_A.M. 2106. B.C. 1898._
In this chapter we have the result of the inquiry concerning the state
of Sodom.
(1,) _ It was found upon trial that Lot was a good Man 1:1-3; but it
did not appear that there were any more of the same character._
(2,) _ It was found that the Sodomites were very wicked, Ge... [ Continue Reading ]
_There came two angels_ Probably two of the three that had just before
been with Abraham, the two created angels, who were now sent to
execute God's purpose concerning Sodom. _Lot sat in the gate of Sodom_
Waiting for an opportunity of entertaining strangers, in which he
imitated Abraham, and set an... [ Continue Reading ]
_They said, Nay, but we will abide in the street all night_ So they
said, not only to give Lot an opportunity of evincing the sincerity
and cordiality of his invitation, but because it was their real
intention to abide in the street, where they, no doubt, would have
abode, if he had not so much urge... [ Continue Reading ]
_He pressed upon them greatly_ Partly because he would by no means
have them to expose themselves to the perils and insults which he was
aware awaited their lodging _in the street of Sodom_, and partly
because he was desirous of their converse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No description which could be given of their vile and abominable
conduct, however laboured, could possibly have conveyed so striking an
idea of their unparalleled wickedness, as this simple narrative of
facts. Here _were old and young, all from every quarter_ Collected for
practices too shameful to... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have two daughters_ This was unadvisedly and unjustifiably offered,
probably through the great discomposure and perturbation which his
mind was in. It is true, of two evils we must choose the less, but of
two sins we must choose neither, nor ever do evil that good may come
of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they smote the men with blindness_ This was designed to put an
end to their attempt, and to be an earnest of their utter ruin the
next day.... [ Continue Reading ]
_We will destroy this place_ The holy angels are ministers of God's
wrath for the destruction of sinners, as well as of his mercy for the
preservation and deliverance of his people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lot spake to his sons-in-law_, &c. It is likely these _sons-in- law_
had married other daughters of Lot, who were now dead, or who
afterward perished in the destruction of the city. _Up, get you out of
this place_ The manner of expression is startling. It was not a time
to trifle, when the destruct... [ Continue Reading ]
_While he lingered_ He did not make so much haste as the case
required, and this would have been fatal to him, if the angels had not
_laid hold on his hand, and brought him forth._ Herein _the Lord was
merciful to him;_ and if God had not been _merciful to us_, our
lingering had been our ruin.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Look not behind thee_ He must not loiter by the way; _stay not in all
the plain_ For it would all be made one dead sea; he must not take up
short of the place of refuge appointed him; _escape to the mountain_
Such are the commands given to those who, through grace, are delivered
out of a sinful sta... [ Continue Reading ]
_I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither_ The very presence of
good men in a place helps to keep off judgments. See what care God
takes for the preservation of his people!... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the Lord rained, from the Lord The Son_, who had conversed with
Abraham, from _the Father_, for _the Father has committed all judgment
to the Son._ He that is they Saviour will be the destroyer of those
that reject the salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he overthrew those cities_, and _all the inhabitants_ of them,
_the plain_, and all that _grew upon the ground_ It was an utter ruin,
and irreparable; that fruitful valley remains to this day a great
lake, or dead sea. Travellers say it is about thirty miles long, and
ten miles broad. It has no... [ Continue Reading ]
_But his wife looked back from behind him_ Herein she disobeyed an
express command. Probably she hankered after her house and goods in
Sodom, and was loath to leave them. Christ intimates this to be her
sin, Luke 17:31; she too much regarded her stuff. And her looking back
spoke an inclination to go... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Abraham gat up early_ To see what was become of his prayers, he
went to the very place where he had _stood before the Lord. And he
looked toward Sodom_ Not as Lot's wife did, tacitly reflecting upon
the divine severity, but humbly adoring it, and acquiescing in it.
Here is God's favourable rega... [ Continue Reading ]
_He feared to dwell in Zoar_ Probably he found it as wicked as Sodom;
and therefore concluded it could not long survive it; or perhaps he
observed the rise and increase of those waters, which, after the
conflagration, began to overflow the plain, and which, mixing with the
ruins, by degrees, made th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Come, let us make our father drink wine_ Although, upon the whole,
Lot was a righteous man, and possessed of many amiable qualities, yet
it evidently appears that his principles also, as well as those of his
daughters, had suffered some degree of contamination by the society of
evil-doers, otherwis... [ Continue Reading ]