Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/146

114 if there were not so many; as the dresser of the vineyard, who consented that the barren tree should be cut down, if one year's trial more did not make it fruitful, Luke 13. 9. Or, (2.) Because God restrained his spirit from asking any further. When God has determined the ruin of a place, he forbids it to be prayed for, Jer 7. 16.—11. 14.—14. 11.

Lastly, Here is the breaking up of the conference, v. 33. 1. The Lord went his way. The visions of God must not be constant in this world, here it is by faith only that we are to set God before us. God did not go away, till Abraham had said all he had to say; for he is never weary of hearing prayer, Isa. 59. 1. 2. Abraham returned unto his place, not puffed up with the honour done him, nor by these extraordinary interviews taken off from the ordinary course of duty; he returned to his place, to observe what the event would be; and it proved that his prayer was heard, and yet Sodom not spared, because there were not ten righteous in it. We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much from God.

CHAP. XIX. The contents of this chapter we have, 2 Pet. 2. 6..8, where we find that God, turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them with an overthrow, and delivered just Lot. It is the history of Sodom's ruin, and Lot's rescue from that ruin. We read, ch. 18, of God's coming to take a view of the present state of Sodom; what its wickedness was, and what righteous persons there were in it: now here we have the result of that inquiry. I. It was found, upon trial, that Lot was very good, v. 1..3, and it did not appear that there was one more of the same character. II. It was found that the Sodomites were very wicked, and vile, v. 4..11. III. Special care was therefore taken for the securing of Lot and his family, in a place of safety, v. 12..23. IV. Mercy having rejoiced therein, justice shows itself in the ruin of Sodom, and the death of Lot's wife, v. 24..26. with a general repetition of the story, v. 27..29. V. A foul sin that Lot was guilty of, in committing incest with his two daughters, v. 30..38.

ND there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; 2. And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet; and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night. 3. And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

These angels, it is likely, were two of the three that had just before been with Abraham; the two created angels that were sent to execute God's purpose concerning Sodom. Observe here,

I. There was but one good man in Sodom, and these heavenly messengers soon found him out. Wherever we are, we should inquire out those of the place that live in the fear of God, and should choose to associate ourselves with them; Matth. 10. 11, Inquire who is worthy, and there abide. Those of the same country, when they are in a foreign country, love to be together.

II. Lot sufficiently distinguished himself from the rest of his neighbours, at this time, which plainly set a mark upon him. He that did not act like the rest, must not fare like the rest. 1. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom at even; when the rest, it is likely, were tippling and drinking, he sat alone, waiting for an opportunity to do good. 2. He was extremely respectful to men whose mien and aspect were sober and serious, though they did not come in state. He bowed himself to the ground, when he met them, as if, upon the first view, he discerned something divine in them. 3 He was hospitable, and very free and generous in his invitations and entertainments. He courted these strangers to his house, and to the best accommodations he had, and gave them all the evidences that he could of his sincerity: for, (1.) When the angels, to try whether he were hearty in the invitation, declined the acceptance of it, at first, (which is the common usage of modesty, and no reproach at all to truth and honesty,) their refusal did but make him more importunate ; for he pressed upon them greatly, v. 3. Partly, because he would by no means have them to expose themselves to the inconveniences and perils of lodging in the street of Sodom; and partly, because he was desirous of their company and converse. He had not seen two such honest faces in Sodom this great while. Note, Those that live in bad places, should know how to value the society of those that are wise and good, and earnestly desire it. (2.) When the angels accepted his invitation, he treated them nobly; he made a feast for them, and thought it well-bestowed on such guests. Note, Good people should be (with prudence) generous people.

4. But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter: 5. And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? Bring them out unto us, that we may know them. 6. And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him. 7. And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly. 8. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof. 9. And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. 10. But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. 11. And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.

Now it appeared, beyond contradiction, that the cry of Sodom was no louder than there was cause for. This night's work was enough to fill the measure. For we find here,

I. That they were all wicked, v. 4. Wickedness was grown universal, and they were unanimous in any vile design. Here were old and young, and all from every quarter, engaged in this riot; the old were not past it, and the young were soon come up to it; either they had no magistrates to keep the peace, and protect the peaceable; or their