“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." Genesis 18:19 NIV
Our church is doing a Chronological read through of the Bible this year. This is the second time doing this for me. The first time was 2020. That seems so long ago. Why am I doing it again with my church family? I was amazed at how each of my readings were a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. God led me daily in this study as a husband, father and pastor. God’s Word shined His perspective on my current events. Today in my reading time was no different. While reading the story of Lot, Sodom and Gomorrah, I saw something that I had learned not too long ago from another Bible teacher dealing with the subject of lawlessness. That truth partnered with what God showed me in this story as it relates to our current events in America, I believe gives us direction and hope.
The story is found in Genesis 19. There are two angels sent by God to rescue Lot from the soon coming destruction. God in chapter 18 gave Abraham the 411 on what He was about to do to Sodom because of the sin that had become an outcry to God. Sodom was about to be destroyed. This caused Abraham to stand in the gap for Lot who lived with his family in Sodom and plead God’s mercy. Lot can thank Abraham for his houseguests. While the angels are getting familiar with their guestroom, the men of the city come to the house and demand that Lot throw these visitors out into the street so these men could have sex with them. Now this wasn’t just a few guys who had too much to drink and caved to their depraved mind. The Bible says that this was a group of men, both young and old. Pay attention to that. This means they were mentoring generations in this type of perversion and crime. But it doesn’t stop there... the Bible goes on to say in Genesis 19:4, “...all the people to the last man surrounded the house.”. This was a riot, not a protest. Now not every man was there literally, but enough to cause the angels to bring out the big guns and blind the lawless rioters and a spoil their plans.
When I read this story, the first question that came to my mind was, “Where is the law?” Where was the justice that met the crowd and said no, you cannot do this? Where was the discipline that brought consequence to bad actions and set the example? Where was the law? In Sodom the law was standing at Lot’s door. In fact, when Lot pleaded with the mob to not do this, they lashed out in anger accusing Lot of trying to be their judge. The Law was the mob. We have seen this play out so many times this past year and even yesterday at our nation’s capitol. Good causes hijacked by lawless people with little justice confronting it. It is toxic and dangerous and wrong.
Sodom was destroyed because there was no law being upheld. No check against immorality and crime. Eventually something happened that was not good for a lot of people. (Excuse the pun) America will be no different if things do not change. What is happening in our nation is not good for anyone, even those is political power. If it is established with deceit, fraud or greed for power, it will not end well. When crime and lawlessness go unchecked for one group, eventually it catches up to all groups. So, what are we to do? Protest more? Complain? Watch more endless cycles of news and twitter blabber? God showed me the long-term solution. Let me share it with you.
Go back to the mob of men. Young and old. There was a breakdown in society that destroyed the city. Older men were not mentoring younger men to be better and make a change for the good. Who have we mentored in our churches that are making an impact in our nation today? Just recently a well-known “Celebrity” pastor was fired for a moral failure. First of all, what is a “Celebrity” pastor? Or better yet, what is a “Mega” church? Where, in the church world, did we get these job descriptions and identities that have caused a generation to run from the Church or create their own woke social media channel? How has the Church in America influenced culture? Have we mentored generations to blend or to be peculiar? Studies prove that we have not taught accurate history of our nation or the Bible both containing good and bad of people who are... well.... people. Have we mentored a generation to be comfortable and protected or adventurous with their faith? Have we sent our children to college knowing who they are in Christ or have we sent them unprepared to the indoctrination stations that has redefined the country we call home? Is it any wonder why we are where we are in America?
As I look at this story in Genesis and in our nation today, I see one big truth. Lawlessness and Righteousness have leaders. They both have mentors, and one side is doing a better job than the other. What we are seeing in our nation is a by product of failed mentoring of a generation that can be better. The solution to our problem in America is not the justice system or the political system alone. It is the Church! In this hour I believe God is sharing with us what is happening, and we better have the spiritual backbone to respond. It is time to get back into the home with God’s Word. It is time for the Church House to be the Light House again. It is time that prayer become more than a 21-day focus at the beginning of the new year and part of the fabric of our everyday lives. It is time to come back into worship with fellow believers so we can encourage one another in our FAITH! I believe we are in our Genesis 18 moment. God is letting us know what He hears and sees and is sharing it with us. We need mentors, intercessors and warriors who will be of the same reputation of Abraham. “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him." Genesis 18:19 NIV