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.”
Genesis 19:17
“Escape for Your Life”. This is a sobering admonition that needs thoughtful consideration. It is a warning to a man living in the midst of corruption and sin. His name is Lot. But this warning is not only to Lot. It is a warning to every single human being to ‘Escape for Their Life’. The urgency behind this warning stems from (a) the presence of Sin, (b) the impending Judgment of God and (c) the provision of a Way of Escape.
Abram and Lot in Canaan
The Book of Genesis narrates the story of Abram and Lot, his nephew. Abram adopted Lot after both their fathers died (Genesis 11:27– 12:1-4). As both men prospered in Canaan, their substantial possessions became too burdensome for the land to sustain them (Genesis 13:2-7).
Abram took the initiative to address the situation, recognising the need for a resolution. A consensus was reached, and Lot was given the first right to choose a new land for himself. Scripture reveals that Lot, driven by his desires, selected the most favourable and fertile land, abundant with lush vegetation, for his livestock. This decision offers us insight into Lot’s mindset and priorities (Genesis 13:8-13).
“Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.”
Genesis 13:11b-13
Sodom and Gomorrah: The Land Of Sin.
The saying is true that all that glitters is not gold. Lot saw the good vegetation and made a choice. But his choice was horrendous. This choice plunged him into the grips of sin. This points to how vital our choices in life are. We must weigh our every decision by the word of God and its warnings. A bad decision can land us in trouble and into sin. In every decision, we may pause to ask, “Will this be pleasing to God?”; “Will this lead me into sin?” Lot’s choice of a good land landed him into a land of sin: and Gomorrah:
“Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the Lord.”
Genesis 13:13
Sodom and Gomorrah, notorious for their great sin, prompted a divine examination due to the severity of their depravity (Genesis 18:20-21). It is important to note that this examination uses anthropomorphic language, attributing human characteristics to God rather than implying that God needs to examine something to know it.
The text emphasises the righteousness of God, highlighting His role as a just and true judge. In human courts, a judge carefully evaluates a case, attentively listening to both sides before judgment. Similarly, the language used to describe God reflects this principle. God does not make erroneous judgments; He is a just and fair God. His decisions are not capricious or arbitrary; they are grounded in justice.
“Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”
Genesis 18:25
The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, evident in the narrative, is homosexuality. A heavenly detachment of two angels was sent to investigate, and Lot welcomed them into his home. However, news of their arrival quickly spread, and the city inhabitants demanded their surrender for sexual purposes (Genesis 19:1, 5). The phrase “know them” is a recurring biblical euphemism in the Old Testament for sexual relationships, as seen in other instances such as Genesis 4:1 and 17.
Lot’s desperate response is critical to understanding the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, the sin of homosexuality, “men committing shameless acts with men.”
“Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.”
Genesis 19:6-8
Lot, in a distressing situation, offered his daughters to the men in exchange for his visitors, revealing the sexual nature of their request. It is perplexing why Lot would make such an offer, as it is equally wicked as the men’s request. This highlights the pervasive wickedness in the land of Sodom, affecting even those like Lot who may appear good. The narrative makes it clear that it wasn’t just a few men but the entire city, both young and old, who approached Lot’s house, depicting the extent of their perversion and widespread homosexuality.
Now before you and I get fixated on homosexuality, and make this all about homosexuality, let’s be mindful that homosexuality is not the only sin in the world. The Bible condemns all forms of sin, and we must acknowledge and repent of our own sins. Many people equally have pride in their sins. Many of us explain our sins away, especially character flaws, by saying, “This is how I am.” If you hear someone with anger or temper problems justifying themselves by saying this is how I am, that right there is a man with pride in his heart. If you hear a man with a mean and uncharitable character excuse themselves, that is how I am; count that as pride.
As Christians, it’s essential to avoid mean and uncharitable criticism, as that, too, stems from pride. It’s worth noting that the Bible addresses various sins, not just homosexuality (See Galatians 5:19-21). It is crucial to be clear and direct about the need to warn those living homosexual lifestyles, as stated in 1 Corinthians 6:18, that the sexually immoral person sins against their own body.
This passage teaches us something interesting about Sinnersgenerally. Sinners get angry when confronted with their sins. Rather than repenting, sinners see those who call them out as unloving and judgemental. And that’s what is going on in this narrative. They told Lot off,
“But they said, “Stand back!” And they said, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down.”
