There’s a lot to learn about Lot 🙂 too cheesy, sorry. I’m reading the chronological one year Bible and it never fails I am reminded of a promise or see and learn something new from the Old Testament.
Something caught my attention this morning when it came to Lot, Abraham his uncle, Lot’s wife and two daughters. I’m not getting into the details of after the destruction of his city/country (Sodom and Gomorrah) because he has issues. Some of those issues are present in the world in 2018.
But the specific instance that was highlighted to me this morning, was the part of the story where angels were sent in to rescue Lot before the destruction. Or practically rescue him from himself. They warned him to get out before the city was destroyed. Abraham had requested to God to keep his nephew Lot safe and remove him from the disaster (Gen. 19:29). So the Lord granted his request and sent two angels to tell him to leave. To bring his wife and two daughters.
Evidently it took several hours or overnight to convince Lot and his family this was like, the real deal. At dawn the next morning (Gen 19:15) they said it is time to go. In verse 16, it says, “Lot still hesitated”
This struck me – as I read the backstory of what kind of city Lot had been living in – complete darkness, demoralization of a community, no boundaries of wrong/right, so flagrant, total wickedness as described in the chapter before.
He hesitated leaving all of this – knowing what was destined to happen from the Lord – complete destruction. He still hesitated. Don’t we all do this, at some point? Or maybe you don’t. But I tried to look back into my life and ask the Lord where did I hesitate or am I currently hesitating? Is there something you are trying to spare me from? Or keep me from being a part of?
If you are a believer, Please take a minute to ask the same questions now and here’s the next part of the story and possibly a prayer for the rescuing.
The same verse 16 states “Lot hesitated, but the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was Merciful.” How amazing is His mercy. How cool the Lord used his angels in man form to rescue them literally by dragging them out.
When they were safely out, the order from the angels was “don’t look back or stop – keep going so you can escape”. Isn’t that what we do – we look back into the place we were rescued from? Why do we do that? Had it become our normal? Did it bring such temporary pleasure, even in its wickedness or flagrancy, that we missed it or wanted to go back? Was it someone we left behind, we would want to look back and rescue ourselves…at a high price.
I’m just thinking out loud here, but challenge you to take a minute and ask yourself why you look back from the thing, the place, the actions, addictions or relationship God is or has rescued you from. Sit in it and talk with Jesus about it.
There was a consequence when Lot’s wife looked back. Man, why did she look back? What drew her to the actions going on in Sodom and Gomorrah? I’m no theologian, just wondering. And try to ask the Lord how this story applies to me now in 2018. Am I hearing you clearly Lord when you send angels in to rescue me? Am I doing what is right and just and keeping your ways. Obviously, I’m not perfect, but this should be my goal and intent.
I pray the angels of the Lord don’t have to seize my hands and pull me out of the destruction or wicked mess I find myself in. But I do look back, and thank God for sending them in my past. You are truly merciful Lord – we don’t deserve it.
But I love the last verse to end this part of the story. But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain (Sodom and Gomorrah). Genesis 19:29
Keep interceding for your relatives. This is evidence God listens.
jennifer cofer 