CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 19:5. That we may know them.] A well-known euphemism for a foul crime which derives its name from this infamous place. “From Leviticus 22-25 we learn that the practice of the sin here contemplated was among the principal causes why God exterminated the Canaanitish nations.” (Alford.) This sin was also the curse of heathenism, even in the best days of Rome. (Romans 1:22.)
Genesis 19:5. And they called unto Lot.] “That is, with a loud voice; demanded vociferously; which was virtually proclaiming their own shame. In allusion to the circumstance mentioned in this verse, the prophet says of Jerusalem, Isaiah 3:9: ‘They declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not.’ Compare the similar instance of enormous wickedness recorded, Judges 19:22, etc.” (Bush.)
Genesis 19:6. And Lot went out at the door.] “The original here, as in Genesis 19:11, employs two distinct words for ‘door;’ the one signifying the aperture, passage, or doorway, through which ingress and egress were made; the other denoting the ‘leaf’ of the door, hung upon hinges, by which the aperture was closed. The distinction is very accurately preserved throughout the subsequent narrative, Genesis 19:9-11.” (Bush.)
Genesis 19:9. He will needs be a judge.] Heb. He will judge to judge. “He continually acteth as judge.” “It is recorded of Lot in the N.T. that he was greatly and constantly worried and worn down by their gross outrages, and probably he had often rebuked them.” (2 Peter 2:7-8.) (Jacobus.)
Genesis 19:11. Blindness.] Onk. Fatuity of sight. “Mental blindness, in which the eye sees, but does not see the right object.” (Keil.) The original word occurs only here and in 2 Kings 16:18. “The judgment consisted not in a total privation of sight, in which case they would, of course, have desisted from their assault on Lot, and endeavoured to make their way home, but in a confused vision, such as is occasioned by vertigo of the brain, in which objects swim before the eyes, and mock every attempt to approach or seize them.” (Bush.)
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 19:4-11
THE EVE OF JUDGMENT TO SINNERS
The conduct of the men of Sodom, who were so near their doom, is an example of that kind of conduct which the wicked among mankind will still show when the last Judgment draws nigh.
I. Their wickedness is unabated. Time had brought no change for the better with this wicked people. They rather grew worse and worse, descending to the lowest depths of sin and vice. The last days of the world may be days of light and of widely diffused knowledge, yet they will not reveal an universal moral improvement amongst mankind. We are taught in Scripture to expect that these will be perilous times when lawlessness will prevail and iniquity abound. The tares will stand until the harvest shall be reaped. We may note the features of the wickedness recorded here, and they are types of the state of a large portion of human society when the end shall come.
1. It extends to all classes of the community. “The men of Sodom compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people, from every quarter.” (Genesis 19:4.) All classes and all ages were infected by the prevailing vices and sins. With the exception of righteous Lot and his family none escaped from the mire and sink of the greatest pollutions. The saddest fact of all, the “young,” too, had imbibed evil principles, and were corrupted in their ways. When the contagion of vice so fastens upon the youth of a nation the swiftest judgments may be expected.
2. It includes the most shameful sins. The men of Sodom desired Lot to give up the strangers sheltered under his roof to their vile lusts. The sin in which they had so bad an eminence derives its very name from this infamous place. They do not seek to hide their sin, but openly avow their love of deeds against the use of nature. It is sad to reflect that men in their vile passions are capable of descending below the level of the brutes. Even the refining influences of civilisation do not suffice to root out some degrading forms of vice, for this unnatural practice prevailed during the best days of Rome. The penal codes of nations still show that this shameful crime has not perished from the earth. How true the Bible is to the facts of human nature, degrading though they be!
3. It opposes the righteous to the last. Lot could not entertain these strangers without making his house a mark for the assaults of these wicked men. They scrupled not to use open violence against him. (Genesis 19:9.) There must ever be an antagonism between the spirit of the world and that which is of God, and to the end this will bear sad fruit in the persecution of the good. To the last the righteous will suffer at the hands of evil men.
