(Originally posted Oct. 12, 2020)
Genesis
Chapter 19
v.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;
An interesting principle can be found ... in the correlation of the idols heathen folks worship ... and the judgments God brings upon them.
v.3
And
he pressed upon them greatly;
v.10
Lot and his family were finally out of Sodom ... but not completely out of danger.
Now the angels tell them to quickly escape ... to run for their lives
... specifically ... not to look back ... not to stay in the area ... but to escape to the mountain
...or they would perish.
v.24
But lay up for yourselves
For where
your treasure is,
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;
This very first verse concerning Lot's escape from Sodom ... reveals that the city of Sodom was destined to burn from the very beginning
... even before Lot chose to dwell in that place of looming destruction.
... even before Lot chose to dwell in that place of looming destruction.
We discover this through searching the Word, "Sodom"... in Strongs Concordance:
"Sodom"
[H5467]
[H5467]
= burning
Further study of the Words:
"burn ... burning ... burneth ... burned"
reveal:
... Heathen burn sacrifices to idols /Baal
(Jer.19:5 and elsewhere)
... Lust .."burned" one toward another in an unnatural way.
(Rom. 1:27)
... Wrath of God burns .. destroys by fire
(Ps. 89:46 .. elsewhere)
The Frog
... Principle
... Principle
An interesting principle can be found ... in the correlation of the idols heathen folks worship ... and the judgments God brings upon them.
In the case of frogs:
Frogs were worshiped in Egypt.
... Then ...
Frogs were sent as judgment.
In the case of Sodom/"Burning":
Burning lust/Baal worshipped
... Then ...
Burning was sent as judgment.
Their
favorite sin
= equals =
their own
judgment of choice
favorite sin
= equals =
their own
judgment of choice
While all hardships in life are not judgments as a result of sin
... sin and judgments for sin ... are defined in detail in the Word of God ... the Holy Bible
...and unless there is true repentance and conversion to Christ ... all sin will ultimately be judged.
... sin and judgments for sin ... are defined in detail in the Word of God ... the Holy Bible
...and unless there is true repentance and conversion to Christ ... all sin will ultimately be judged.
As in the case of Sodom ... God was no longer going to tolerate their sin ... so brought judgment and His wrath upon the land.
We can therefore surmise ... finding reference in the Scriptures ... that some judgments which come upon some lands are ... in fact ... a direct result to corresponding sins ... such as:
Disregard for God's Word .. (Water of the Word)
= flooding water and
tempestuous storms
tempestuous storms
Disregard for .. or misrepresenting the Holy Spirit (wind)
= tornadoes and
hurricanes
hurricanes
Theft
= loss of own property
Murder
= loss of life
(self or loved ones)
(self or loved ones)
Lust .."burning"
(unnatural desires)
(unnatural desires)
= being unloved
.. unable to have a
family
Extreme .. like Sodom
.. unable to have a
family
Extreme .. like Sodom
= destructive fire sent
from God
from God
In the Evening...
It was "at even".. evening when the two angels came to Sodom .. where Lot was sitting at the gate.
"Even"
[H6153]
"Even"
[H6153]
= "at sunset"
[H6150]
[H6150]
= "growing dark"
**This establishes a time-frame regarding Lot's departure .. escape from Sodom.**
...Lot meets the angels when it is just beginning to get dark.
...Lot meets the angels when it is just beginning to get dark.
v.2
"And he said,
Behold now, my lords,
"And he said,
Behold now, my lords,
turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house,
and
tarry all night,
tarry all night,
and
wash your feet,
wash your feet,
and
ye shall rise up early,
ye shall rise up early,
and
go on your ways.
go on your ways.
And
they said, Nay;
they said, Nay;
but
we will abide
we will abide
in the street
all night."
all night."
Lot offers the two angels (that appear to be men) accommodations in his home.
However ... these two angels were on a much greater mission than just finding a place to stay for the night.
They came to save Lot and his family from the wrath of God and total destruction.
They came to save Lot and his family from the wrath of God and total destruction.
But First ... the Test:
The angels had to test the condition of Lot's heart.
... So they respond to Lot's offer of respite in his home by saying:
..."No thanks ... we will be staying in the street all night."
The angels had to test the condition of Lot's heart.
... So they respond to Lot's offer of respite in his home by saying:
..."No thanks ... we will be staying in the street all night."
