangers, he would not have secured to himself such help as only the angels can give.
Many a household, in closing its doors to strangers, have shut out God’s messengers, who would have brought blessing and hope and peace.
In neglecting the commonest duties of life, withholding kindness and courtesy and hospitality, we miss the richest blessings heaven has to bestow.

Seeing the abuse to which strangers were exposed in Sodom, Lot made it one of his duties to guard them at their entrance, by offering them entertainment at his own house.
He was sitting at the gate as the travellers approached, and upon observing them, he rose from his place to meet them, and bowing courteously, said, “Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house, and tarry all night.”
They seemed to decline his hospitality, saying, “Nay; but we will abide in the street.”
Their object in this answer was twofold–to test the sincerity of Lot, and also, to appear ignorant of the character of the men of Sodom, as if they supposed it safe to remain in the street at night.
Their answer made Lot the more determined not to leave them to the mercy of the rabble.
He pressed his invitation until they yielded, and accompanied him to his house.

He had hoped to conceal his intention from the idlers at the gate by bringing the strangers to his home by a circuitous route; but their hesitation and delay, and his persistent urging, caused them to be observed.
When the men of Sodom saw that Lot opened his doors to these strangers, that he did not treat them with derision and contempt, they were stirred with passion.
As Lot in Eastern fashion bows in deference, and invites them to share his home, they taunt and jeer.
Lot was a man of great wealth, but in showing respect to these travellers he did not meet the mind of these ease-loving Sodomites.
Before they had retired for the night, a lawless crowd gathered; they crowded about the house of Lot, and as the crowd increased, vile speeches were made which revealed the state of corruption that existed among the people, and the worst suggestions were received and acted upon.
It was an immense company, youth and aged men alike inflamed by the vilest passions.
The crowd became more clamorous in their cries to have Lot bring forth the strangers to them; for they had become so base through the indulgence of evil passions, that every good thought had been uprooted, and reason was so clouded that they would even do violence to the angels of heaven.
The strangers had been making inquiry in regard to the character of the city, and Lot had warned them not to venture out of his door that night, when the hooting and jeers of the mob were heard, demanding that the men be brought out to them.

Lot expostulated with them at his door, and refused to permit them to do violence to the strangers who were in his house.
Knowing that if provoked to violence they could easily break into his house, Lot went out to try the effect of persuasion upon them.
“I pray you, brethren,” he said, “do not so wickedly,”; using the term “brethren” in the sense of neighbours, and hoping to conciliate them and make them ashamed of their vile purposes.
But his words were like oil upon the flames.
Their rage became like the roaring of a tempest.
They mocked Lot as making himself a judge over them, and threatened to deal worse with him than they had purposed toward his guests.

The evil doers had no idea of being restrained from accomplishing their purpose, but thought to beat Lot to the ground, and get access to the strangers.
They rushed upon him, and would have torn him in pieces had he not been rescued by the angels of God.
But angels of God protected Lot from being torn in pieces by the rabble that were outside his door.
The heavenly messengers “put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.”
The events that followed, revealed the character of the guests he had entertained.
The wickedness of the inhabitants of Sodom was so great that they would have abused the men who brought this message and were entertained by Lot.
“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.”
Had they not been visited with double blindness, being given up to hardness of heart, the stroke of God upon them would have caused them to fear, and to desist from their evil work.

That night the evil doers added the last drop to their cup of iniquity, and the wrath of God could no longer be delayed.
The night of the destruction of Sodom the inhabitants of the city were doing that which they had been doing through all their past life.
They were no more base and dissolute and corrupt than on other nights when strangers had entered their city; but there is a point beyond which there is no reprieve, and that night the inhabitants of Sodom passed the mystic boundary that decided their destiny.

That last night was marked by no greater sins than many others before it; that night the evil doers added the last drop to their cup of iniquity.
The inhabitants of Sodom had passed the limits of divine forbearance–“the hidden boundary between God’s patience and His wrath.” Mercy, so long slighted, had at last ceased its pleading.
The fires of His vengeance were about to be kindled in the vale of Siddim.