II. They expose themselves to inflictions which foreshadow future judgments. These men were stricken with blindness; a blindness which not only confused the vision but also the mind with insane delusions. This was a more awful visitation than the mere deprivation of sight. Moral blindness and madness prepare the way for the extreme retribution. Sinners will be the victims of such moral infatuation till the end of time. These men, though stricken by such an awful calamity, yet desisted not in their wickedness, but “wearied themselves to find the door.” Sinners to the latest times will still engage in the insane endeavour to continue the war against Omnipotence. Moral blindness is a punishment—an act of judgment. God has determined that those who will not see shall not see. Those who refuse to believe shall, in the end, not be able to believe. (John 12:38-40.) Powers disused are taken away, as in the case of him who hid his talent in the earth. Judgment has already begun with those whose souls are seized with infatuation. When Christ comes for judgment He will find men acting as distracted persons, full of mirth and jollity, though destruction is around them and they are so close upon their doom. (Matthew 24:37-39.)
III. Their conduct often becomes a source of dangerous perplexity to the righteous. These vile sinners made a shameful demand of Lot (Genesis 19:5). He refused to yield to them, because he would not be a party to so foul a crime, and he must not betray the rights of hospitality. It was a point of honour, in Oriental countries, to defend at all costs the stranger who was received into the house. In his perplexity, Lot made a desperate suggestion (Genesis 19:8). He violated one duty to maintain another. The conflict of duties into which he was forced by this situation disturbed his moral sense. He was like a man bewildered, who is ready to receive any solution of his difficulty. The complication of events led him into temptation and a snare. The awful wickedness of the world often places godly men in circumstances of great perplexity and danger to their souls. So it will be in the end of the world. Because of abounding iniquity the love of many shall wax cold. It would seem that even the very elect shall run the risk of deception. The immense power of evil which is in the world will try the righteous to the last. The severity of the trial is admitted, and yet in the worst possible case a man’s duty is still clear. He should do the right, and put his trust in God. It is ours to obey, even in the face of most enormous difficulties, and to leave the consequences with Him. Faith shows a sure way out of the utmost perplexity.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 19:4. There are sufficient reasons to justify those terrible acts of Divine vengeance which are recorded in sacred history.
How easily sin is roused to action. The baseness of these wicked neighbours soon betrays itself!
The utter corruption of youth is the last stage in the degeneration of a people. This is the most fatal spot on the social body, showing that mortification has already set in.
The kind offices which Lot was about to perform for these strangers was not an easy exercise of godly charity, or one implying little personal risk. He made his house a mark for the assaults of those men of Belial, who could scarce endure that so godly a man should dwell among them, far less that he should reprove or restrain their sins. That fearful night tried both them and Lot. “The wicked plot against the just.” Doubtless they have an old grudge to satisfy. And now they seize the opportunity of at once indulging their passions, and wreaking their vengeance on one whose faithful testimony and consistent life they have found to be an intolerable offence and provocation.—(Candlish.)
The signal had but to be given, and the universal mass of the population were ready at once to flock together to any scene of riot and debauchery. Had they had any useful occupation to follow, were they not completely sunk in profligate idleness, they could not all have found time thus suddenly to rendezvous for deeds of iniquity. But from the peculiar emphasis of the language it would seem that there were no exceptions. Sodom was full of Sodomites. What must have been the extent of its abominations, when the aged, instead of restraining the young, were actually urging them forward in the course of iniquity by their own pernicious example!—(Bush.)
How often it has happened that houses where the voice of prayer and praise was heard have been the mark for the assaults of wicked men, while the abodes of vice and blasphemy have remained unmolested. Such is that hatred of goodness, which is found in the natural heart!
Genesis 19:5. There is a maturity of corruption in which wicked men are not ashamed to proclaim their sin.