After all ... Lot was a resident of Sodom ... not exactly the most wholesome address in which to reside.
... So it was possible that some of "Sin City" could have influenced him.
... Maybe he was no longer worthy to escape the things that were about to come upon the earth
...Therefore ... Lot had to be tested.
... So it was possible that some of "Sin City" could have influenced him.
... Maybe he was no longer worthy to escape the things that were about to come upon the earth
...Therefore ... Lot had to be tested.
The Question ...
Was Lot going to be concerned for the welfare of these two men (angels) ... considering the immoral climate of this city?
... Or was he not going to be concerned ... because he had been accustomed to looking the other way
... or ... had possibly even participated in their sinful ways?
... Or was he not going to be concerned ... because he had been accustomed to looking the other way
... or ... had possibly even participated in their sinful ways?
v.3
And
he pressed upon them greatly;
and
they turned in
unto him,
they turned in
unto him,
and
entered into
his house;
entered into
his house;
and
he made them
a feast,
he made them
a feast,
and
did bake
unleavened bread,
did bake
unleavened bread,
and
they did eat."
they did eat."
Lot successfully passes the test by insisting that they absolutely must stay in his home.
... So the angels agree to go with Lot.
... So the angels agree to go with Lot.
When the angels get to Lot's home ... he prepares a feast for them ... bakes bread ... and they eat.
**All of this preparation of food ... baking ... and eating ... must have taken some time
... So here ... we are provided with another amount of time ... to work into the time-frame of Lot's escape.
v.4
... So here ... we are provided with another amount of time ... to work into the time-frame of Lot's escape.
v.4
"But before
they lay down,
they lay down,
the men of the city,
even the
men of Sodom,
men of Sodom,
compassed
the house round,
the house round,
both old and young,
all the people
from every quarter:"
from every quarter:"
v.5
"And
they called unto Lot,
they called unto Lot,
and
said unto him,
said unto him,
Where are the men
which came in
to thee this night?
to thee this night?
bring them out
unto us,
unto us,
that we may
know them."
know them."
**By now ... night has come:
But before the household could retire for the night ... the men ... young and old men ... from every part of Sodom
... surrounded Lot's house ... demanding Lot to send out the men (angels).
... surrounded Lot's house ... demanding Lot to send out the men (angels).
v.6
"And
Lot went out
Lot went out
at the door
unto them,
unto them,
and
shut the door
after him..."
shut the door
after him..."
v.7
"And said,
I pray you, brethren,
I pray you, brethren,
do not so wickedly."
v.8
"Behold now,
I have two daughters
which have not
known man;
known man;
let me, I pray you,
bring them out
unto you,
unto you,
and
do ye to them
as is good
in your eyes:
do ye to them
as is good
in your eyes:
only unto these men
do nothing;
do nothing;
for therefore
came they
came they
under the shadow
of my roof."
of my roof."
The men of Sodom are launching an attack against the sanctity of the home of Lot.
Lot tries to reason with them ... even offers his two daughters ... tells these crazed men that he anticipated this attack.
This is the very reason he brought the two men (angels) into the safety of his home.
Lot tries to reason with them ... even offers his two daughters ... tells these crazed men that he anticipated this attack.
This is the very reason he brought the two men (angels) into the safety of his home.
v.9
"And they said,
Stand back.
Stand back.
And
they said again,
they said again,
This one fellow
came in to sojourn,
came in to sojourn,
and
he will needs be
a judge:
he will needs be
a judge:
now will we
deal worse with thee,
deal worse with thee,
than with them.
And
they pressed sore
they pressed sore
upon the man,
even Lot,
even Lot,
and
came near
to break the door."
came near
to break the door."
The evil crowd continues to threaten Lot ... and becomes violent ... pushing Lot ... coming at the door ... intending to break it down.
v.10
"But
the men put forth
their hand,
the men put forth
their hand,
and
pulled Lot into
the house to them,
pulled Lot into
the house to them,
and
shut to the door."
v.11
shut to the door."
v.11
"And
they smote the men
they smote the men
that were at the door
of the house
of the house
with blindness,
both small and great:
both small and great:
so that they
wearied themselves
wearied themselves
to find the door."