After this exhibition of their wickedness, these angels opened to Lot the object of their mission; they told Lot what was their errand.
The angels revealed to Lot: “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.”
They bade Lot bring his family, his wife, and the sons and daughters who married in wicked Sodom, and told him to bring them out of the city’ to flee from the place.
“Escape for thy life,” is the warning from the angels of God.
Lot believed the word of the angels, but his family was reluctant to receive their message, for they had so long lived in sight and sound of wickedness that their senses were blunted to the grievous character of sin.
Lot had afflicted his soul for the debasing sins that the Sodomites were continually committing, and yet even he had not thought their sin was of the debasing character it was, nor deemed that it was so firmly seated as to yield to no remedy.
They asked Lot if he had any sons or daughters in that place, to bring out of the city.
The strangers whom Lot had endeavoured to protect, now promised to protect him, and to save also all the members of his family who would flee with him from the wicked city.
He begs permission of the angels to go forth and warn his daughters and sons-in-law who live in the city.
Lot was permitted to go to those of his relatives and to tell them that the city was to be destroyed, and that they must flee from it.
And Lot went out and entreated {warned} his children. He repeated the words of the angel: “Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city.”

The mob had wearied themselves out and departed {from around his house}, and Lot went out to warn his children.
He made his way through the rabble, who were prevented from injuring him by the power of the angels, and gave his message to his children.
He repeated the words of the angels, “Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city.”
But he seemed to them as one that mocked.
But all his entreaties and all his warnings were of no avail to them.
With grief and terror he begs them to leave the doomed city, and flee with him ere its destruction shall be accomplished, but they look upon him as upon one who is mad, coming to them with such a message at the midnight hour.
They laughed and mocked at what they called his superstitious fears, and think some horrible nightmare has crazed his brain.
But he seemed unto his sons-in-law as one who mocked; for they had lived so long in Sodom that they had become partakers of the sins of the people.
And the daughters were influenced by their husbands to believe that their father was mad.
They were well enough off where they were.
They could see no evidence of danger.
Everything was just as it had been.
Why, here was Sodom just as it had been, and there was no evidence in anything that their eyes beheld that led them to think that there was a destruction before them.
They were rich and had great possessions; and they could not believe it possible that beautiful Sodom, a rich and fertile country, would be destroyed by the wrath of a sin-avenging God.
They will not trouble themselves about the matter, but treat it as a joke, and these who will not receive the message, sleep on, heedless of the last warning of their lives.
The young, the frivolous, the pleasure-loving, consider these warnings as idle tales, and turn from them with a jest.
Other voices are heard saying, “Do not become excited; there is no cause for special alarm.”
Those who are at ease in Zion cry “Peace and safety,” while Heaven declares that swift destruction is about to come upon the transgressor.

Anxious and disappointed, Lot returns to his home through the rabble
Lot returned sorrowfully to the angels and repeated the story of his failure.
Angels had been sent on a special mission to save the lives of Lot and his family, but he had so long been surrounded by corrupting influences that his sensibilities were blunted, and he could not discern the works of God and his purposes; he could not trust himself in his hands to do his bidding.
But the angel, as Lot returned, was in haste and bade them flee out of Sodom.
The angels commanded him to arise, and take his wife, and the two daughters who were yet in his house and leave the city before the sun is fully risen.

It was a tremendous test for Lot.
He pitched his tent toward Sodom, and he was rich in treasures and possessions.
But he must leave it all and he must flee and he must not look behind him with a thought of regret.

But Lot delayed.
He does not feel the terrible necessity for God’s judgment to fall upon the wicked city, to put a check on sin.
Lot was sad; some of his children clung to Sodom; the thought of leaving his children and his wife, for she refused to go without them, almost broke his heart.
The angels urge his immediate departure; but Lot, stupefied with sorrow, he lingered, loath to depart.
Living in the wicked city had weakened his faith and confidence in the justice of the Lord.
Though daily distressed at beholding deeds of violence, he had no true conception of the debasing and abominable iniquity practiced in that vile city.

