And Lot went out, and spoke unto his sons-in-law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law.
14. married his daughters ] Better, as R.V. marg., were to marry, as Lat. qui accepturi erant. This seems more probable than the rendering of the R.V., and LXX . The verb used here means literally “the takers of.” For Lot’s daughters were in the house with him: Lot went out to find his “sons in law”: the word “sons in law” may mean “the betrothed.” If the daughters had been married, they would not have been living with Lot.
as one that mocked ] The same word in the Hebrew as that rendered “laughed” in Gen 18:12, and “sporting” in Gen 26:8. The Lat. has quasi ludens = “as one who was playing.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Gen 19:14
He seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law
Danger despised
I.
LET US ATTEND TO THE EXHORTATION ADDRESSED BY LOT TO HIS SONS-IN-LAW. THERE IS A CLOSE PARALLEL BETWEEN THEIR SITUATION AND OUR OWN.
1. We are living, like them, amongst wicked men.
2. We are exposed, like them, to Divine judgment.
3. We are plied, like them, with overtures of mercy.
II. LET US ATTEND TO THE MANNER IN WHICH THE SONS-IN-LAW OF LOT RECEIVED HIS EXHORTATION. THERE IS A CLOSE PARALLEL BETWEEN THEIR CONDUCT AND THAT OF MANY OF OURSELVES.
1. Like them, we reject as mockery the demonstration of our danger.
2. Like them, we reject as mockery the offer of a method of escape.
3. Like them, we reject as mockery all earnestness in pressing on our attention the means of deliverance.
III. LET US ATTEND TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE MANNER IN WHICH THE SONS-IN-LAW OF LOT RECEIVED HIS EXHORTATION. THERE IS A CLOSE PARALLEL BETWEEN THEIR DOOM AND OURS IF WE DIE IN A STATE OF UNBELIEF. Here we may appeal–
1. To the declarations of the Almighty.
2. To the facts of history. The old world. The cities of the plain.
3. To the dictates of reason.
4. To the attributes of God. His truth and holiness. (G. Brooks.)
Lots message to his sons-in-law: an illustration of the preachers message to the ungodly world
The context strikes several things forcibly on our attention.
1. The incongruity between the material and moral departments of existence in this world. In Sodom we find natural beauty and harmony in conjunction with moral deformity and discord.
2. The amazing power which prayer has with the Governor of the Gen 18:23-33).
3. The existence of a moral government in connection with the conduct of man.
4. The deep interest of angelic intelligences in human history.
I. LOTS MESSAGE TO HIS SONS-IN-LAW WAS ALARMING IN ITS NATURE. The Lord will destroy the city.
1. Their peril was great.
2. Their peril was the result of sin.
3. Their peril was just at hand.
4. Their peril at this moment was unavoidable.
II. HIS MESSAGE TO HIS SONS-IN-LAW WAS FOUNDED ON THE DIVINE AUTHORITY.
1. The danger of which the gospel preacher warns the unconverted is not a dream of his own; it is a fact of Divine revelation.
2. The proclamation of this danger to the unconverted is not optional on the preachers part; he is bound by heaven to do it
III. His MESSAGE TO HIS SONS-IN-LAW WAS SCEPTICALLY RECEIVED.
1. The appearance of things remaining unchanged. Since the fathers fell asleep, &c.
2. The force of old associations.
3. A false trust in the mercy of God. (Homilist.)
Disregard of religion and its consequences
Lots sons-in-law were probably void of faith and of the fear of God, minding only the things of this world, and resolved not to leave the possessions and conveniences which they enjoyed in that wicked country. And if so, they might easily frame to themselves objections to their fathers counsel, and a plea for their own conduct. But they learned, when it was too late, that his advice was sober and true.
I. NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT AND SERIOUS, AS NOTHING IS MORE CERTAIN, THAN ARE THE TRUTHS WHICH RELIGION PRESENTS TO OUR CONSIDERATION.
