Verse 1 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; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
It was the custom in Bible days for leaders, judges or important citizens of a city to sit in the gate where people and animals would come and go. Often this was where court would be held and disputes settled. It is not known for sure, but the fact that Lot was seated in the gate may indicate that he had standing or importance in the community.
Although the previous chapter does not specifically indicate that the two men accompanying the LORD during the meal and dialogue with Abraham were angels, it would only make sense that they were spiritual beings manifesting as men. Remember, the word angel simply describes the manifestations of spirits when they interact in the physical world with mankind.
Verses 2-3 And 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. 3 And 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.
The Hebrew word translated as “lords” is “adon” and a word not usually associated with deity. It appears 335 times and is translated as “lord” 197 times, as “master” 105 times, and as “Lord” with a capital L only 31 times. So this writer is going to suggest that Lot was not aware he was talking to angels. He offered them traditional hospitality which they refused. Ask yourself, “why” did they refuse? Perhaps it was their way of showing Lot the sin that had pervaded the city, as it is possible for someone to live somewhere and not really understand the condition of the environment and people around them as deterioration can occur slowly over time. As a result of their insistence of remaining in the street all night, Scripture records that “Lot pressed them greatly”. Why would Lot do so if it was safe to camp in the street? Lot’s attitude indicated that he was being more than hospitable, and that he was afraid for the safety of the angels. This seems to confirm that Lot truly was not aware of the nature of the beings he was interacting with because angels have no need to fear men.
Here is the first reference to unleavened bread: dough that is cooked hastily before it has time to rise and become fluffy. Remember that Genesis is a book of firsts. Unleavened bread will be seen again throughout the Bible, particularly in the book of Exodus. It is associated with haste and leaven is associated with sin. Here were two holy angels without sin sharing a meal with sinful man and eating bread without leaven. Can you, the reader, see the connection?
Verses 4-5 But 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: 5 And 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.
“All the people from every quarter” referenced above is clarified in the verse as the men of the city. Women were not in attendance. The word translated as “know” is “yada”, and when seen in the Bible it usually refers to knowing a person carnally and not just becoming acquainted with the person. All the men of this very large city descended upon Lot’s house for the sole purpose of sexually assaulting what they all thought were men. They did not know they were angels or they might have reconsidered their plan. Sodom was full of homosexuals and they wanted to have a sporting evening at the strangers’ expense.
Application: Secular and Biblical scholars alike have taught that the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah were that the citizens were inhospitable. Ask yourself if this makes sense? Would the God of Creation destroy the cities and the people He had created just because they had bad manners and did not offer hospitality? You decide. But logic seems to dictate that homosexuality is not approved behavior by God or He would not have sent His angels to Sodom and Gomorrah to destroy them. Total annihilation is a pretty severe punishment for just the sin of failing to extend hospitality to strangers. Paul states in Romans 1:26-28, “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly (indecent or improper), and receiving in themselves that recompense (reward, repayment) of their error which was meet (proper, fitting or suitable). And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (appropriate, suitable, fitting).”
Verses 6-8 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, 7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 8 Behold 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.
Lot placed himself between the strangers and the mob, a heroic act as he could have become a target of the men’s lust and depravity. He was determined to protect the strangers who were sheltering in his house under his roof.
Application: As a believer, how far are you willing to go to protect others and do that which is right in the eyes of God? Is there a point where compromise may win over conviction? Think about it.
Lot has been criticized harshly for offering his virgin daughters to the mob to molest instead of letting them have the strangers. Readers have believed that women were not cherished and appreciated by the men in the Old Testament times and that they were treated poorly and thought of as secondhand citizens. There is no proof that women were treated any worse back then than they are today in many cultures. In fact, the Bible is full of positive stories about women. Let’s look at the verses above in a different manner. This writer believes that Lot was taunting the mob by offering his virgin daughters to them because he knew he could do so safely as these homosexual men did not want to have relations with women. They were lusting after what they perceived to be male strangers, not women. There were plenty of women living in the cities and so it doesn’t make sense that the mob wanted to sexually assault Lot’s daughters that had been living in the community for quite some time. Think about it.
Verse 9 And 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.
Loosely paraphrased, the homosexual response to Lot’s actions and words were, “Get out of our way. You are fairly new to our city so who do you think you are judging us and telling us what to do?” And then they became more aggressive and violent and sought to harm Lot as well.
Application: All sin, including homosexuality, is rebellion against God and His authority. Genesis 1:27 said, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them.” God’s plan was, is and will always be for a man to leave his family and join himself to a wife, not to another man. See Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:5, Mark 10:7 and Ephesians 5:31. Just using a little common sense thinking concludes that the human race cannot procreate and survive if homosexuality is the norm. Case closed.
Verses 10-11 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11 And 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.
