Warning

DEVOTION

GENESIS

WARNING

Gen 19:12-22

12 The two men said to Lot, "Do you have anyone else here — sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, 13 because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it." 14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, "Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!" But his sons-in-law thought he was joking. 15 With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished." 16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. 17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!" 18 But Lot said to them, "No, my lords, please! 19 Your servant has found favor in your eyes, and you have shown great kindness to me in sparing my life. But I can't flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I'll die. 20 Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it — it is very small, isn't it? Then my life will be spared." 21 He said to him, "Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. 22 But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it." (That is why the town was called Zoar.)

NIV

It is difficult to separate this dialog between Lot and the angels although there is more than truth or lesson for us. Now that the angels have saved Lot and his household from the angry passion thirsty men of the city, they inform him of what the Lord is about to do and that he and his household should get out of town. It rather odd that Lot now goes outside to speak to his future sons in law. Were they not part of the “all the men of the city, young and old” who were wanting these two strangers for their purpose? These two were pledged to Lots daughters, but were still seeking pleasure with these two strangers. Nevertheless, Lot attempts to get them out of town to save their lives. He has either a certain respect for them, or he was wanting his daughters to have some opportunity of a normal life, married and having children. Yet as with so many who seek to fulfill their own passions, they had no interest in the warning about the coming disaster. These two sons in law thought Lot was joking, they laughed it off. It is not much different today. God has declared in no uncertain terms he will destroy this earth with fire one day. This day is coming, just as it came for the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah when fire will rain down from heaven and consume this earth. The angels warning Lot to flee the city, he and his household, get out now. Yet Lot even hesitated. Why did he hesitate? Had he become too comfortable with his own life in the city that he did not want to leave it? Had his position as either a city leader or successful businessman lure him into this hesitation? But the angels would have nothing to do with this, they grabbed his hand and forced him to leave, actually leading him and his wife and daughters out of the city because the Lord was merciful to them. God in his infinite wisdom knows what is best for us. He has had mercy on us by sending his son Jesus to save us. He has sent messengers all throughout the ages to warn us of the impending disaster which is to come upon the earth. However, he does not forcibly make people escape, they must make that choice on their own. Yet it does seem at times, at least with those who have decided to follow Jesus, God does take us by the hand and lead us from danger. There are also times when we might hesitate to respond and God insists, so he makes it very clear as to the path we must take. As the angels lead Lot, God leads us. He may use a varied method but it is clear he will lead us from danger to safety. Lot was not excited about heading up into the mountains, he had become comfortable with city life, although he had once lived as a nomad. He implored the angels not to send him to the mountains, that there was a small city he could go to, a very small insignificant city. Once again the Lord allowed his request. God will grant our requests if we are truthful with him. Lot was afraid of going into the hills. He was not prepared to live like that again. His fear gripped him and he asked for help. The Lord granted his request as he will for us, if we are truthful with him. We have fears in life, we get anxious about what is going to happen. We have thoughts about how will we survive this situation or that one. But God is near and if we draw near to him he will draw near to us. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. God will not lead us into a place we could not survive in. So he allowed Lot this change of venue, to a small town instead of the mountains. We also see that the Lord told Lot that he must hurry in his escape for he would not destroy the cities until he has reached his destination safely. This too is for the peoples of today. God is waiting to destroy this place until we all reach safety. Granted some will never even leave town to follow the Lord to safety. But he already knows who will and who will not. The reason destruction has not already come upon the earth is he knows there are still some who will listen to the warning and leave this city of darkness, and cross over to the city of light and life. We have made that journey, but others must also. Who will be the messengers to warn them? Will God send them angels or will he use us? The truth is he has given all men a fair warning.