II. And yet, secondly, THERE ARE MANY WHO TREAT RELIGION WITH DISDAIN AND DISREGARD. In worldly affairs persons are seen to act usually with attention and earnestness; they made a due use of their reason, and consider what they are about. Thus they act, not only in things of great consequence, relating to their life, their health, their liberty, their fortunes, their family, their honour and credit, but even in slighter matters, to obtain a small profit, or to escape a small inconvenience. Nothing is neglected, nothing is put off to an uncertain day; instruction is attentively received and put in execution. But as to religion, there is not this zeal and activity; it is not carefully weighed, scarcely can it obtain a fair hearing; favourable opportunities are neglected, opportunities which slip away, and are never to be recalled, and everything that should be done is left undone.
III. Let us consider, thirdly, WHENCE PROCEEDS THIS STRANGE INDIFFERENCE AND NEGLECT. It proceeds in a great measure from want of faith, which is an evil more common than is imagined. Some men there are who have received good natural abilities, which they employ to bad purposes. Of these talents God giveth them the use, and the devil teacheth them the application. They argue themselves out of their religion, and then apply themselves to debauch the minds of others, and to treat serious and sacred things with levity, licentiousness, and ridicule. Pernicious books and corrupt conversation spread the contagious disease. (J. Jortin, D. D.)
On the guilt and the consequences of despising the Divine threatenings
I. Let us, in the first place, ATTEND TO THE EXHORTATION ADDRESSED BY LOT TO HIS SONS-IN-LAW. Up; get you out of this place: for the Lord will destroy this city. Consider what was the situation of these men. They dwelt in a city subject to the dominion of sin. They dwelt in a city which, in consequence of its sinfulness, deserved immediate destruction; in a city which, when time and opportunity abundantly sufficient for trial and repentance had been afforded, was devoted to immediate destruction. The Divine mercy still extended to them one respite, one opportunity, one warning more. Such, then, is your situation. Such is the situation of every one who hears the sound of the gospel. Contagion surrounds you; destruction lies before you. You are defiled, miserable, and helpless. Yet still there is a call of mercy; still there is a way to escape. The God whom you have offended places deliverance within your reach. The Son of God becomes man, and gives His life to purchase your salvation.
II. Consider, in the next place, THE MANNER IN WHICH THE SONS-IN-LAW OF LOT RECEIVED HIS AWFUL ADMONITION. He seemed unto them as one that mocked. Their conduct discloses to us their character. They had evidently set their hearts on the worldly advantages which, in their apprehension, attended the place where they resided; and they made little account of its wickedness. In many respects the conduct of a large portion of the world bears at this day a close resemblance to that of the sons-in-laws of Lot, and arises from the same principles. When the great doctrines of the gospel are proposed as comprehending and disclosing the appointed method of salvation; what numbers disregard or despise them! When the holy commandments of God are explained and enforced as indispensably and in every particular binding upon every man, what numbers withhold their assent from the strictness of such interpretations of the Scriptures! When the terrors of the world to come are displayed, when the wrath and vengeance of God are revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, what numbers refuse to credit the tremendous truth! The minister of the gospel seemeth unto them as one that mocketh.
III. Consider, in the third place, THE CONSEQUENCES OF TREATING AS AN IDLE TALE, AS THE WORDS OF ONE THAT MOCKETH, THE DECLARATIONS OF ALMIGHTY GOD. They brought ruin upon themselves and their posterity. (T. Gisborne, D. D.)
Lessons
1. Good fathers make haste in midst of dangers to keep their children from destruction, being fore-warned of Gods judgments.
2. Gracious parents are earnest with children to press on counsels for their good and safety.
3. Near relations in the flesh, though wicked, yet are dear unto gracious souls to save them.
4. Faith concerning Gods judgments revealed will put gracious hearts upon hastening others out of them.
5. Places of habitation when they be places of vengeance, as well as of sin, must be abhorred and forsaken by Gods saints.