The angels rescued Lot and kept the mob from beating down the door by blinding them. One would think that if all of a sudden a person could no longer see, that person would cease and desist from what they were doing. The Hebrew word for “weary” is “la ah” and it can also mean to be impatient. Even though they could no longer see, the mob tried to find the door until they got tired and presumably dispersed. Scripture does not tell us if the sight of these men was restored before destruction fell on Sodom and Gomorrah.
Application: It is possible that a person can be so blinded by the Devil, by tradition, by religion, by negative emotions like greed and hatred, and by their own pride that they cannot see the truth recorded in the pages of Scripture, and therefore cannot know the truth of the Gospel and will die in their sins and face eternal life in Hell. Since the converted Christian believer has no way of knowing who is blind and who is not, prayer must be offered on behalf of these people. Only God knows who is lost and who will be saved from sin, death and Hell by the prayers of the saints. Never give up on anyone. “Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” James 5:20
Application: The angels shut to the door so that the men outside could not enter. God is merciful and patient but He will call the sinner to repentance only for so long. Just like the men of Sodom, there can come a time when the LORD closes the door of salvation to those who have repeatedly refused His free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are, depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.” Luke 13:25-28 Once God closes the door, no man can open it.
Verses 12-13 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 13 For 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.
Application: God will not always put up with sinful mankind. When it appears that the Earth is getting worse and worse in regards to sin and the suffering it brings, remember that God is the righteous Judge and He will punish the unrepentant wicked in His timing. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” James 5:7-8
Verse 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.
So often the preacher preaches and the congregation goes home after the service and completely forgets and/or ignores what was said because it is believed that there will always be a tomorrow in which the sun comes up in the morning, and so taking the words of the LORD seriously as presented by His servant can be put off to another day.
Application: The people did not listen to Noah and they died by flood waters. Lot’s family would not listen to him and the consequences of that was their physical destruction. God’s Word is full of warnings to the believer, and they need to be heeded in order to avoid negative consequences, some of which may lead to physical and even spiritual injury or death. Remember, every word in Scripture is important and to be understood and listened to.
Verses 15-16 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. 16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
Why was Lot hesitant to leave? Some have said that perhaps he really did not want to give up his lifestyle in Sodom and that he was hoping judgement would not occur. However, this writer believes that he was lingering in the hope that his daughters and son-in-laws would join him in leaving the doomed city.
Verse 17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.
Application: The instructions given to Lot by the angels were clear. Escape this place, don’t look back, and go to the mountain. This is the instruction given the new believer at the time of conversion. Escape the sinful lifestyle, don’t look back on the way things used to be, and go to the presence of the LORD who is a mountain and refuge for His people.
Verses 18-20 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: 19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: 20 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.
Lot, for some reason, had a fear of going to the mountain. He wanted to go to another city and begged permission to flee to a small city somewhere in the area. Perhaps he was worried about the safety of his wife and daughters and believed that a small city environment would provide a better place to live.
Verses 21-23 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken. 22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. 23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.
The name Zoar means “insignificant”. Because Lot was granted permission to relocate to this city, Zoar was not destroyed along with the other cities in the plain.
Verses 24-26 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. 26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
All the evil was destroyed by heat. Fire purifies and cleanses, and the brimstone and fire accomplished this by destroying the wicked, and by burying the cities so that they could not be re-inhabited or rebuilt.
Lot’s wife disobeyed the angel’s instructions. Did she look back out of curiosity or out of longing for the stuff she had left behind? Not really sure, but the judgement was destruction. Lot and his family had already entered the city of Zoar, so it is quite possible that a pillar of salt turning up in the middle of town caused the inhabitants to question what had happened. One can only imagine how Lot must have been feeling to lose his wife, his married daughters and their families, his home and his entire lifestyle all within 24 hours or less.
Verses 27-29 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD: 28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. 29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
Abraham believed the LORD and knew that his nephew Lot was safe and that the promised judgement on the wickedness of the cities had been carried out.
Verse 30 And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
So Lot ended up living in the mountain that he had feared because he was more fearful of the people in Zoar.
Verses 31-36 And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth: 32 Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. 33 And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. 34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father. 35 And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose. 36 Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.
Many people in the church want to believe that wine in the Bible was just grape juice that was not fermented. However, Lot, like Noah before him, did not get drunk on grape juice. Fermentation had to have occurred in order for him to be unaware of what his daughters were doing.
This is the first recorded incidence of incest. However, since there was no law in place yet, no law was broken and God did not pronounce judgement upon Lot and his daughters. Instead, the sons born to Lot by his daughters became mighty nations. Remember Moab and Ammon as they will be seen again in the pages of Scripture.
Verses 37-38 And the firstborn bare a son, and called his name Moab: the same is the father of the Moabites unto this day. 38 And the younger, she also bare a son, and called his name Benammi: the same is the father of the children of Ammon unto this day.