Friday, April 25, 2014

#50 Sodom Genesis 19



Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed  himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, "Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant's house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." And they said, "No, but we will spend the night in the open square." But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, "where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally." So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, and said, "Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof." And they said, "Stand back!" Then they said, "This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them." So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. But the men reached out their hands and Pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door. Genesis 19:1-11 NKJV

Lot extends a courtesy to the two angels, to stay with him and wash their feet. It was probably customary of the time, but it also says that he was insistent when they said no and offered to sleep in the square. The angels take Lot up on his offer and he makes them a feast. 

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:2 NKJV

Before the men retired to lay down for the evening, the house was surrounded by the men of the city. It is emphasized, young and old, and from all corners; the city was morally and corporately corrupt. They did not hide their intentions in any way, but demanded the men to be sent out to them, so they could know them sexually. Lot tries to protect the men, and in vs. 8 gives this as the reason they are under his roof. He has brought them there for their protection. This explains the insistence in verse 3, and gives light to Lot's knowledge of the moral condition of the city in which he lives. It is like the time before the  flood, and also gives reflection and insight to God's words in Genesis 11:6, And the Lord said, "Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they purpose to do will be withheld from them." The whole, of this city, has turned away from God, and they are tired of Lot pointing this out to them. 

Lot asked the men of the city not to do "so wickedly", which gives indication of the state of Lot's own heart. He has been compromised in his own understanding of sin, and is allowing that the rape of his daughters, would be somehow more forgivable. He is protecting the strangers, who I don't think he knows to be angels at this time, but is making a compromise that shows him to be more comfortable with some types of sin. 

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man - and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:18-32 NKJV

These things have already been judged. It is not for us to condone what God has called sin, which we do in our attempts to be politically correct. You are in no way less a sinner or nearer redemption for your lack of practice of any of the above manifestations of sin. You are a sinner, and therefore separated from God, by birth, and therefore anyone act would manifest itself part of the whole as listed above. It is a strange doctrine in much of the church today that would suggest a belief in God's word, and yet condone that which He has condemned. You may come off to the world, in a way that suggests more love because of your new christ, but you have not loved them at all. How can it be love, if it sacrifices the truth? How can it be love if it denies those things that necessitated the cross? God loves you, and so do I, I pray that our eyes will be opened and that we will want Him the way He is, and that we will find His truth the way He intended. There is no excuse for hate of persons in any of this; we are all guilty, so tell the truth in love.


0 comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.