Who Knocked on Lot's Door?
Scripture Reading — Genesis 19:1-11
“No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing.”
Genesis 19:7
Lot brought the heavenly visitors into his house, offering them a place to wash and spend the night. But the neighborhood, old and young, wanted to satisfy their lusts with Lot’s visitors. When Lot objected, they threatened him as well.
Lot wasn’t a bad man, just foolish; he had chosen to raise his family in the culture of this sinful city. Though he was a shining example of hospitality, he was ready to sacrifice his daughters to the crowd to defend his guests. Thus the corruption and injustice of Sodom crouched at his door (see Genesis 4:7). And God determined to destroy it (Genesis 18:20-21).
Lot was wrong to think he could build a lasting, safe home among the wicked. He discovered too late that he could not withstand the perversion and abuse that lurked at his door. Heaven saved him from Sodom, but not from drunkenly submitting to grave sin with his Sodom-raised daughters later (Genesis 19:30-38).
Lot lived in a city destined for destruction; Abraham waited for the city with foundations built by God (Hebrews 11:10). Like Abraham, we still await the coming of the heavenly city, the new Jerusalem. Let us wait wisely, because Satan moves about the earth knocking at the door of our hearts. He wants to enter and defile our souls. Watch and be alert.
O Lord in heaven, save us from the ancient defiler of our souls. Let us be hospitable to all the needy, but let us be strong to close the door to all that corrupts. Amen.
About the author — Arie C. Leder
Dr. Arie C. Leder is the Martin J. Wyngaarden Senior Professor of Old Testament Studies at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He previously served as pastor at Ebenezer Christian Reformed Church, Trenton, Ontario, and with Christian Reformed World Missions in Latin America. He teaches courses on the Pentateuch and on historical books of the Old Testament.
Start your day with quick daily devotions.
See God's love, power, presence, and purpose in your life every day!