Genesis
chapter 19 is a pitiful reminder to us of the danger of compromising
God’s righteousness. Remember Lot had chosen to “pitch his tent
toward Sodom”, but now as the two angels approach we see “Lot
is sitting in the gateway to the city“,
meaning of course, he had become a part of the city leadership.
After inviting these two visitors to his home, Lot feeds them. We
don’t know if Lot is aware of their identity, or if he is just
observing the cultural norm of honoring his guests, but Lot is soon
forced to protect these two angels. “all
of the men from every part of the city of Sodom- both young and
old-surrounded the house. They called out to Lot, “where are
the men that came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we
may have sex with them“.
What violence and depravity! We are told Lot goes out to reason
with them, first he begs them not to do this, then shockingly Lot
offers the crowd his virgin daughters instead. But the crowd just
ridicules Lot, “Get
out of our way…This man came as an alien, now he wants to play
judge! We’ll treat you worse than them“.
The compromise in his life has destroyed his credibility and his
testimony. He has become a joke. This is a lesson for us as well,
when our words do not line up with our actions, we lose the ability
to deliver God’s promises.
The
two angels pull Lot to safety and struck the men who were at the door
with blindness. Then the two angels asked Lot, “do
you have anyone else here- sons-in-law, sons, daughters?“.
Lot then goes to speak to the two men that are engaged to his two
daughters and warns them about the destruction that is immanent, but
again we see the complete failure Lot has been in his example and
they think he is joking. Sadly, Lot’s time in Sodom brought no one
to the knowledge of God. We even have to wonder if Lot also had sons
and other daughters since the angels specifically asked. Author Greg
Harris even assumes the reason Abraham settled for 10 righteous in
the city to spare it from judgment is because he knew Lot and his
immediate family were 10. If Lot were only able to keep his family
in line Sodom would have been spared. Instead Lot’s children learn
his compromising ways and are lost too. Two times the angels have to
tell Lot and his wife “Hurry
and get out of this place“.
It is clear they are reluctant to leave even though they know it
will be judged! The angels have to drag them out of the city. They
are instructed “Flee
for you lives! Do not look back“.
We are also told, “Lots
wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt“.
The term could also be interpreted “turned back”. Either
way her heart was back in Sodom and she too was destroyed. Many of
us have old habits and old behavior we are not ready to give up. But
God tells us not to play with sin. To repent means to turn away from
our sin. In Luke chapter 17 Jesus is teaching about His second
coming and he warns us to be ready. He also warns us to “Remember
Lots wife“.
The
chapter ends with Lot’s two daughters getting their father drunk and
sleeping with him. Both daughters have sons and both of these sons
become nations that torment the nation of Israel (the Ammonites and
the Moabites). In spite of the riches and success Lot had in
business, his life and family end in ruin and disgrace. Thankfully
we do not have to maintain righteousness on our own. In Romans
chapter 6, the apostle Paul makes the point that once we accept Jesus
as Savior, we are made righteous before God. The chapter closes with
a wonderful reminder, “But
now you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God,
the benefit you reap leads to holiness and the result is eternal
life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal
life in Jesus Christ our Lord“.
What a joy to know we have eternal life to look forward to. What a
greater joy to share that with others. Can you pass the Lot Test?