Bible Study Online Article

In the last article we'd discovered just how personal Abraham's relationship was with the Lord. For we'd learned just how much God thought of Abraham and their relationship:

"Shall I hide from Abraham what I'm about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations on earth will be blessed through him.

"For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him." -- (Genesis 18:17-20)

And because of this very personal relationship, we'd also saw how Abraham was able to use this special connection with the Lord, when it came to trying to bargain for the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Now keep in mind, that Abraham had tried his best, to give the Lord a reason -- when it came to sparing the two cities. And know that Abraham's efforts weren't in vain, for the Sacred Record revealed many times during their exchange, that the Lord had agreed to spare the two cities -- if they had met Abraham's criteria for saving them.

However, that may have been, the Sacred Record has now turned our attention towards the cites of Sodom and Gomorrah. For we find that two, of the three, angelic men -- that had visited with Abraham, had finally arrived at the city, that was known as -- Sodom. Also know, that it was in the evening, when they had approached the city gateway.

Know that Abraham's nephew Lot, was sitting there, and when he saw the two men approaching -- he immediately got up, and went over to greet them: "My lords, please turn aside to your servants house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning," Lot would say as he bowed before them. But one of the angelic men responded by saying: "No... we will spend the night in the square." But the Sacred Record reveals, that Lot would be persistent in his request, so-much-so -- that the angelic men would finally agree, to go back to his house.

Now it would be at this time, that Lot would prepare a meal for the two, once they made it back to where he'd lived. After Lot's angelic guest had eaten their meal, a short while later, we learn -- that the Sacred Record would inform us, that the men of Sodom -- both young, and old, had came from every part of the city and surrounded Lot's house: "Where are the men who came and went with you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them," The men of Sodom demanded, as they shouted out to Lot.

Now after hearing the men of Sodom's demands, Lot gets very worried, and decides to go outside and have a talk with them: "No my friends, don't do this wicked thing. Look I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don't do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof." -- Genesis 19:7,8

Now before we go further, understand that Lot was seen by the men of Sodom -- as a foreigner, when it came to their land. Now I'm simply pointing this out, because they're a couple of different viewpoints, that are taught -- when it comes to this account, in regards to Lot's position, from within the city?

And although some would assume that Lot didn't hold, or possess, any type of position -- or power from within the city. I mean after all, if one were to humble themselves, and be honest -- and open-minded, could you actually rule out the possibility, that Lot could have held some type of ranking position -- from within the city of Sodom? Could it really be that too farfetched, for Lot to have been some type of city official, or judge?

Have we so soon, forgotten, that when Lot had settled within the land -- that he was a very wealthy man? And on top of that, have we also forgotten, that sometime before this event -- that Abraham had once saved the Sodom king, and his allies, from the Chedorlaomer rebellion? A rebellion that had almost destroyed the Sodom kingdom. Could it also be possible, that the Sodom king would have rewarded Lot in some way, because of his Abraham's (who was his uncle) great contribution to their kingdom?

And if this is the case, could this also be the reason, why he'd sat at the gate of the city? Now I'm presenting this question, in such a way, because during those days of Sodom -- city officials, or judges, were known to have their posts positioned at the city gate entrance. I mean after all, it's something to think about, and seriously consider.

And obviously, to most, this little bit of information won't matter to them. But to those of you, who are willing to go the extra mile, who are willing to go beyond -- Lot's position from within the city of Sodom, is something to think seriously about. For it would also shed some insight, into why Lot and his wife, heck his family overall -- were so reluctant to leave.

But I digressed...

However that may have been, know that the men of Sodom were offended, by Lot's proposition. For they responded by angrily saying, as they press forth to break down Lot's house door: "Get out of our way... this fellow came here as a foreigner and now he wants to play the judge! We'll treat you worse than them."

So after hearing this, the two angelic men, who the men of Sodom were after -- reached out to grab Lot back into the house. And after the two angels had retrieved Lot, they then turned their attention to the men of Sodom, and upon doing so -- they struck the men of Sodom with blindness, as they were trying to break down Lot's house door: "Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, young and old, with blindness so that they could not find the door." -- Genesis 19:11

And after the two angels had struck the men of Sodom with blindness, they then turned to Lot and asked him a question, and then told him: "Do you have anyone else here, sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city that belongs to you? Get out of here, 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 this city." The two angels warned Lot.

So Lot took heed to what the angels had said to him, and he headed out from the house, in order to go and find his future son-in-laws -- who'd pledged to marry his daughters. And when Lot had found them, he warned them: "Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is going to destroy the city!" But know that his future son-in-laws, did not take Lot seriously, for they thought that he was joking.

And you know, I often think about the reactions from Lot's sons-in-laws whenever I go through this account, for one could easily presume -- that it's very well possible, that Lot wasn't living a holy life, and so therefore -- when it came to his future son-in-laws, thinking about how Lot was claiming that he had heard from God -- they simply didn't believe him. But this time around, they should have believed Lot, but unfortunately for them -- they didn't.

However, when Lot had finally made it back to his house, the two angels insisted -- that Lot and his two daughters, along with his wife, would have to leave at once -- or they would be destroyed, along with the cities. But Lot would hesitate, and after he had shown that he was reluctant to leave, the two angels would grab Lot's hand -- and the hands of his wife, and their two daughters, and began to lead them safely out of the city. And one can't help but to wonder, that if it hadn't been for Abraham and his personal relationship with the Lord, the God that Abraham served, wouldn't had been so merciful towards Lot and his family.

However that may have been, know that it would be at this particular time, that the angels would begin yelling out to Lot and his family: "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!"

But surprisingly, once again, Lot would hesitate as he'd tried to bargain and plead -- for some new instructions from the angels: "No my lords, please! 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. 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."

And after hearing what Lot had to say, the two angels would surprisingly, grant Lot's request: "Very well, I will grant this request too; I will not overthrow the town you speak of. But flee there quickly, because I cannot do anything until you reach it". Know that the small town that Lot had spoken of, and had requested to seek refuge at, was called Zoar -- and the name meant "a little one."

We'll now that we'd seen how Lot and his family would be spared (thanks to his uncle Abraham) from the wrath of God, as He judges Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness. In the next article, we'll see if Lot and his family, would take full advantage of the mercy that had been shown to them by the Almighty.

God Creates the Earth

The Sons of God - The Daughters of Men

The Introduction of Abraham

**YOUR CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE SERIES - WOULD BE HERE**

The Birth of Isaac

The Birth of Esau & Jacob

Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty

Jacob - Wrestles with God

Joseph the Favorite Son

Joseph the Overseer of Egypt

The Unveiling of Joseph

10) Abraham the Father of a Multitude

11) Sarah the Mother of Nations

12) Sarah Laughs & Doubts God

13) Abraham Bargains for Sodom

14) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE->

15) The Judgment of Lot's Wife

16) The Daughters of Lot

17) Abimelech Angry with Abraham

18) The Birth of Isaac