How hard it was for Lot to leave Sodom!
The thought that he must go without his property, it was hard to forsake his luxurious home, to go forth as a poor man, a destitute wanderer.
All the wealth he had accumulated by the labours of his whole life had to be sacrificed, all counted in vain.
Lot was, as it were, stupefied with grief at the thought of leaving those whom he held dearest on earth
It seemed more than he could bear.
Lot was paralysed by the great calamity about to occur.
He distrusted God and pleaded to remain.
Living in the wicked city had weakened his faith and confidence in the justice of the Lord.

Lot had too much of a lingering spirit.
As he lingered, God’s angels of mercy hurried Lot and his wife and daughters by taking hold of their hands, and with merciful violence hasten them out of the city.
Why, the angel said, we can do nothing until you get out of the city.

With only his wife and two children with him, the rest of his family were left behind.
They would all have perished in the terrible ruin of Sodom, had not the Lord, in His great mercy, sent His angels to the rescue.
How reluctant was Lot to obey the angel and go as far as possible from corrupt Sodom, appointed to utter destruction!
He pleaded that he could not do as he was required, lest some evil should overtake him, and he should die.
Angels were sent on a special mission to save the lives of Lot and his family, but he had so long been surrounded by corrupting influences that his sensibilities were blunted, and he could not discern the works of God and his purposes; he could not trust himself in his hands to do his bidding.
He was continually pleading for himself, and this unbelief caused the destruction of his wife.

When they reach the city limits, and just as soon as they were out of the city and on their way towards the mountain, then the angel commanded them with startling vehemence:
Flee for your lives, and tarry [stay] not in all the plain, neither to look behind them, but to escape to the mountains, lest ye be consumed.
A few moments’ delay now, a few moments of hesitancy, a few moments’ disregard of the warning, would have cost the fugitives their lives.
To cast one lingering look upon the devoted city, to tarry for one moment from regret to leave so beautiful a home, would have cost their life.
They are not even to turn their eyes back to see if their beautiful home has survived the general ruin, or the storm would have burst upon them.
God has delayed his retributive judgment only that they may escape.
What care, what tenderness, to these four who flee from the doomed city!
The storm of divine judgment was only waiting that these poor fugitives might make their escape.

Here the angels left them, and turned back to Sodom to accomplish their work of destruction.
Another–He with whom Abraham had pleaded–drew near to Lot.
In all the cities of the plain, even ten righteous persons had not been found; but in answer to the patriarch’s prayer, the one man who feared God was snatched from destruction.

As they go out they see no visible token of God’s displeasure.
Everything seems to say peace and safety.
The sun is illuminating the eastern hills with golden beams, and everything in nature seems to say peace.
But the words of the angels ring in the ears of Lot, saying, “The Lord will destroy this city.”
Unbelief did not prevent the destruction of Sodom.
Trifling and gayety did not secure its inhabitants against the doom that overtook the wicked city.
They flattered themselves that long days of indulgence in sin were yet to be theirs, but in such an hour as they thought not of, ruin encompassed them.

Lot had chosen Sodom as a home because of its rich lands and beautiful surroundings.
Lot went into Sodom rich; he left the wicked city with the loss of everything he had.
We can see that Lot made a mistake when he made his home in Sodom.
This is a lesson that we should take to heart; a lesson to parents regarding the location of their families.
It is not the most beautiful surroundings and the most fertile land that make a place desirable as a location.
God would have none of us like Lot, who chose his residence without reference to his associations.
Worldly treasure will not save one soul.

