Genesis 19:16
The sins of Sodom were grievous. When the angels of the Lord visited Lot, the people of the city—both young and old—gathered at Lot’s house and demanded to “know them” (Genesis 19:5). How wicked! Because of their great sin, the angels declared, “We are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against these people has become great before the LORD, and the LORD has sent us to destroy it” (Genesis 19:13).
Due to Abraham’s intervention and prayers, Lot and his family were instructed to leave the city before it was destroyed. They were warned, “Get up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or else you will be consumed in the punishment of the city” (Genesis 19:15).
But Lot lingered (Genesis 19:16).
He hesitated, and so the angels had to physically drag him outside the city. They told him to flee to the hills, saying, “Flee for your life!” (Genesis 19:17). Yet, Lot protested, “I cannot flee to the hills.”
Oh, how merciful and gracious the Lord is! He even granted that favor, allowing Lot to escape to Zoar, a nearby city. The Lord promised, “I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken” (Genesis 19:21).
As I reflect on this passage, I am reminded of the sins of mankind, the penalty we deserve for our sins, and the boundless mercies of the Lord. I see how the Lord is always in a hurry to deliver us from our troubles, even when we linger. I am reminded of His saving grace, of how we resist His gentle guidance, and of our reluctance to follow His lead. We can also see our own laziness in doing God’s work.
There is no need to elaborate further. I will leave these thoughts for you to ponder on your own.
Dear reader, are you still lingering? Time is short. Get up and run. The world, as we know it, will one day come to an end, and that day is already dawning.
Rev. Dr. James R. Ruolngul
