Before we discuss this portion of Lot’s account of leaving Sodom, we must remember that his sons-in-law previously thought he was joking when he talked to them about the destruction of the city (Genesis 19:14).
It appears that the angels had no more impact on Lot than he had on his sons-in-law.
When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Get up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or else you will be consumed in the punishment of the city.”
But he lingered, so the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and left him outside the city.
When they had brought them outside, they said, “Flee for your life; do not look back or stop anywhere in the plain; flee to the hills, or else you will be consumed” (Genesis 19:15-17).
The verb the messengers use for “flee” or “escape” is used five times. We might expect Lot to be more responsive to the angels’ warnings, especially considering two recent events:
- The harrowing encounter with the townsmen who threatened Lot and his guests.
- The miraculous intervention by the angels, who struck the aggressors with blindness.
Despite witnessing these extraordinary occurrences, Lot hesitates. The angels find themselves compelled to strongly urge him to depart, highlighting an unexpected reluctance on Lot’s part to pay attention to God’s intervention.
We study the Bible for more than its historical significance; it serves as a source of spiritual insight and guidance.
We do well to reflect on our own lives and consider whether there have been times when the Lord provided us with instruction—through the Holy Spirit, scripture, or others—and we resisted that guidance.
Often, this resistance stems from our desire to pursue our own path rather than follow God’s direction.
Oh, No, My Lords
I vividly recall a car ride with a friend battling addiction. He turned to me and said, “My head is out to kill me.”
My friend’s statement reflects Lot’s situation:
- He was in the presence of two angels.
- He had just endured a frightening experience with the townspeople.
- He had been warned of the city’s imminent destruction.
Yet, despite these extraordinary circumstances, Lot argues with the angels about their escape plan.
And Lot said to them, “Oh, no, my lords; your servant has found favor with you, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life, but I cannot flee to the hills, for fear the disaster will overtake me and I die.
Look, that city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” (Genesis 19:18-20).
Lot shows us that even in the face of clear danger and divine intervention, we can be our own worst enemies.
When we think about it, we know how deeply ingrained patterns of thought and behavior can lead us to resist help and guidance, even when our lives depend on it.
Lot’s problem is a recurring theme both in the Bible and in contemporary life. It highlights a common human tendency:
After receiving divine guidance, we often fall into the trap of believing we must secure our safety and well-being, rather than trusting in God’s protection, guidance, and guidance.
This inclination to rely on our judgment instead of fully embracing God’s will is a persistent challenge. It reflects the struggle between faith and self-reliance, illustrating how difficult it can be to surrender control even when faced with clear divine instruction.
By recognizing this pattern, we can strive to cultivate a deeper trust in God’s plan and provision, ultimately leading to the best life possible.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 