But Lot, confused, terrified and and distracted, pleaded that he could not do as he was required lest some evil should overtake him and he should die.
But why should Lot not have trusted the mercy of the angels in directing him to escape to the mountains, since he ascribed to them the saving of his life?
Lot’s stay in Sodom had not tended to increase his faith in God, nor had his intercourse with those who knew not God tended to convert them from the error of their way.
Living in that wicked city, in the midst of unbelief, his faith had grown dim.
The Prince of heaven was by his side, yet he pleaded for his own life as though God, who had manifested such care and love for him, would not still preserve him.
He should have trusted himself wholly to the divine Messenger, giving his will and his life into the Lord’s hands without a doubt or a question.
But like so many others, he endeavored to plan for himself: “Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: O, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.”

He begs to be allowed to rest at a little settlement on this side the mountains.
Lot makes the plea that he is not able to get to the mountains, and he wants to make his home this side of the mountains.
Lot asked that it might be spared, urging that this was but a small request; and his desire was granted.
Unbelief sprang up in his heart, and he said: “Oh, not so, my Lord; behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast showed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die; behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one; oh, let me escape thither (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
The city here mentioned was Bela, afterward called Zoar.
It was but a few miles from Sodom, and, like it, was corrupt and doomed to destruction.
The Lord assured him, “I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.”
Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither.
The angel bids him to hasten, because the fiery storm would be widespread and terrible.
Oh, how great the mercy and condescension are manifested by the God of heaven toward His erring creatures!
His request is heard, and his plea granted; yet how much better would it have been to heed the angel’s voice, and go to the mountains, as far as possible from the wicked city.
Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.”

“The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.”
The bright rays of the morning seemed to speak only prosperity and peace to the cities of the plain.
The stir of active life began in the streets; men were going their various ways, intent on the business or the pleasures of the day.

Again the solemn command was given to hasten, for the fiery storm would be delayed but little longer.
But one of the four fugitives ventured to cast a look backward to the doomed city, to see the coming storm, and the number is less by one; and she became a monument of God’s judgment.
The wife of Lot turned her eyes toward the city [looking] for what she had left there, and the curse of God came upon her and she was turned into a pillar of salt.
She looked back to Sodom, murmuring against the dealings of God, and was changed to a pillar of salt, that she might stand as a warning to all those who disregard the special mercies and providences of Heaven.
If Lot himself had manifested no hesitancy to obey the angels’ warning, but had earnestly and firmly fled toward the mountains, without one word of pleading or remonstrance, his wife would not have transgressed the commandment of the angels, his wife also would have made her escape and would have been at his side.
The influence of his example would have saved her from the sin that sealed her doom.
But his hesitancy and delay caused her to lightly regard the divine warning.
While her body was upon the plain, her heart clung to Sodom, and she perished with it.
She rebelled against God because His judgments involved her possessions and her children in the ruin.
Although so greatly favoured in being called out from the wicked city, she felt that she was severely dealt with, because the wealth that it had taken years to accumulate must be left to destruction.
Instead of thankfully accepting deliverance, she presumptuously looked back to desire the life of those who had rejected the divine warning.
Her sin showed her to be unworthy of life, for the preservation of which she felt so little gratitude.

Lot trod the plain with unwilling and tardy steps.
He had so long associated with evil workers that he could not see his peril until his wife stood on the plain a pillar of salt forever.
Lot dwelt but a short time in Zoar.
The angels had pointed to the mountains and bade him flee there, and he finally did.
After this terrible retribution, Lot no longer dared to linger by the way, but fled into the mountains, according to the directions of the angels.
Iniquity prevailed there as in Sodom, and he feared to remain, lest the city should be destroyed.
He did not dare to tarry in the place he had thought was a place of refuge.
He had learned by experience that the angels knew much better than he where he ought to go.

Not long after, Zoar was consumed, as God had purposed.
Lot made his way to the mountains, and abode in a cave, stripped of all for which he had dared to subject his family to the influences of a wicked city.
But the curse of Sodom followed him even here.
The sinful conduct of his daughters after leaving Sodom was the result of wicked associations while there.
The sense of right and wrong was confused in their minds, and sin did not appear as sin to them.
Its moral corruption had become so interwoven with their character that they could not distinguish between good and evil.
Later, Lot’s only posterity, the Moabites and Ammonites, were vile, idolatrous tribes, rebels against God and bitter enemies of His people.