There are sins which in a special manner sully the honour of human nature, put men beyond the pale of common regard, and tend to destroy a people from among the family of nations.
Genesis 19:6. It is a duty of religion to protect those whom Providence has thrown in our way and given into our care.
Lot shut the door behind him for the purpose of protecting his guests, We put ourselves best in the way of a favourable Providence when we use all reasonable means.
The conduct of Lot in going out and expostulating with them, was in several respects praiseworthy. His “shutting the door after him,” expressed how delicately he felt for his guests, though at present he does not appear to have considered them in any other light than strangers. It was saying in effect, “Let not their ears be offended with what passes abroad; whatever is scurrilous, obscene, or abusive, let me hear it, but not them.”—(Fuller.)
Genesis 19:7. It is the duty of good men to dissuade the wicked from sin.
When we cannot by our precept or example turn men entirely from the power of Satan unto God, we must not be indifferent to lesser reforms in their character. It is something if we are able to save them from the grossest sins; for they are then better prepared to listen to the wisdom of the just, and to learn righteousness.
A certain respectful behaviour is due even to the vilest sinners. Even in their lowest degradation we must recognise their humanity.
Lot’s gentle and respectful manner of treating this worst of mobs is worthy of notice. Though he could have entertained no respect for them on the score of character, yet he forbore the use of opprobrious terms. Recognising in them his fellow-creatures and near neighbours, he calls them brethren, if perchance by such conciliatory language he may gam their ear, and eventually dissuade them from their wicked purpose.—(Bush.)
Genesis 19:8. It is difficult to give an account of this offer consistently with any estimate of Lot as a “righteous man.” But in our estimating we must remember that the same offer was made and the thing actually done in the parallel case at Gibeah of Benjamin (Judges 19:24.) Guided by that other case, we cannot, as some have done, suppose that Lot had any end in view beyond that which the proposal declares, or that it was due to his perturbation of mind, as Augustine sugests. He seems simply to have had in view the averting of a fearful crime (enhanced in this case by its violating the sacred rights of hospitality) by the permission of another crime, the very thought of which we happily in these Christian days cannot find place for in a father’s heart.—(Alford.)
When, to turn off their attention from his guests, he proposes to bring out and surrender his daughters to their pleasure, he hints at an expedient which can by no means be justified. It is not for us to have recourse to one evil in the hope of preventing a greater; but rather to consent to no evil. His regard to the rites of hospitality was indeed commendable; but having used all proper means of preserving his guests, he ought to have left the event to God. It is possible, indeed, that owing to the excessive perturbation of his mind he was scarcely master of his words or actions, and that some excuse may be suggested for him on this score; but in all probability if he had never lived in Sodom, nor become familiarised to their profligate manners, he would not have made such a proposal. As it was, he evidently gained nothing by it but an increased measure of abuse. Persuasion has no force with men who are under the dominion of their lusts, and nothing is more common than for kind admonitions and faithful rebukes to be attributed to unmannerly and arrogant dictation. So Lot’s endeavours to restrain these desperate Sodomites from the commission of iniquity was taken in evil part; their resentment was inflamed against him; they thirsted for revenge, and not content with having the men brought out, they will go in unto them, and break the door open to effect their purpose!—(Bush.)
A polluted moral atmosphere is dangerous to the most vigorous righteous character. The whole tone of the spiritual life may become lowered, the conception of duty debased. (1 Corinthians 15:33.)
Evil examples around affect righteous souls, as it were, inductively. The bad influence is felt, and souls are injured even when they have avoided contact.
Strong faith teaches a man to do the right, even in the most perplexing situations. Results may be safely left with God, who knows how to deliver the godly in the time of temptation.