The angels take charge ... coming to Lot's defense ... blinding the would-be intruders ... until they became weary ... trying to find the door.
v.12
v.12
"And
the men said
unto Lot,
the men said
unto Lot,
Hast thou here
any besides?
any besides?
son in law,
and
thy sons,
and
thy sons,
and
thy daughters,
thy daughters,
and
whatsoever thou hast
in the city,
whatsoever thou hast
in the city,
bring them
out of this place:"
out of this place:"
v.13
"For
we will destroy
this place,
we will destroy
this place,
because
the cry of them
the cry of them
is waxen great
before the face
of the LORD;
of the LORD;
and
the LORD
the LORD
hath sent us
to destroy it."
to destroy it."
Next ... the angels deliver the message God has given them to bring to Lot instructing him:
... to get his family together
... take them out of this place
... sudden destruction was imminent
... God had sent them to warn him.
... take them out of this place
... sudden destruction was imminent
... God had sent them to warn him.
v.14
"And Lot went out,
and
spake unto his
sons in law,
spake unto his
sons in law,
which married
his daughters,
his daughters,
and said,
Up, get you out
of this place;
of this place;
for the LORD
will destroy this city.
will destroy this city.
But
he seemed as
one that mocked
he seemed as
one that mocked
unto his sons in law."
Lot tries to alert his family to the coming danger and their need to depart.
He goes to His sons in law to inform them ... but what Lot is telling them is so far outside of their frame of reference
... they think he is "mocking"
... therefore they pay no attention to him ... don't take what he is saying seriously.
"mocking"
[H6711]
He goes to His sons in law to inform them ... but what Lot is telling them is so far outside of their frame of reference
... they think he is "mocking"
... therefore they pay no attention to him ... don't take what he is saying seriously.
"mocking"
[H6711]
= making sport
= joking
v.15
"And when
the morning arose,
the morning arose,
then the angels
hastened Lot,
hastened Lot,
saying, Arise,
take thy wife,
and
thy two daughters,
thy two daughters,
which are here;
lest thou be
consumed in
the iniquity
of the city."
consumed in
the iniquity
of the city."
***Now it is sunrise...
The angels increase pressure with another warning ... urge Lot to get up
... tell him to gather his wife and two daughters
... or they will surely perish in this city of sin.
v.16
... tell him to gather his wife and two daughters
... or they will surely perish in this city of sin.
v.16
"And
while he lingered,
while he lingered,
the men laid hold
upon his hand,
upon his hand,
and
upon the hand
of his wife,
upon the hand
of his wife,
and
upon the hand
of his two daughters;
upon the hand
of his two daughters;
the LORD
being merciful
unto him:
being merciful
unto him:
and
they brought
him forth,
they brought
him forth,
and
set him without
the city."
set him without
the city."
Lot hesitates ... perhaps he is having difficulty processing the reality of the angels' description of this looming disaster ... himself.
So while Lot lingers ... the angels take action.
Time is Running out.
This is not a time to freeze in one's tracks ... with confusion and disbelief.
This is not a time to freeze in one's tracks ... with confusion and disbelief.
Because of God's mercy ... the angels take hold of Lot's wife and two daughters ... and bring them out of the city.
v.17
"And
it came to pass,
it came to pass,
when they
had brought them
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."
Lot and his family were finally out of Sodom ... but not completely out of danger.
Now the angels tell them to quickly escape ... to run for their lives
... specifically ... not to look back ... not to stay in the area ... but to escape to the mountain
...or they would perish.
v.18
"And
Lot said unto them,
Lot said unto them,
Oh, not so, my Lord:
v.19
Behold now,
thy servant
hath found grace
in thy sight,
hath found grace
in thy sight,
and
thou hast magnified
thy mercy,
thou hast magnified
thy mercy,
which thou
hast shewed
hast shewed
unto me
in saving my life;
in saving my life;
and
I cannot escape
I cannot escape
to the mountain,
lest some evil
take me, and I die:..."
take me, and I die:..."
Lot is a very fearful city dweller.
He begs for mercy and tries to bargain with the angels.
He begs for mercy and tries to bargain with the angels.
After all God has done to provide Lot's safe escape from Sodom ... and to save his life
... Lot is still afraid to "rough it" on the mountain ... to go into unfamiliar territory
... to step out in faith ... into an unknown environment trusting God to keep him safe.
v.20
... Lot is still afraid to "rough it" on the mountain ... to go into unfamiliar territory
... to step out in faith ... into an unknown environment trusting God to keep him safe.
v.20
"Behold now,
this city is near
to flee unto,
to flee unto,
and
it is a little one:
it is a little one:
Oh, let me
escape thither,
escape thither,
(is it not a little one?)
and
my soul shall live.
v.21
my soul shall live.
v.21
And he said unto him,
See, I have
accepted thee
accepted thee
concerning
this thing also,
this thing also,
that I will not
overthrow this city,
overthrow this city,
for the which
thou hast spoken.
v.22
thou hast spoken.
v.22
Haste thee,
escape thither;
escape thither;
for I cannot
do any thing
do any thing
till thou
be come thither.
be come thither.