6. Cities though ever so strong and stately cannot secure sinners from ruin. It and they shall perish.
7. Jehovah is the author of destruction upon places of wickedness, who cannot be resisted.
8. God sends messengers of salvation sometimes to the vilest of men, to Lots sons, &c.
9. God, His messengers, and His messages of vengeance, are all but scorns and derisions to wicked men.
10. Secure scorning of destruction from God is the immediate forerunner of it, as here. (G. Hughes, B. D.)
The last night in Sodom
If you had been in Sodom on that solemn, awful evening you would never have suspected it. There was nothing outwardly to show that terrible scenes were at hand, even at the door. No weird omens were observed that night; no strange sounds disturbed the superstitious. No fiery sword was seen hanging over the city, in token that the sword of the Almightys wrath was at last unsheathed. No signs appeared in the sun as he sank peacefully to rest. The cattle came lowing home from the fields, and the sheep-dogs barked, and the voices of children at play were heard. And then darkness fell; and the chirping of a myriad insects rose on the stillness of the Eastern night; and the stars looked down upon the quiet scene; and the moon shone, for the last time, on the great doomed city. But within Lots dwelling a solemn conference was being held, and Lots heart was heavy and disturbed. Full of sadness was he for the heedless, unrepenting people; full of anxiety for those dear to him in that place. And then he hurried out in the darkness to warn his relatives, and to urge on them immediate flight; and they–how true to life it all is!–laughed at him! They treated the matter as a fine joke, and the more earnest his entreaties, the more boisterous grew their mirth. And so the night wore on, and then the day began to break, and the angels hurried, nay, forced Lot out of the city. But with the morning light the scoffer waxed bolder still. What of thy coward fears of the night, O righteous Lot? he mockingly begins, but the words die away on his lips. Ah! what means this strange, unearthly gloom–this lurid, awful flame, in which earth and heaven seem joined in one? What this terrible sense of suffocation–this scorching, choking downpour? The lightning plays, and the thunder rolls–shock upon shock is felt–shriek rises upon shriek–confusion, horror, uproar! Woe! woe! woe! . . . A few hours later, and a silence still more awful . . . And the sun, as he rides high in the heavens, looks down upon a smoking mass of desolation–And the smoke of the city went up as the smoke of a furnace! (J. B. C. Murphy, B. A.)
Warnings disregarded by sinners
What a chance (which never came again) the sons of Lot missed that evening! But do you know what they said? They said he was an alarmist! The old man is in his dotage, laughed one, and some one has been frightening him. Never heed him, cried another, he is ever thus, croaking about the wickedness of the place, and telling us we are all going to be destroyed. He has been saying it for years–and nothing has ever happened yet! Ah, thats just where it is! Nothing has ever happened yet! And so, when the preacher warns the open sinner of his danger, and urges him to escape from his sin–to escape for his life–he is laughed at, and he is called an alarmist. But every one who has ever tried to press home a truth that has been unwelcome–to warn people of a danger that they would rather believe to be impossible–has been called an Alarmist. Noah was an Alarmist. Lot was an Alarmist. The prophets who foretold the destruction of Jerusalem were Alarmists, and many a one who foresaw and foretold the Indian Mutiny of 1857 was called an Alarmist. And so, at the risk of being called an Alarmist I would take up and echo this cry. Art thou living in a Sodom of wilful sin–a Sodom of uncleanness, or drunkenness, or not?–then Escape for thy life! (J. B. C. Murphy, B. A.)