Genesis 19:9. This seems to be a menace to frighten Lot out of the way of their perverse will. It is probable, indeed, that he and his family would not have been so long safe in this wicked place had he not been the occasion of a great deliverance to the whole city when they were carried away by the four kings. The threat is followed by a taunt when the sorely vexed host hesitated to give up the strangers. He will needs be a judge. It is evident Lot had been in the habit of remonstrating with them. From threats and taunts they soon proceed to violence.—(Murphy.)
Majorities do not always determine what is right and just. Lot was one against many. The people of Sodom thought that numbers was some justification of their cause, and they derided the opinion of an individual.
The wisdom of the stranger is not to be scorned because he is such. Many nations have risen in the scale of civilisation and become great by giving heed to words of truth and righteousness which have been brought to them by strangers.
How unseasonable are the reproaches of the wicked! Ten such strangers would have saved Sodom!
Genesis 19:10. God’s people are safe when angels stand sentries at their doors. Moses again calls the heavenly messengers by a name indicative, not of what they were, but of what they seemed; for, although they now began to put forth a superhuman power, they had not yet revealed themselves as ministers sent from heaven. The incident here related of them teaches us that though God, in His deep wisdom, often sees fit to defer, till His people are brought into the most trying straits, the aid which He purposes to afford, yet He will not fail them in the last extremity. Lot was made to feel his extremity before the needed succour was vouchsafed him; but as he had kindly and generously opened his doors for the reception of God’s messengers; as he had recognised a special providence in their being sent within the sphere of his hospitality; and as he had exposed himself to great perils in their defence, the Most High would not leave him without a witness of His guardian care. By this seasonable interference He reminds us how calmly we may resign ourselves to the custody of an ever-watchful Providence while engaged in the way of duty, and how intrepidly we may face dangers and enemies while following that “which right is.”—(Bush.)
Lot is saved by those for whose protection he had ventured all. Thus, often before we look for it, loving deeds bring their own reward.
The righteous discover the hand of God in their deliverance.
Genesis 19:11. Blindness.
1. Physical. They lost the power of distinct vision.
2. Mental. They were the subjects of illusions. The imagination was diseased, so that they were deceived by false appearances. They acted as distracted persons.
3. Moral. They madly persisted in their design, though an act of Providence had rendered it impossible of accomplishment.
Moral infatuation usually precedes God’s great judgments upon men and nations.
The Scriptural signs that the judgment is near are:—
1. That God abandons men or communities to out-breaking and presumptuous sins.
2. That warnings and chastisements fail to produce their effect, and especially when the person grows harder under them.
3. That God removes the good from any community—so, before the Flood, so before the destruction of Jerusalem.
4. The deep, undisturbed security of those over whom it is suspended.—(Gosman.)
Many a one is hardened by the good word of God, and, instead of receiving the counsel, rages at the messenger: when men are grown to that pass, that they are no whit better by afflictions, and worse with admonitions, God finds it time to strike. Now, Lot’s guests begin to show themselves angels, and first delivered Lot in Sodom, then from Sodom; first strike them with blindness whom they will after consume with fire. How little did the Sodomites think that vengeance was so near them! While they were groping in the streets, and cursing those whom they could not find, Lot with the angels is in secure light, and sees them miserable, and foresees them burning. It is the use of God to blind and besot those whom He means to destroy.—(Bishop Hall.)
Blindness, both of body and mind, saith Aben Ezra, such as tormented their eyes, as if they had been pricked with thorns, as the Hebrew word signifies. And yet they continue groping for the door, as if they were ambitious of destruction, which now was next door by. Deus quem destruit dementat. So Pharaoh, when under that palpable three days’ darkness, rageth against God, and threateneth Moses with death. Though doomsday should be to-morrow next, wicked men must and will serve their lusts. Vale lumen amicum! said Theotimus in St. Ambrose, who chose rather to lose his sight than his sin.—(Trapp.)
God sends judicial blindness upon wicked men, and thus their purposes are frustrated. They weary themselves in a vain effort.
The persecuted for righteousness’ sake have the angels on their side, and no weapon that is formed against them can prosper.