Genesis 19:9
Is that a familiar language? “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge” All they are saying is that Lot is being judgemental. This is the constant language of sinners. “You are being judgemental”; “You are judging us”; “No one is perfect.”Also, notice they have now become violent towards Lot for calling them out: “Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Calling out sin is not being judgemental. Rather, calling out sin is loving. It’s rather unloving not to warn people of sin because sin attracts God’s judgement. As a Just God, he punishes sin. Sin will not be spared or swept under the rug. A just God will act rightly, and every sin will be dealt with.
The Judgement of God.
Like Sodom and Gomorrah, a picture of future judgement, the human race is in danger. There is a looming disaster coming. The wrath of God will rain down upon all unrighteousness. That is to say; God will punish all sins.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”
Romans 1:18
A Day of Judgement is coming. The sins of humanity will reach their tipping, and God’s judgement will descend. Throughout Scripture, we see God punishing sin. Before we get to Genesis 19, we already see God judging sin. In Genesis 3, the death penalty was pronounced, resulting in Adam and Eve’s expulsion from Eden. The generation of Noah received a judgment by flood in Chapters 6-8. So, by Genesis 19, we have a clear understanding of God’s dealings with sin. Sin will not be glossed over. Lot is instructed to,
“Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.”
Genesis 19:15
Therefore, ‘Escape for Your Life’ before you are caught in the punishment of God. The angels warned Lot to escape from this punishment, the wrath of God, and judgement. Therefore, ‘Escape for Your Life’ is to Escape from the sin of this world and its consequence. To ‘Escape for Your Life’ is to put your faith in Jesus Christ and repent from your sin.
Sadly, sinners never heed the call of God to repent. Instead, sinners mock the warnings of God. The angels asked Lot to escape with any relatives he had. He told his sons-in-law-to-be, and what was their response? Verse 14 says, “But he seemed to his son-in-law to be jesting.” This is a constant response of sinners to a call to repent. The Apostle Peter provides us with a depiction of scoffers,
“…knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
2 Peter 3:3-4
A Way of Escape
Now amid the display of God’s justice, in bringing judgement upon Sodom and Gomorrah, we see God providing a way of escape by his mercies. These two –-Justice and Mercy go together. God, in his justice, also shows compassion to his people. He provides a way of escape.
Note that Lot did nothing to merit being saved by God. It is all a work of mercy. In fact, Lot was even hesitant at first to escape. Verse 16 shows that Lot was reluctant to leave Sodom. This perhaps could be that his heart and love were still in Sodom.
What are the sins that you still cling to? Now that you know the Day of Reckoning is this passage charges you to repent! This charge is for you reading this article to ‘Escape for Your Life!’The King James Version calls this ‘besetting sin’,
“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us”
Hebrews 12:1
Now, God’s patience will find a limit. If Lot were left alone, perhaps he would not have left Sodom. But for the Mercy of God, no one will be saved. It was God who sent a warning to Lot. It was God who brought Lot and his family out of Sodom, the Land of Sin. God, throughout the Scriptures and Redemptive history, has been issuing a warning and calling people to repent. Jesus’ first message was,
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel”
Mark 1:14
But sinners are unable. Like Lot, sinners linger on and will not take the warning to ‘Escape for Your Life.’ But God still displays his mercy. We are told in verse 16, “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.” This is self-explanatory! That is a display of God’s mercy in action. Lot lingered on; Lot resisted, but God’s will had the final say.
In Reformed theology, this is called Irresistible Grace.
“God’s grace is so powerful that it has the capacity to overcome our natural resistance to it.”
R.C. Sproul (1939 – 2017)
We see God’s mercy all over the narrative. Now for us believers, we see this mercy clearly displayed in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the hill we run to. He died on Calvary to save us.
“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.”
The Old Rugged Cross, by George Bennard
Jesus is our City of Refuge. Just as the angels came warning Lot to ‘Escape for His Life’ because of sin and judgement, God has provided a way of Escape in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the salvation of sinners. Jesus is God’s way of Escape from his judgement to come.
We must Escape for our lives by believing in Him and repenting from our sins. Or an eternal judgement awaits us.
