patriarchs and prophets-第39章
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greater sins than many others before it； but mercy； so long slighted； had at
last ceased its pleading。 The inhabitants of Sodom had passed the limits of
divine forbearance〃the hidden boundary between God's patience and His
wrath。〃 The fires of His vengeance were about to be kindled in the vale of
Siddim。
The angels revealed to Lot the object of their mission： 〃We will destroy
this place； because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the
Lord； and the Lord hath sent us to destroy
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it。〃 The strangers whom Lot had endeavored to protect； now promised to
protect him； and to save also all the members of his family who would flee
with him from the wicked city。 The mob had wearied themselves out and
departed； and Lot went out to warn his children。 He repeated the words of
the angels； 〃Up； get you out of this place； for the Lord will destroy this
city。〃 But he seemed to them as one that mocked。 They laughed at what they
called his superstitious fears。 His daughters were influenced by their
husbands。 They were well enough off where they were。 They could see no
evidence of danger。 Everything was just as it had been。 They had great
possessions； and they could not believe it possible that beautiful Sodom
would be destroyed。
Lot returned sorrowfully to his home and told the story of his failure。 Then
the angels bade him arise and take his wife and the two daughters who were
yet in his house and leave the city。 But Lot delayed。 Though daily
distressed at beholding deeds of violence； he had no true conception of the
debasing and abominable iniquity practiced in that vile city。 He did not
realize the terrible necessity for God's judgments to put a check on sin。
Some of his children clung to Sodom； and his wife refused to depart without
them。 The thought of leaving those whom he held dearest on earth seemed more
than he could bear。 It was hard to forsake his luxurious home and all the
wealth acquired by the labors of his whole life； to go forth a destitute
wanderer。 Stupefied with sorrow； he lingered； loath to depart。 But for the
angels of God； they would all have perished in the ruin of Sodom。 The
heavenly messengers took him and his wife and daughters by the hand and led
them out of the city。
Here the angels left them； and turned back to Sodom to accomplish their work
of destruction。 AnotherHe with whom Abraham had pleadeddrew near to Lot。
In all the cities of the plain； even ten righteous persons had not been
found； but in answer to the patriarch's prayer； the one man who feared God
was snatched from destruction。 The command was given with startling
vehemence： 〃Escape for thy life； look not behind thee； neither stay thou in
all the plain； escape to the mountain； lest thou be consumed。〃 Hesitancy or
delay now would be fatal。 To cast one lingering look upon the devoted city；
to tarry for one moment from regret to leave so beautiful a home； would have
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cost their life。 The storm of divine judgment was only waiting that these
poor fugitives might make their escape。
But Lot； confused and terrified； pleaded that he could not do as he was
required lest some evil should overtake him and he should die。 Living in
that wicked city； in the midst of unbelief； his faith had grown dim。 The
Prince of heaven was by his side； yet he pleaded for his own life as though
God； who had manifested such care and love for him； would not still preserve
him。 He should have trusted himself wholly to the divine Messenger； giving
his will and his life into the Lord's hands without a doubt or a question。
But like so many others； he endeavored to plan for himself： 〃Behold now；
this city is near to flee unto； and it is a little one： O； let me escape
thither； （is it not a little one？） and my soul shall live。〃 The city here
mentioned was Bela； afterward called Zoar。 It was but a few miles from
Sodom； and； like it； was corrupt and doomed to destruction。 But Lot asked
that it might be spared； urging that this was but a small request； and his
desire was granted。 The Lord assured him； 〃I have accepted thee concerning
this thing also； that I will not overthrow this city； for the which thou
hast spoken。〃 Oh； how great the mercy of God toward His erring creatures！
Again the solemn command was given to hasten； for the fiery storm would be
delayed but little longer。 But one of the fugitives ventured to cast a look
backward to the doomed city； and she became a monument of God's judgment。 If
Lot himself had manifested no hesitancy to obey the angels' warning； but had
earnestly fled toward the mountains； without one word of pleading or
remonstrance； his wife also would have made her escape。 The influence of his
example would have saved her from the sin that sealed her doom。 But his
hesitancy and delay caused her to lightly regard the divine warning。 While
her body was upon the plain； her heart clung to Sodom； and she perished with
it。 She rebelled against God because His judgments involved her possessions
and her children in the ruin。 Although so greatly favored in being called
out from the wicked city； she felt that she was severely dealt with； because
the wealth that it had taken years to accumulate must be left to
destruction。 Instead of thankfully accepting deliverance； she presumptuously
looked back to desire the life of those who had rejected the divine warning。
Her sin showed her
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to be unworthy of life； for the preservation of which she felt so little
gratitude。
We should beware of treating lightly God's gracious provisions for our
salvation。 There are Christians who say； 〃I do not care to be saved unless
my companion and children are saved with me。〃 They feel that heaven would
not be heaven to them without the presence of those who are so dear。 But
have those who cherish this feeling a right conception of their own relation
to God； in view of His great goodness and mercy toward them？ Have they
forgotten that they are bound by the strongest ties of love and honor and
loyalty to the service of their Creator and Redeemer？ The invitations of
mercy are addressed to all； and because our friends reject the Saviour's
pleading love； shall we also turn away？ The redemption of the soul is
precious。 Christ has paid an infinite price for our salvation； and no one
who appreciates the value of this great sacrifice or the worth of the soul
will despise God's offered mercy because others choose to do so。 The very
fact that others are ignoring His just claims should arouse us to greater
diligence； that we may honor God ourselves； and lead all whom we can
influence； to accept His love。
〃The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar。〃 The bright
rays of the morning seemed to speak only prosperity and peace to the cities
of the plain。 The stir of active life began in the streets； men were going
their various ways； intent on the business or the pleasures of the day。 The
sons…in law of Lot were making merry at the fears and warnings of the
weak…minded old man。 Suddenly and unexpectedly as would be a thunder peal
from an unclouded sky； the tempest broke。 The Lord rained brimstone and fire
out of heaven upon the cities and the fruitful plain； its palaces and
temples； costly dwellings； gardens and vineyards； and the gay；
pleasure…seeking throngs that only the night before had insulted the
messengers of heavenall were consumed。 The smoke of the conflagration went
up like the smoke of a great furnace。 And the fair vale of Siddim became a
desolation； a place never to be built up or inhabiteda witness to all
generations of the certainty of God's judgments upon transgression。
The flames that consumed the cities of the plain shed their warning light
down even to our time。 We are taught the fearful and solemn lesson that
while God's mercy bears long with the transgressor； there is a limit beyond
which men may not go on in
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sin。 When that limit is reached； then the offers of mercy are withdrawn； and
the ministration of judgment begins。
The Redeemer of the world declares that there are greater sins
