Lot's Hesitation and the Angels' Intervention
Jump to: SubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Background and Context:
Lot, the nephew of Abraham, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. This event is recorded in Genesis 19, where Lot's hesitation and the subsequent intervention by angels play a crucial role in his deliverance from impending judgment.

Lot's Hesitation:
Lot's account unfolds in the city of Sodom, a place notorious for its wickedness and sin. Despite the city's moral decay, Lot had chosen to settle there, likely drawn by its prosperity and opportunities. However, when the time came for divine judgment, Lot's attachment to Sodom became evident through his hesitation.

In Genesis 19:15-16 , we read: "As the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, 'Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city.' But when Lot hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters, and led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD’s compassion for them."

Lot's hesitation can be seen as a reflection of his struggle between the comforts and attachments of his current life and the call to obey God's urgent command. This moment of indecision highlights the human tendency to cling to the familiar, even when it is detrimental to spiritual well-being.

The Angels' Intervention:
Recognizing Lot's reluctance, the angels intervened decisively. Their actions were not merely a response to Lot's hesitation but a demonstration of divine mercy and compassion. The angels physically took hold of Lot and his family, leading them out of the city to ensure their safety.

This intervention underscores the theme of divine grace, as God, through His messengers, actively works to save Lot despite his wavering faith. The angels' grasping of Lot's hand symbolizes God's unwavering commitment to deliver His people, even when they falter.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, Lot's hesitation and the angels' intervention serve as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and mercy. It illustrates the tension between human frailty and divine grace. Lot's account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of becoming too entangled with worldly concerns, yet it also offers hope that God's compassion can rescue and redeem.

The narrative also emphasizes the importance of obedience and trust in God's commands. Lot's eventual escape from Sodom is not due to his own merit but rather the result of divine intervention. This highlights the belief that salvation is ultimately an act of God's grace, not human effort.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:
For believers, Lot's experience serves as an exhortation to remain vigilant and responsive to God's guidance. It encourages a detachment from worldly enticements and a readiness to follow God's leading, even when it requires leaving behind the familiar and comfortable.

The angels' intervention is a testament to God's active role in the lives of His people, providing assurance that He will guide and protect those who seek to follow Him. It is a call to trust in God's plan and to act promptly in obedience to His word, knowing that His ways are higher and His purposes are for our ultimate good.
Subtopics

Lot

Lot: The Son of Haran: Accompanies Terah from Ur of the Chaldees to Haran

Lot: The Son of Haran: Commits Incest With his Daughters

Lot: The Son of Haran: Disobediently Protests Against Going to the Mountains, and Chooses Zoar

Lot: The Son of Haran: His Wife Disobediently Yearns After Sodom, and Becomes a Pillar of Salt

Lot: The Son of Haran: Migrates With Abraham to the Land of Canaan

Lot: The Son of Haran: Providentially Saved from Destruction in Sodom

Lot: The Son of Haran: Returns With Him to Beth-El

Lot: The Son of Haran: Separates from Abraham, and Locates in Sodom

Lot: The Son of Haran: Taken Captive by Chedorlaomer; Rescued by Abraham

The Lot used After the Captivity

The Lot used to Fix the Time for the Execution of Condemned Persons

The Lot: Achan's Guilt Ascertained By

The Lot: An Apostle Chosen By

The Lot: General Scriptures Concerning

The Lot: Jonah's

The Lot: Jonathan's

The Lot: Priests and Levites Designated By, for Sanctuary Service

The Lot: Saul Chosen King By

The Lot: The Garments of Jesus Divided By

The Lot: The Land of Canaan Divided Among Tribes By

The Lot: The Scapegoat Chosen By

Related Terms

Lord'the (1 Occurrence)

Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Zabdi (17 Occurrences)

Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)

Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

Kadesh-barnea (9 Occurrences)

Zealot (4 Occurrences)

Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences)

Victorious (17 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

Lot's Hesitation and Divine Mercy
Top of Page
Top of Page