As one that mocked
Look at Lot going through the streets of Sodom at midnight to warn his sons of the approaching destruction of the city, only to be reviled and mocked by them. Mr. Moody once said that he remembered being in an American city a few years ago, and there came unto the after-meeting an old grey-headed man, who for years had been wandering from God. In early life that old man had walked with God, and had found fellowship with Him; but for a number of years past he had been wandering in the darkness and agony of sin. He (Mr. Moody) said to him, God is very merciful, and He will forgive you, and gave him a number of passages of Scripture, and sat up with him until midnight. About that hour the light broke in upon the old man, and the Lord restored to him the joy of his salvation, and the old man went on his way rejoicing. The next night the old man came into the meeting looking the very picture of despair; he did not think he had ever seen a sadder countenance, and he asked him what his trouble was. The old man replied that he had spent the most wretched day of his life. His family had grown up and lived in that city. He had that day wandered from house to house, and had not seen a child who did not mock him. The old man added that he now realized what he had done; he had taken his children into the world, and could not get them out again.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Which married his daughters; Heb. took, or were taking, or about to take, to wit, either to espouse, or to marry. Compare Gen 6:2; 24:3; 28:6; Deu 7:3. Anciently persons were first espoused, and after some time the marriage was consummated.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Lot went out,…. From his house, after the men of Sodom were gone from it, and before the morning, very probably about midnight:
and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters: according to Aben Ezra, he had two other daughters that perished in Sodom, which he gathers from Ge 19:15, “which are here”, as if he had some elsewhere; and so Jarchi says, he had two daughters married in the city. And the Jewish writers q speak of one of them, whose name was Pelothith, married to one of the grandees of Sodom: but it seems rather, that these were the daughters Lot had at home with him; who, according to Josephus r were espoused to men in the city, but not yet married; and on account of such espousals, as were usual in the eastern countries, Lot calls them his sons-in-law, as they were intended, and so the words may be rendered, “that were about to take his daughters” s; to take them for wives, and to their own houses, neither of which they had as yet done; for if these had been daughters of his married, and taken home, he would not only have spoke unto their husbands, but to them also; and would have been still more pressing upon them to arise and make their escape; of which nothing is said, nor of any answer of theirs to him, only of his sons-in-law, as they are called on the above account:
and said, up, get ye out of this place; that is, get up from your beds, anne immediately, and make your escape out of the city:
for the Lord will destroy this city; now, directly, immediately; therefore there is no time to be lost, but at once prepare for your safety:
but he seemed as one that mocked to his sons in law; as one that was in jest, and had a mind to have a little sport with them, to get them out of their beds, and put them into a flight, and then laugh at them.
q Pirke Eliezer, c. 25. r Antiqu. l. 1. c. 11. sect. 4. s “qui brevi fuerant ducturi filias suas”, Junius Tremellius, Piscator so some in Vatablus & Drusius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
14. And Lot went out. The faith of the holy man, Lot, appeared first in this, that he was completely awed and humbled at the threatening of God; secondly, that in the midst of destruction, he yet laid hold of the salvation promised to him. In inviting his sons-in-law to join him, he manifests such diligence as becomes the sons of God; who ought to labor, by all means, to rescue their own families from destruction. But when Moses says, ‘he appeared as one who mocked;’ the meaning is, that the pious old man was despised and derided and that what he said was accounted a fable; because his sons-in-law supposed him to be seized with delirium, and to be vainly framing imaginary dangers. Lot, therefore, did not seem to them to mock purposely or to have come for the sake of trifling with them; but they deemed his language fabulous; because, where there is no religion, and no fear of God, whatever is said concerning the punishment of the wicked, vanishes as a vain and illusory thing. And hence we perceive how fatal an evil security is, which son inebriates, yea, fascinates, the minds of the wicked, that they no longer think God sits as Judge in heaven; and thus they stupidly sleep in sin, till, while they’re saying, Peace and safety, they are overwhelmed in sudden ruin. And especially, the nearer the vengeance of God approaches, the more does their obstinacy increase and become desperate. There is nothing more full of fear, and even of terror, than wicked men are, when the hand of God presses closely on them; but until, constrained by force, they perceive their destruction to be imminent, they either reject all threats with proud scorn, or contemptuously pass them by. But their indolence ought to awaken us to the fear of God, so that we may be always careful; but more especially when some token of the wrath of God presents itself before us.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) Which married his daughters.Heb., the takers of his daughtersa present participle, for which reason Ewald, Tuch, and others translate who were to marry his daughters. The traditional view is that given in our Version, and is confirmed by Gen. 19:15, where the wordsthy two daughters which are here, Heb., which are foundcertainly suggest the idea that Lot had other daughters, besides the two which escaped with him.
As one that mocked.Heb., as one that was laughing, or joking, and so not in earnest.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. Which married his daughters Hebrews, takers of his daughters . The Vulgate renders, who were about to take his daughters; and hence it has been generally supposed that his daughters were only betrothed, not actually married . The Hebrew expression will, however, allow the meaning of actual marriage, and Gen 19:15 distinguishes the two daughters “which are here,” as if to imply other daughters not present with Lot at the time. No mention is made of sons, except incidentally by the angel, in Gen 19:12, and there by way of question as to whether he had any in the city. No other mention of sons being made, and the fact that he went and alarmed his sons-in-law, argues rather that he had no sons.
