"IT IS A LITTLE ONE" -- Monday:
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is one of the great epochs of Scripture. The Prophets referred to this destruction (Isa 1:9; 3:9; 13:19; Jer 23:14; 49:18; 50:40; Lam 4:6; Ezek 16:46-56; Amos 4:11; Zech 2:9). Jesus referred to it (Matt 10:15; 11:23-24; Lk 17:39). Peter mentioned it (2 Pet 2:6). Jude referred to it as well (Jude 1:7). It is a singular event, designed to provoke sound spiritual thought, lest we become complacent in our lives.
Because of their wickedness, the Lord sent angels to destroy Sodom, Gomorrah, and the cities of the plain. Before the destruction, they visited Lot, because he was a man vexed with the evil that also vexed God. These messengers told Lot, "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" (19:13). In mercy they asked him, "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" (19:12). It appears there were very few people that close to lot. We know from Abraham's intercession for the city that there were not ten righteous people in it (Gen 18:23-32). Lot did go to his sons-in-law, exhorting them, "Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city." However, "he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting" (19:14, NASB). What a tragic assessment that was! It cost them their lives.
The next morning, "the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, ‘Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.'" For some reason, Lot hesitated, or lingered. With dispatch, the angels "took hold of his hand, his wife's hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the LORD being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city" (19:15-16, NKJV). Eager to fulfill the commission given to them by God, they urged the quartet to "escape" for their lives, not looking back or remaining in the plain, but rather to "escape to the mountains." Lot was afraid he would not have time to get to the mountains. He pled, "But I can't flee to the mountains; this disaster will overtake me, and I'll die" (19:19, NIV).
Quickly assessing the situation, Lot said, "Look, here is a town near enough to run to, and it is small. Let me flee to it--it is very small, isn't it? Then my life will be spared" (19:20, NIV). In tender mercy the angel said, "I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken" (19:21). The city was Zoar. Later, this little city would be one of the borders of the land promised to Abraham (Deut 34:3), the city of palm trees.
There are several things to be learned from this. First, that "little" town owed its existence to Lot! His presence saved them. Second, the "well watered plain" which once appealed to Lot, was no longer appealing (Gen 13:10-11). Third, Lot did not seek for a large city, or one in which an abundance could be realized. A "little one" was sufficient under these circumstances. Fourth, Lot did not choose the city because of its wealth or size, but because it was close. He felt he could get to it in time. We are told that the sun had risen to its peek when he finally arrived, indicating the trip took around six or more hours. As soon as he arrived, "the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; and he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground" (19:24-25).
There are times when large and impressive things of this world lose all their appeal. The return of our Lord will be such a time.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, help me to be more impressed with surviving the day of Your wrath than the places of this world.