Therefore
the name of the city
the name of the city
was called Zoar.
v.23
v.23
The sun was risen
upon the earth
when Lot
entered into Zoar."
entered into Zoar."
Processing Fear...
Interesting ... the angels do not deny the existence of this fearful situation ... or rebuke Lot for being fearful
... but grant Lot's request ... demonstrating the mercy of God ... in these very stressful circumstances
... but grant Lot's request ... demonstrating the mercy of God ... in these very stressful circumstances
... they consider the human condition
... reminding us that faith and courage are God-given attributes ... but so are mercy and grace.
... reminding us that faith and courage are God-given attributes ... but so are mercy and grace.
...remembering that fear must first be validated by confirming the reality of what is actually taking place
... or by removing the source of fear
... before it can be correctly processed and successfully overcome.
... or by removing the source of fear
... before it can be correctly processed and successfully overcome.
Denying that a fearful situation exists ... only causes more fear ... in the end.
So Lot and his family escape to a city called "Zoar."
"Zoar"
[H6820]
[H6820]
= "insignificant" place
Lot is now content to leave a very sinful worldly place ... for an "insignificant"... very humble one.
Lot is now content to leave a very sinful worldly place ... for an "insignificant"... very humble one.
It's morning ... when Lot enters Zoar ... and God's judgment is carried out.
v.24
"Then the LORD
rained upon Sodom
and
upon Gomorrah
upon Gomorrah
brimstone and fire
from the LORD
out of heaven;
v.25
out of heaven;
v.25
And
he overthrew
he overthrew
those cities,
and all the plain,
and all the plain,
and
all the inhabitants
of the cities,
all the inhabitants
of the cities,
and
that which grew
that which grew
upon the ground."
God said it ... and it was done.
The wrath of God is poured out upon
... Sodom and Gomorrah
... all of the surrounding area
... destroying all of the inhabitants
...destroying all of the plants that grew in the land.
... Sodom and Gomorrah
... all of the surrounding area
... destroying all of the inhabitants
...destroying all of the plants that grew in the land.
v.26
"But
his wife looked back
his wife looked back
from behind him,
and
she became
she became
a pillar of salt."
... BUT ... Lot's wife doesn't heed the warning of the Word of God ... which His angels had brought to them
... She does the very thing they were warned
... NOT TO DO.
... BUT ... Lot's wife doesn't heed the warning of the Word of God ... which His angels had brought to them
... She does the very thing they were warned
... NOT TO DO.
Lot's wife looks back to Sodom.
Her heart was not following the direction in which God was leading them
...God was taking them out of the sinful world in which they had lived.
...God was taking them out of the sinful world in which they had lived.
But the heart of Lot's wife was not focused on where God was taking them
... but instead ... on the world she loved and the place she really longed to be.
... but instead ... on the world she loved and the place she really longed to be.
Because of the condition of her heart
... she lost her life.
... she lost her life.
This historical event recorded in the Word of God ... clearly pictures the rapture of believers ... the Bride of Christ
...by means of escape ... departure.
...by means of escape ... departure.
. . .BUT. . .
The moral
of
this true story
is found
in the true condition
of
our own heart
. . .AND. . .
the warning Jesus gave
to us all
when He said. . .
to us all
when He said. . .
"Lay not up for yourselves
treasures
upon earth,
upon earth,
where moth and rust
doth corrupt,
and
where thieves
break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves
treasures
in heaven,
in heaven,
where neither
moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and
where thieves
where thieves
do not break through
nor steal:
nor steal:
For where
your treasure is,
there will
your heart be also."
-Matthew 6:19-21
-Matthew 6:19-21
. . .And. . .
"Remember Lot's Wife."
-Luke 17:32
Is Your
Eternal Life
Secure?
Eternal Life
Secure?
To be sure:
Scroll to top
of
this page
of
this page
and
Click on the gift
wrapped in gold
in
the left column.
♡♡♡
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