We now reach the crescendo in the story of Lot. The angels are inside his house, they’ve just finished their meal, and now a crowd of men from Sodom from every quarter and age have surrounded the house. Despite Lot’s best efforts to dissuade them, they are now ‘pressing’ upon Lot in an attempt to break into the house.
Gen 19:10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.
Previously it has been noted that one of the accusations leveled at Lot is his apparent willingness to ‘sacrifice his daughters’ virginity’ for the strangers’ safety, without putting himself on the line. Lot is being selfish, is the accusation. If we take the text at face value, indeed, if we read between the lines, the truth is quite apparent that Lot was prepared to, and did put his own life on the line as well.
It’s apparent here as we find that Lot has positioned himself in front of the door, and seemingly makes no attempt to go inside, but rather, the angels pull him inside. Who knows? This read does fit more in line, I believe, with the Bible’s description of Lot as being righteous and with the rest of his actions and status, which denote someone with courage.
Keep in mind, all that has happened over the last few verses has taken place in the matter of minutes. It hasn’t been a drawn-out affair. Now, right as things are about to get very ugly, God intervenes. Don’t forget, Lot could have given in, allowed the mob to take the angels. Oh well, what was he to do? Die trying to protect them? Yet prepared to die, Lot clearly was. Such was the man, such was his character. Oh that we could find that resolution to do good and right in the face of evil even if it costs our life.
Gen 19:11 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 that Lot is safe inside (The Lord knows how to protect the godly, 1 Peter 2:9), the angels strike the assailants with blindness – every single one of them, both small and great. It’s a poignant reminder to us, that it doesn’t matter if we are great or small, the moral law of God applies to all, there is a responsibility for all to keep it, and if we don’t, judgement will fall on all, both great and small. God is not a respecter of persons.
It’s a point of interest for me, but not an essential one, to consider what kind of blindness the people suffered. Was it a total blindness? They couldn’t see anything? Or was it similar to when the Jews tried to stone Jesus and He mysteriously ‘walks through’ them and goes His way?
I ask this for depending which one, there’s a different visualization. One is quite openly catastrophic with perhaps dozens of men now completely blind. That would have quite an effect on bystanders. The other is more subtle, it could be seen as the crowd dispersing out of weariness because for some strange reason, they can’t find the door. Incidentally, the text states that they grew weary trying to find the door. Not that they couldn’t see anything at all.
It’s a point of interest merely for consideration when we think about what’s happening when Lot is trying to get his family and friends out of the city. The former is quite damning, but in some senses, less faith. The other requires far more faith. I personally am inclined to lean towards the latter. Don’t forget that Lot is a type of the believer in the last days when Christ returns. When God’s judgements begin to fall, note that no one repents, in fact they look at it as a natural disaster. It’s the same with Moses and Pharaoh. The Egyptians take some time to acknowledge the hand of God because they too can replicate the miracles. It’s not until it’s too late, that they realize there’s something else at play.
Either way, the words of Abraham ring throughout the ages: “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” or simplified: “If they will not repent after hearing the Word of God, neither will they repent even if they see miracles.”
It’s at this point that we can assume with certainty that Lot is probably becoming aware of the heavenly identity of his visitors. If he still hasn’t clued in, they are about to tell it to him plainly.
Gen 19:12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:
It’s not mentioned in detail again, and later on it mentions Lot speaking to his son-in-laws, but no one else, however, there is the potential and likelihood that Lot has sons in Sodom as well. Take note of what the angels instruct Lot, for I believe that Lot fulfils what they tell him to the letter. He’s about to go on one last ‘preaching’ marathon in an attempt to save the people around him.
Gen 19:13 For 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 it.
In this final statement, the angels unveil the God’s plan to Lot. Sodom is about to be destroyed, and they are the means by which it is going to happen.
If Lot hasn’t realized it by now, his guests are unique. I believe in this moment is one of the great testament’s of Lot’s faith. What has he seen from the angels so far to validate their words? Depending on how you picture the blindness that they struck the assailants with, he hasn’t got much to go on as to their authenticity. He doesn’t have any time either. It’s now or never. Do you believe or not?
What is possibly the penultimate trial of Lot’s life has already begun, it’s too late for Lot to ‘get’ faith, pray for faith, or anything else. He either has faith or not. He either believes or not. The clock is ticking.
When Jesus comes back, you won’t have time to ‘find your faith’. No time to ‘buy oil’. You either have your faith already, have your oil already, or you have nothing. As we will soon see, Lot was ready to leave. For all the talk of Lot’s greed, Lot’s got his moving shoes on. When God came to visit, He found Lot, a servant who was ready and faithful.
May we be like Lot, servants who are willing and faithful to obey.
Talking Bible 
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