Genesis 19:1-111And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; 2And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. 3And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. 4But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 6And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 8Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. 9And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. 10But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11And 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. (Genesis 19:1‑11)
“And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them.” verse 1.
In an earlier chapter it was said, “Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom.” Thus exposed to that worldly atmosphere, he eventually took up residence there. Within the city, although daily vexed with the wickedness around him, he remained. Finally he achieved a place of prominence, sitting in the very gate of the city. His greeting to the two strangers was: “Turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house,” to which they replied: “Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.” What a contrast to their response to Abraham, for they well knew his life of faithfulness which would not have so much as a shoe latchet from the world. But how could the heavenly visitors be comfortable in the foreign atmosphere of Lot’s house—the man of the world? They would rather remain all night in the street!
Christian friend, does the character of your life and testimony present a suitable place for the One who delights to come in and sup with those obedient to His Word? Jesus said: “If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.” John 14:2323Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23). Is this not a bright promise? What a precious privilege to have the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit all delighting to make Their abode with the believer. In the light of such communion, things of this world look paltry indeed.
Being pressed, the visitors enter the house. “But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round...” verse 4. Their wicked pia, pose was recognized by Lot who cried: “I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.” Their response was, “This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee than with them.” 10:7-9. Alas, Lot learned too late the true character of his associates. He had served his purpose for them and now they would use him spitefully. Such is the way of the world and its attitude toward the Christian. Only so long as he is useful will he be tolerated.
What a solemn picture is presented of a child of God, neglecting his heavenly calling and taking up the material gains and honors of the world. Abraham sought a city, but one whose builder and maker was God. Lot was well satisfied with a city that had no room for God in its thoughts or plans. The faithful Word of God to His own is: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world... For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the Tuts of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” 1 John 2:15-1715Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15‑17).
The reader knows his own heart’s response to these lessons from Lot’s history. May they have the sober reflection and consideration of each one.
ML 09/12/1965