_A.M. 2106. B.C. 1898._ In this chapter we have the result of the inquiry concerning the state of Sodom. (1,) _ It was found upon trial that Lot was a good Man 1:1-3; but it did not appear that there were any more of the same character._ (2,) _ It was found that the Sodomites were very wicked, Ge... [ Continue Reading ]
_There came two angels_ Probably two of the three that had just before been with Abraham, the two created angels, who were now sent to execute God's purpose concerning Sodom. _Lot sat in the gate of Sodom_ Waiting for an opportunity of entertaining strangers, in which he imitated Abraham, and set an... [ Continue Reading ]
_They said, Nay, but we will abide in the street all night_ So they said, not only to give Lot an opportunity of evincing the sincerity and cordiality of his invitation, but because it was their real intention to abide in the street, where they, no doubt, would have abode, if he had not so much urge... [ Continue Reading ]
_He pressed upon them greatly_ Partly because he would by no means have them to expose themselves to the perils and insults which he was aware awaited their lodging _in the street of Sodom_, and partly because he was desirous of their converse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No description which could be given of their vile and abominable conduct, however laboured, could possibly have conveyed so striking an idea of their unparalleled wickedness, as this simple narrative of facts. Here _were old and young, all from every quarter_ Collected for practices too shameful to... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have two daughters_ This was unadvisedly and unjustifiably offered, probably through the great discomposure and perturbation which his mind was in. It is true, of two evils we must choose the less, but of two sins we must choose neither, nor ever do evil that good may come of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they smote the men with blindness_ This was designed to put an end to their attempt, and to be an earnest of their utter ruin the next day.... [ Continue Reading ]
_We will destroy this place_ The holy angels are ministers of God's wrath for the destruction of sinners, as well as of his mercy for the preservation and deliverance of his people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lot spake to his sons-in-law_, &c. It is likely these _sons-in- law_ had married other daughters of Lot, who were now dead, or who afterward perished in the destruction of the city. _Up, get you out of this place_ The manner of expression is startling. It was not a time to trifle, when the destruct... [ Continue Reading ]
_While he lingered_ He did not make so much haste as the case required, and this would have been fatal to him, if the angels had not _laid hold on his hand, and brought him forth._ Herein _the Lord was merciful to him;_ and if God had not been _merciful to us_, our lingering had been our ruin.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Look not behind thee_ He must not loiter by the way; _stay not in all the plain_ For it would all be made one dead sea; he must not take up short of the place of refuge appointed him; _escape to the mountain_ Such are the commands given to those who, through grace, are delivered out of a sinful sta... [ Continue Reading ]
_I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither_ The very presence of good men in a place helps to keep off judgments. See what care God takes for the preservation of his people!... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the Lord rained, from the Lord The Son_, who had conversed with Abraham, from _the Father_, for _the Father has committed all judgment to the Son._ He that is they Saviour will be the destroyer of those that reject the salvation.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And he overthrew those cities_, and _all the inhabitants_ of them, _the plain_, and all that _grew upon the ground_ It was an utter ruin, and irreparable; that fruitful valley remains to this day a great lake, or dead sea. Travellers say it is about thirty miles long, and ten miles broad. It has no... [ Continue Reading ]
_But his wife looked back from behind him_ Herein she disobeyed an express command. Probably she hankered after her house and goods in Sodom, and was loath to leave them. Christ intimates this to be her sin, Luke 17:31; she too much regarded her stuff. And her looking back spoke an inclination to go... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Abraham gat up early_ To see what was become of his prayers, he went to the very place where he had _stood before the Lord. And he looked toward Sodom_ Not as Lot's wife did, tacitly reflecting upon the divine severity, but humbly adoring it, and acquiescing in it. Here is God's favourable rega... [ Continue Reading ]
_He feared to dwell in Zoar_ Probably he found it as wicked as Sodom; and therefore concluded it could not long survive it; or perhaps he observed the rise and increase of those waters, which, after the conflagration, began to overflow the plain, and which, mixing with the ruins, by degrees, made th... [ Continue Reading ]
_Come, let us make our father drink wine_ Although, upon the whole, Lot was a righteous man, and possessed of many amiable qualities, yet it evidently appears that his principles also, as well as those of his daughters, had suffered some degree of contamination by the society of evil-doers, otherwis... [ Continue Reading ]