Repeated phrases:
(1) the role of Lot to the City of Sodom
"Lot was sitting in the city’s gateway" v.1
(NET) Lot was exercising some type of judicial function (see the use of the idiom in 2 Sam 19:8; Jer 26:10; 38:7; 39:3).
v.7 19:7 He said, “No, my brothers! Don’t act so wickedly!
v.9 “Out of our way!” they cried, and “This man came to live here as a foreigner, and now he dares to judge us!We’ll do more harm to you than to them!”
Lot chose the piece of land near Sodom when Abram gave him the choice 13:12. He knew that the people of Sodom were extremely wicked rebels against the LORD (13:13). Perhaps he was living near Sodom and then he moved inside of Sodom. Perhaps he thought he could help to control the sin of the city by being their judge, but now his authority was never being accepted. He was just a foreigner to them. They would do more harm to Lot than to the 2 angels!
Reflection: Do we move closer and closer to the sinful lifestyle? We thought we could have control over it but just fooling ourselves?
(2) the role of Lot to his family
Before the 2 angels going to destroy the city they wanted to make sure that Lot and his family were pulled out first.
v.12 Then the two visitors said to Lot, “Who else do you have here? Do you have any sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or other relatives in the city? Get them out of this place
v. 14 Then Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law who were going to marry his daughters. He said, “Quick, get out of this place because the LORD is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was ridiculing them.
Lot thought his sons-in-law was under him and he could save them. They did not believe in his words.
(NET) These men mistakenly thought Lot was ridiculing them and their lifestyle. Their response illustrates how morally insensitive they had become.
Why they would be like that? If the outcry against the city was so great why these 2 young men notice that? Why was that only Lot would believed in the 2 angels, but no one else did? Lot thought that he was the judge, and the leader of his family, but he never was. He did not teach his family about what was right and what was wrong.
Reflection: How shall we lead? If we do not teach our people about what God like and hate or what is right and wrong we fail to be a leader. When our people is insensitive to sins around us and do not believe the warning of God then we, as a leader, fail. What will be the reaction of your people if the angels come today and want you to pull your people out of Minneapolis?
(3) The role of Lot to the 2 angels
"When Lot saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face toward the ground" v.1, "He said, “Here, my lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house. Stay the night and wash your feet" v.2, "He prepared a feast for them, including bread baked without yeast, and they ate" v.3
Basically, Lot did what Abraham did to the 3 guests. He was the host and tried his best to host his guests.
19:8 Look, I have two daughters who have never had sexual relations with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do to them whatever you please. Only don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.”
He tried to protect his guests and even offered his 2 daughters for the sake of the guests. I cannot image any father could have done that to his daughters. I thank God that He intervened and did not allow Lot to that to his daughters. Actually, the 2 angels whom Lot thought he needed to protect helped him and saved the whole family.
v.10-11 So the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house as they shut the door. 19:11 Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, from the youngest to the oldest, with blindness. The men outside wore themselves out trying to find the door.
(NET) This chapter portrays Lot as a hypocrite. He is well aware of the way the men live in his city and is apparently comfortable in the midst of it. But when confronted by the angels, he finally draws the line. But he is nevertheless willing to sacrifice his daughters’ virginity to protect his guests. His opposition to the crowds leads to his rejection as a foreigner by those with whom he had chosen to live. The one who attempted to rescue his visitors ends up having to be rescued by them.
Reflection: Do we live our lives as hypocrites? Do we know who we are? Do we fool ourselves and never fulfill our role? As mother, as teacher, as leader of the community?
Do you think you are the protector, but actually you are the one who needed to be protected?
Audrey
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