Genesis 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold on his hand, and on the hand of his wife, and on the hand of his two daughters… I. It is natural to speak, first, of THE NEED LOT HAD TO ESCAPE; OR, OF THE JUDGMENT BY WHICH THE CITY WAS OVERTAKEN. It is God's way to be long-suffering. Judgment is a work He does not love. His will is that none should perish. But the cup of Sodom was now overflowing; nor was there any longer hope of its repentance. It was fully time that God's abhorrence of iniquity should be made to appear. Mercy to surrounding tribes and succeeding generations in danger of falling into like depths demanded this. When nations, cities, families, or individuals become hopeless in their impiety and corruption, when remedial agencies no longer promise good, what, then, shall a just, righteous, and good ruler do? Is it not a startling warning of the just judgment sure to overtake all sin unpardoned, because unconfessed and unforsaken? II. But we must pass to consider, next, WHY IT WAS THAT OF ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THAT WICKED CITY, LOT SHOULD BE PERMITTED TO ESCAPE. "'The Lord being merciful to him." "Thou hast magnified Thy mercy, which Thou hast showed unto me in saving my life." Poor as was the quality of Lot's religion, he had some measure of that which is real. He did not lose all faith in the true God. III. Thus we are brought to speak of some things which appear with respect to THE MANNER OF LOT'S ESCAPE. 1. With very great difficulty. To the very last God's messengers must use urgency and compulsion! So He must, and does, with many an irresolute believer. Often He graciously applies the rod. 2. But Lot's escape was not only with great difficulty, it was also with much bitter sorrow and painful loss. IV. The narrative thus briefly considered abounds in LESSONS of the greatest practical importance. 1. The long-suffering of God may be worn out. Judgment is then sure. 2. None whom mercy can rescue will be suffered to perish. Lot, the most imperfect of believers, was saved. 3. To subordinate religious fidelity to worldly advantage or pleasure is always a costly and often a fatal mistake. 4. In rescuing others, one may sometimes have to use a sort of loving violence; "pulling them out of the fire." 5. It is possible to be "almost saved, but lost." (H. M. Grout, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. |
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