GENESIS 19
12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. 13 For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” 14 So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting.15 As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” 16 But he lingered. So, the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. 17 And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.” 18 And Lot said to them, “Oh, no, my lords. 19 Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die. 20 Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one? —and my life will be saved!” 21 He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. 22 Escape there quickly, for I can do nothing till you arrive there.” Therefore, the name of the city was called Zoar.
– Genesis 19:12-22
GENESIS 19 LOT ESCAPES TO ZOAR
After the Sodomites tried to seize the two guests of Lot who happened to be angelic beings, they asked Lot to save anyone he wanted to bring with him. His future sons-in-law didn’t take him seriously and Lot was stalling too, so, in God’s mercy, the angels grabbed him, his wife and daughters before the city of Sodom was going to go into ruins. They had to wait for Lot to find a place to seek refuge before they were to follow God’s order to destroy this wicked city. Zoar was a nearby city and so Lot chose to go there to seek safety. The angels ensured that the city of Zoar won’t be affected by Sodom’s destruction which was nearby.
We witness another faithful, loving character of God who seized Lot even when he was dilly-dallying to go in haste before God’s wrath was to be poured in Sodom.
REFLECTION
· Why do you think Lot was spared when he also led a compromise life?