Seemed as one that mocked This is usually explained as meaning, he seemed to them to be jesting, or trifling. But this verb, in the Piel form, is everywhere used of lascivious sports, or carnal intercourse. His sons-in-law, familiar with the lewd practices so common in the streets of Sodom, supposed Lot was out indulging lascivious passions. See note on Gen 21:9.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 19:14. Sons-in-law, which married his daughters These must either have been daughters of Lot, different from those mentioned in Gen 19:8 or we must understand the Hebrew, as many versions have done, as expressing only a future marriage, a betrothing; sons-in-law, who were to have married [were betrothed to] his daughters. The Hebrew is indeterminate, locchi, taking, sons-in-law taking his daughters. I should rather imagine, that this latter is the sense of the passage, who were taking, or about to take his daughters in marriage, as no other daughters of Lot are mentioned in Scripture than the two spoken of, Gen 19:8; Gen 19:30. and as we can hardly imagine, that any of his children were consumed in the destruction of Sodom.
Observe in the foregoing verses, 1. The command given Lot, to bring out all he could persuade of his relations from the ruin. Note; Those who are themselves awakened to a sense of their danger, must use their utmost efforts to persuade others to fly with themselves from the wrath to come.
2. Lot’s haste to inform his sons-in-law. Up, get you out. Abrupt and urgent; bespeaking his solicitude, their danger, and the necessity of immediate compliance. Note; (1.) Ministers cannot be too warm and urgent in their addresses to sinners’ consciences. (2.) They who are in jeopardy every hour, have not a moment to trifle with.
3. Their reception of him. They thought him mad or melancholy, and laughed at his fears. Note; (1.) Many now laugh at hell, who will shortly wail there, and that eternally. (2.) To mock at God’s warnings, is the way to hasten his judgments. Such mockers still are found. (3.) It is no uncommon thing for despisers of the Gospel to treat the ministers of it as enthusiasts or melancholic.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Gen 19:14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.
Ver. 14. But he seemed as one that mocked. ] Sed fuit habitus tanquam iocabundus . Graceless hearts jeer, when they should fear, and are senseless and secure, as if they were out of the reach of God’s rod, and needed not to fear his wrath. Lot here is counted but a Lob, of his own sons-in-law. a Wonder not, if we meet with the same measure.
a Ridetur cum suo Iehova: sed risus impiorum est, Sardonius . – Par.
the LORD. Compare the “we” of Gen 19:13. Hebrew. Jehovah.
one that mocked. [talked nonsense] See notes on next page.
one that mocked = talked nonsense. He had looked, and pitched his tent toward Sodom, had dwelt and made his home there, and married his daughters, and sat in its gate as a judge. No wonder he seemed as one that mocked. He chose Sodom (Gen 13:11), and “lingered” in the place of his choice (Gen 19:16). See note, Gen 13:7.
Lot
Lot had utterly lost his testimony. In gaining influence Gen 19:1 he had lost power, even in his own family.
which: Mat 1:18
Up: Gen 19:17, Gen 19:22, Num 16:21, Num 16:26, Num 16:45, Jer 51:6, Luk 9:42, Rev 18:4-8
as one: Exo 9:21, Exo 12:31, 2Ch 30:10, 2Ch 36:16, Pro 29:1, Isa 28:22, Jer 5:12-14, Jer 20:7, Eze 20:49, Mat 9:24, Luk 17:28-30, Luk 24:11, Act 17:32, 1Th 5:3
Reciprocal: Gen 19:12 – son Gen 34:9 – General Exo 32:1 – Up Jdg 4:14 – Up 1Sa 9:26 – Up Ecc 5:13 – riches Isa 58:7 – thine own Jer 16:2 – General Mat 22:5 – they Mar 4:15 – these Mar 5:40 – they Joh 9:18 – General Heb 11:7 – warned 2Pe 3:4 – where
Lot Fleeing from Sodom
Gen 19:14-30
INTRODUCTORY WORDS
We have before us one of the greatest conflagrations of all history, dual cities and their neighboring villages utterly consumed by fire sent down from Heaven.