When the first beams of the morning dawn, the inhabitants of Sodom are not aware of the departure of Lot and the angels.
The sons-in-law of Lot were making merry at the fears and warnings of the weak-minded old man.
They were determined to abuse the strangers, but as they come to the house of Lot, it is found vacant, and the hour of doom comes upon them.
Suddenly and unexpectedly as would be a thunder peal from an unclouded sky, the tempest broke.
The Lord rained brimstone and fire out of heaven upon the cities and the beautiful fruitful plain that looked like Paradise; its palaces and temples, costly dwellings, gardens and vineyards, and the gay, pleasure-seeking throngs that only the night before had insulted the messengers of heaven–all were consumed.
Lk17.29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all.
Even the little children were destroyed; for evil had been transmitted to them by their parents.
The entire city was destroyed.
The smoke of the burning [conflagration] goes up like the smoke of a great furnace, and the whole heaven is illuminated with the flames of the great conflagration.
And the fair vale of Siddim became a desolation, a place never to be built up or inhabited–a witness to all generations of the certainty of God’s judgments upon transgression.

In how wide contrast to the life of Abraham was that of Lot!
Once they had been companions, worshipping at one altar, dwelling side by side in their pilgrim tents; but how widely separated now!
Lot had chosen Sodom for its pleasure and profit.
Leaving Abraham’s altar and its daily sacrifice to the living God, he had permitted his children to mingle with a corrupt and idolatrous people; yet he had retained in his heart the fear of God, for he is declared in the Scriptures to have been a “just” man; his righteous soul was vexed with the vile conversation that greeted his ears daily and the violence and crime he was powerless to prevent.
He was saved at last as “a brand plucked out of the fire” (Zechariah 3:2), yet stripped of his possessions, bereaved of his wife and children, dwelling in caves, like the wild beasts, covered with infamy in his old age; and he gave to the world, not a race of righteous men, but two idolatrous nations, at enmity with God and warring upon His people, until, their cup of iniquity being full, they were appointed to destruction.
How terrible were the results that followed one unwise step!

The case of Lot should be a warning to all those who wish to live godly lives, to separate themselves from all influences calculated to lead them away from God.
Lot remained so long among the wicked that he was only able to save himself and two daughters, and even they were corrupted in morals by their sojourn in Sodom.
Now we can see that when Lot made his home in Sodom he made a mistake.
Here he not only lost all his positions {possessions}, but he lost his children, all but two.
This is a lesson to us that we should take to heart.
There may be very flattering openings to the children of God, but they must look on every side of the question before deciding.
The very first question with every soul of us should be, How will it be with my soul?

The flames that consumed the cities of the plain shed their warning light down even to our time.
We are taught the fearful and solemn lesson that while God’s mercy bears long with the transgressor, there is a limit beyond which men may not go on in sin.
When that limit is reached, then the offers of mercy are withdrawn, and the ministration of judgment begins.


https://bibleistrue.com/qna/pqna34.htm
Sodom
Also Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar)
The cities of the Dead Sea plain and God’s judgment by fire and brimstone.
Sodom was the primary city of a group of five Dead Sea cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar). Located to the south and east of the Dead Sea, these cities appear to have been a confederacy of separate city-states. Beyond the Bible, ancient trading records found in northern Syria, of an ancient city-state called Ebla (Tel Mardikh circa 2700-2200 B.C.), also testify to the existence of these Dead Sea cities. Not only are they listed, but they appear in the exact same order (suggesting significance) as they appear in the Biblical account. The last, or smallest city, appears only using the name Bela, showing it to be the oldest name of the city, with Zoar being supplied in the biblical account to identify its location to readers at the time of Moses.