Apples of Gold

When Lot left Abraham for the city life of Sodom and Gomorrah he most likely didn’t realize the depths of depravity that awaited him inside the city gates. Over time he acclimated and, although he didn’t completely indulge in their lifestyle he became inoculated to the desperation of their situation. God, however, did not overlook the choices that were being made and he prepared to send judgment. 

So the LORD told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.” Genesis 18:20

As the angels headed for the city the LORD remains with Abraham. Abraham was well aware of the condition of these cities, knowing Lot and his family resided there; faithful Abraham has the famous conversation with God, interceding for mercy if 50, no 45, I mean 30,  how about 20 and finally if 10 righteous people can be found will you spare the city? 

I wonder if Abraham was doing some math- Lot plus his wife, his two daughters and their husbands that’s six-only four other righteous people in the entire city would need to be found. That should be doable, right?

The rumors were in fact true and this place was extremely dangerous and impending judgment is decreed. Lot tries to protect the angels and maybe conceal the depths of sin engulfing the residents. The lust for sin was so overpowering in the men of the city that the angels had to blind them to keep them from pursuing their evil desires. 

There is no more need for investigation. Sodom and Gomorrah have sealed their fate. At this moment Lot perhaps was unaware just how crucial it was to have the “Friend of God”, Abraham, in his corner. The city was going down but uncle Abraham was battling for the lives of his family. 

We are about to destroy this city completely. The outcry against this place is so great it has reached the LORD, and he has sent us to destroy it. Genesis 19:13

So Lot and his family dropped everything and ran for their lives-well, not exactly:

So Lot rushed out to tell his daughters’ fiances,  “Quick, get out of the city! The LORD is about to destroy it.” But the young men thought he was only joking. At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. “Hurry,” they said to Lot. “Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!” Genesis 19:14-15

The fiances are laughing and everyone else is going to bed? The urgency of the situation leaps off the pages of my Bible, I can’t even imagine the intensity in the house that night and yet they don’t grab their coat and shoes, and maybe a flask of water and some provisions and hit the road. 

How often do we see this today in the lives of those we love who are dancing on the brink of disaster. We try to warn them. Our hearts yearn for their deliverance. In moments of clarity they even realize the desperation of their current conundrum; and yet rather than accepting the extended hand, they yawn and stretch and lay down for a nap. 

Surely a good night’s sleep and a renewed plea from the angels would get Lot and his family moving.

When Lot still hesitated, 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. Genesis 19:16

Hesitancy to evacuate impending destruction is hard to understand. How many lives have been lost when people think the weatherman is joking or exaggerating the strength of an approaching storm and choose to shelter in place, ignoring the evacuation order? Perhaps they have evacuated before, even several times, only to watch the storm turn or dissipate and they figure the danger isn’t pressing this time either.

Something seems to tether our loved ones to their situation. They know better; but when the moment of truth comes they hesitate to step away. 

The angels literally dragged Lot’s family from the city. It reads as if the fire was right at their heels. 

Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon. Then the LORD rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 19:23-24

I don’t know when your morning starts but the sun wasn’t even up when the reluctant refugees headed for safety! They got out just in time.

And meanwhile on the other side of the plain:

Abraham got up early that morning and hurried out to the place where he had stood in the LORD’s presence. He looked out across the plain toward Sodom and Gomorrah and watched as the columns of smoke rose from the cities like smoke from a furnace. Genesis 19:27-28

Watching, waiting and likely praying, Abraham had done what he could and as he surveyed the carnage you have to wonder what he was thinking. Was he disappointed that he hadn’t tried for 5? Did he know his family was safe? Well most of them anyway.

Sometimes we don’t know their status, and yet we must continue to pray for our loved ones who are hesitating in the valley of destruction. Abraham’s cries were not in vain and neither are ours. 

But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain. Genesis 19:29

We can learn a lot from Lot! Don’t give up! Don’t stop crying out for those who are hesitating. Last minute rescue is still rescue. Perhaps the next sunrise will bring with it deliverance for your loved one and an answer to many long and painful prayers.

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23