In this great conflagration we have a forecast of the coming great tribulation into which the world now seems about to enter.
Many are the Scriptures which speak of the terrific judgments which will be upon the earth in those days.
Joel calls it: “A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness.” He goes on to say that a great people and strong will come forth in those days. Then he adds, “A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth.”
Nahum describes the same day as a day when the hills melt, the mountains quake and the earth is burned. Nahum cries out, “Who can stand before His indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by Him.”
Thus do other Prophets describe the same day of judgment that awaits this Satan dominated world.
The New Testament gives the same story. Christ forewarned the time of His Coming as a time of wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in diverse places. Then He said, “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” And in speaking of this tribulation, the Lord spoke of it as a sorrow such as was not since the beginning of the world nor ever shall be. He said, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall tall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken.”
The Book of Revelation concludes the story of the tribulation. First of all we have the seals which are broken and the coming forth of the four horse riders. Next we have judgments intensified as the trumpets are sounded; then, we have the pouring forth of the vials of God’s wrath and the completion of the judgments of Almighty God.
Thus it is that the destruction of Sodom brings before us in graphic portraiture the story of another day of unspeakable tribulation upon an earth made ripe in iniquity.
I. A SAINT WHO SEEMED AS ONE WHO MOCKED (Gen 19:14)
In our last study we spoke of Lot’s appeal to his sons-in-law, and how he seemed unto them as one who mocked. It seems to us, however, that we should place special stress upon this remarkable statement found in Gen 19:14,
1. There are many mockers who will rise in the last days. This is the statement of the Apostle Peter, and also of Jude. These mockers, however, are apostates-men who deny the faith once delivered.
They cry out, “Where is the promise of His coming?” Thus they ridicule that Blessed Hope of the Return of our Lord.
2. There are many mockers of Truth, however, who are supposedly the heralders of Truth. They stand in the sacred desks proposing to proclaim the Truth of God and yet they deny that Truth. They join hands, therefore, with the apostates described above. They sneer at men who preach Christ in His fulness emphasizing the fact of coming tribulation as “little men,” “dolts,” “untutored,” “following fables found in the Word of God which should long ago have been relegated to the theological scrap pile.”
3. There are many also today who seem to mock. Lot had no desire to mock the truth of Sodom’s coming judgment. In fact, Lot fully accepted the statements of the angels, and with all concern for the safety of his children he hastened to warn them.
He who laughs most of the years of his pilgrimage, as though nothing was about to happen, and then suddenly changes his whole attitude as though everything was about to collapse, may easily seem as one who mocks. He who lives in all worldliness and carnality can hardly expect to give an acceptable warning to those who have judged his spirituality an unimportant factor in his life.
II. A BROKEN FAMILY (Gen 19:15)
How sadly do the words ring out, “Take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here.” The real thought which stands embossed before our mind is, “Where are the others?” Some of them were about to go out of the city, others were about to be left to the city’s flames.
1. A divided household bespeaks a divided and weakened testimony. When in the same family and under the same roof there are some who are for God and some who are against Him, there cannot be the same weight given to the testimony to truth that should be given.
It was for this cause that God commanded that elders or deacons should have their children in submission and well taught in the things of God. The impression on the outside is that a man whose life does not lead his own family into the love of Christ can hardly be right himself. The impression also is that if a man cannot guide his own household aright, he cannot guide aright the larger household of his God.
2. A divided household bespeaks in most instances, a lack in the lives of those who are supposedly true. We know that Lot vexed his righteous soul because of the ungodly deeds and words of the Sodomites. We know, also, that he did not give a strong and vital witness against their iniquity. He certainly did not warn them of the corning judgment of a righteous God.
How many there are who live before their children without any seeming convictions of truth and without any particular warnings to them of their evil ways. When some great evangelistic movement sweeps the community such parents may become awakened to their children’s danger of being eternally lost. Yet, their efforts to win their children will carry but little weight owing to their past unseemly conduct.
