Daily Devotions
Genesis
"The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good." Palm 53:1
Text: Genesis 19:1-38
LOT’S PLEA
Lot’s sojourn away in Sodom had subtly but definitely changed him, and not necessarily for the better. He was reluctant to flee into the mountains. What would a man who loved the plains do in the mountains? Lot had been like his uncle Abraham. He owned large flocks and herds. He showed great reluctance to the suggestion of the angels to flee into the mountains.
“Then Lot said to them, ‘Please, no, my lords!
Indeed now, your servant has found favour in your sight,
and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me
by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains,
lest some evil overtake me and I die. See now, this city
is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me
escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live…
…The name of the city was Zoar”GENESIS 19:18-20, 22b
1. Pleading the favour and mercy of the Lord
Lot pleaded with the angel not to force him to go to the mountains. Did he have a valid fear of losing his life to unforeseen circumstances? Was it his phobia acting up, or was it because he just hated the thought of being far from Sodom, his adopted hometown.
2. The little city of Zoar
Zoar was indeed an insignificant city. Why would Lot choose to stay there? Lot had shown a propensity to take an easier or more convenient way in the past. Likely, his old ways once again exerted its influence over him. He begged for special favour to stay not too far away from Sodom and Gomorrah.
A FURTHER EXTENSION OF MERCY
The angel of the Lord swiftly answered Lot and extended favour and mercy to him. However, the plan to destroy Sodom remained intact!
“And he said to him, ‘See, I have favoured you
concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city
for which you have spoken. Hurry, escape there. For I cannot
do anything until you arrive there.”GENESIS 19:21-22a
1. The overthrow of the city of Sodom was confirmed.
2. The mercy of the Lord was further extended.
How graciously the requests of Lot were entertained. Destruction would be upheld until Lot and his family fled to complete safety.