III. A LINGERING SAINT (Gen 19:16)
2. The things that held Lot back. Some may wish to excuse Lot by urging that he had so many things to hold him to Sodom. His family was anchored there. His business associates were there. His home was there. His money was invested there.
The difficulty in all of this was that the things which Lot had in Sodom, he had against the command of the Lord. Perhaps unwittingly, and yet just as certainly he had allowed himself to be engulfed in a great sweeping wave of world-centered ambitions. He was looking at the things that are seen, laying up his treasures on earth, and loving the world.
2. With what difficulty many of our day will face the Coming of the Lord. Some, indeed, will draw back from Him at His Coming. Some are so engrossed in the things terrestrial that they would give half of all they possessed if they could delay the Lord’s Coming. They are so much buried in the debris of this world that they have lost their desire for another world. They are set on some earthly city that they have no longings for a city that is Heavenly. They are so in love with men, that they have no longings for the Lord.
3. Obedience delayed is only obedience made more difficult. Lot, by lingering, and halting did not make it easier for himself to sever connections with Sodom. Indeed we believe that obedience put off is obedience spoiled. The commandments of the Lord require haste. To stand to one side and look at a responsibility only augments the burden of responsibility. Duty postponed is duty made irksome.
IV. THE MERCIFUL GOD (Gen 19:16, l.c.)
1. What justice apart from kindness might have done. It is only natural for man to meet human frailties with more or less of disgust. If some one delays our call we are liable to leave the delinquent to his. fates-not so the Lord. Our God is long-suffering and patient. He remembers that we are dust. He deals with us in all tenderness.
2. What God did do. As Lot lingered the angels laid their hands in loving urging upon the hands of Lot, Lot’s wife, and his two daughters. Then they brought them forth outside the city.
God does not ask us to go alone, but He goes with us as far as it is necessary. It was a memorable sight to behold the man of large business ability and success being led by the hand out of Sodom, accompanied by his wife and by two of his daughters.
3. Why God did lead Lot out of Sodom. The Word is plain-“The Lord being merciful unto him.” Let us stop and consider-Where would we be today, if God had not been merciful unto us? Had God dealt with us after our sins we had long ago been banished from His sight. When David sought for any of the house of Saul, David said: “Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” What did David do? He sent down to Lo-debar, the place of no pasture and he fetched Mephibosheth to his palace. He restored unto Mephibosheth all that had belonged to Saul, and he fed him his portion in the king’s house.
This is just what God does for us. He lays His hands upon us, being merciful unto us. Then He lifts us to a standing more effectual than we had ever known, and asks us to eat at His house forevermore.
4. God is today calling us out of Sodom. Sodom is this world of folly and of shame. Christ died to save us out of it. We are not of the world, for we are other-worldly. Let us give heed to ourselves, whether we are entangled again in the gardens of the world’s pleasures.
V. ESCAPING TO THE MOUNTAIN (Gen 19:17)
1. Sodom stands for the world. There is a verse of Scripture in Galatians which says, that He died to save us from this present evil age or world according to the will of God our Father. This is exactly what we see in the case of Lot. God was delivering him from the powers of darkness which held him in their sway.
Paul, in the Spirit, spoke of the Cross by which he was crucified unto the world, and the world was crucified unto him. It is this Cross with this double crucifixion which should be our glory.
Lot was inveigled in the world against the will of God. As long as he was there he might prosper in the things of the flesh, but he could not prosper in the things of the Spirit.
2. The mountain stands for those higher realms of Christian life to which we are called. We are to set our affection on the things above. In Ephesians, the whole story of how we are to live in the Heavenlies in Christ Jesus is marvelously foretold. We may be upon the earth and in the world, but we are not of the world. Our treasures should be Heavenly, not earthly. Our hope should be on high, not beneath.
Heavenly people may use the world, but they must not abuse it. They are sent into the world, but they are not constituent parts of the world. Let us each examine our own hearts to discover whether we are living in the low-lands of carnal activities or upon the highlands of spiritual endeavors.
VI. A SELF-CENTERED VISION (Gen 19:19)
1. Lot preferred the lowlands to the mountain top. When Lot said to the angel, “I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die”; he plainly showed that while he was getting out of Sodom Sodom was not altogether out of him.
It is not enough to be saved, we need to be sanctified. This is the will of God for us. It is not enough to have life, we want life more abundantly. Too many believers are, apparently, satisfied to be saved as Lot was saved, so as by fire. Too many are willing to go with Christ only part of the way.
2. Lot put his will against the will of the Lord. Lot said unto the angel, “Not so, my Lord.” He pled his way, his ideas, his preference. As an excuse Lot said, “I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die.” Lot’s whole contention was a lack of trust in the Lord. He was afraid to risk God, to do what God said, to go where God told him to go.
The fact that the Lord accepted Lot’s plea does not mean that God thought Lot’s choice better than His own command. God’s attitude toward Lot is always His attitude toward His children. He who refuses to take God’s first best will receive His second or His third. In this, however, the loss is always ours.
The Bible says, “Oh, that My people had hearkened unto Me, * * I * * should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat.” From the moment that Lot took his own choice and refused God, he passes out of sight. Had he gone to the mountain top, he might have become one of God’s great ones, he might have had his name written in God’s galaxy of heroes. He chose his own way and suffered thereby.
VII. LOT’S WIFE (Gen 19:26)
We have been speaking of Lot’s carnality, of Lot’s perfidy, of Lot’s unwillingness to go through with God. We now come to the consideration of Lot’s wife.
1. Lot’s wife was saved from Sodom’s overthrow. When Lot went out she went with him. She had faith enough to leave Sodom, but she did not have courage enough to go all the way with God. We believe that Lot’s wife left Sodom through fear more than through faith. She could not but believe the angel’s testimony, and yet, the power that dominated her in her flight was the fear of being consumed.
We suppose it is always right for any one to flee the wrath to come. Fear of hell may be a just reason for coming to Christ. Fear, however, is a motive that is in danger of leaving us stranded as soon as we are out of the terror of conflagration. Fear as a motive lies far behind gratitude and love. If we do anything because we have to and we are afraid not to, we are not liable to do more than is actually commanded. If, on the other hand, we are prompted by love, our life will be filled with excesses of every kind. We will do more than is required.
2. Lot’s wife became a pillar of salt. I wonder if we can dissect the look of Lot’s wife as she turned back to view Sodom. Did she begin to wonder after all if the angels had told the truth? Did she turn to see if Sodom was actually burning? Did Lot’s wife turn back because everything that was dear to her heart was there; two of her daughters were there, her sons-in-law were there, her social life was there, her home and its surroundings were all there.
God has said where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. When we see Christians turning back toward the world and. speaking longingly of their old walk and way, we fear that they love the things which are seen. God help us to go all the way with Him.
AN ILLUSTRATION
A LONG LEASE ENHANCES VALUE
Lot had much in Sodom but he had to lose it.
“‘If a man might have a cottage on a hundred years’ lease, he would prize it much more than the possession of a palace for a day.’ Of course he would; and this it is which adds so much preciousness to the joys of Heaven, for they are eternal. The pleasures of this world, however bright they seem, are but for this one day of life, which is already half over. If they were all they profess to be, and a thousand times more, they would not be worthy to be mentioned in comparison with ‘pleasures for evermore’ at God’s right hand.
O Thou who fillest eternity, impress me with the solemn import of that word, and let me feel that all time’s fleeting cares and caresses are as dreams; while the things of eternity alone have substance in them. Give me Thy grace that I may ‘lay hold on eternal life.’ “-Spurgeon.
Gen 19:14. Lot spake to his sons-in-law, &c. It is likely these sons-in- law had married other daughters of Lot, who were now dead, or who afterward perished in the destruction of the city. Up, get you out of this place The manner of expression is startling. It was not a time to trifle, when the destruction was just at the door. But he seemed to them as one that mocked They thought perhaps that the assault which the Sodomites had just now made upon his house had disturbed his head, and put him into such a fright that he knew not what he said. They that made a jest of every thing made a jest of that, and so perished in the overthrow. Thus many, who are warned of the danger they are in by sin, make a light matter of it; such will perish with their blood upon their heads.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Neighbour’s Wells of Living Water
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments