in the gates of Sodom (Mercy) - Genesis 19: 1-10

And Lot Sat in the gate of Sodom

In the gates
In the gate of Sodom did Lot wait. Here at the outskirts of town, at the fringe of society he sat, until he saw, afar off the angels coming. I have to admit that when I read chapter 18, I wanted to believe that Lot was not as good as I had hoped. But as I read these first ten verses, I saw his story a bit differently. Lot reverenced deity. His actions prove it.

He sat at the gates of Sodom. Why is this important? Consider that he was not in the midst of Sodom. He was not outside of Sodom either, but at least he was not so caught up in the sin of the city that it consumed him. He did not join in the revelry of Sodom but rather sat apart from it.

We know from his reaction to the angels wanting to stay the night "in the streets" that he is very much aware of the wantonness of Sodom. Did he sit there for reprieve? Did he sit there for regret? Was in in prayer? Was he expecting the angels?

If you are caught within the gates of Sodom what would you do? If you were to see, while you sat within the gates of Sodom the servants of God approach, how would you react? This is not an easy question to answer. There are many addictions within the world that take our attention and leave us spellbound. The addiction of electronics, nicotine, gambling, alcohol, are but a few that many simply cannot walk away from.

What is Sodom really?


My point is that Sodom is much more than a place; it is the representation of any sin of addiction that will not allow us to rise up to greet the servants of the Lord. Sodom is the point of no return, where our sin has taken over our will and desire to act in goodness.

Not only did Lot rise up to meet them, but recognizing their holiness he "bowed himself with his face toward the ground." How do we recognize holiness? Do we seek it out so that when it comes to us we know its goodness.

 If Lot lived within the confines of Sodom, how did he know holiness? He had a love for Abraham and all that Abraham represented. He had experience with holiness when he lived with Abraham. He was the one righteous man (plus his family)  for whom Abraham solicited the saving of the city. Why Lot did not teach it to his family or get them out to a place where it could be taught? I do not know, but addictions are subtle serpents that coil themselves around you until you loose the ability to act for yourself.

Two Angels (three actually)

The mission of angels 


I found it interesting to think that Lot must have known the intent of the angels. They had come to receive witness against Sodom. The Lord must abide by the laws of justice and justice demands witness and evidence. The angels had a mission to teach and seek out the morality of the people. Knowing how depraved the people had become, I believe Lot sought to protect the Lord's servants from the pervasive evil. And in protecting them, he is able to protect himself (and hopefully his family) from destruction. At least he is able to buy some needed time.

If you have identified the Sodom that keeps you bound and keeps you apart from the holiness of God's servants what can you do to protect yourself? Lot realized that although he was confined within the gates of Sodom, he did know enough to protect God's servants. He did know enough to prepare a feast and serve them unleavened bread. But it was no easy task.

Why did he have to "press upon them  greatly" for them to "turn(ed) in unto him?" Why did they want to first "abide in the street all night?" Had they been given instruction? Were they there to obtain witness, to teach, or to shake off the dust of the evil city? Was God's justice and judgment at work? Did they seek to be in the street that they might exercise mercy?  to find but ten righteous men?

Misery loves company 

And when they lay down for the night, the men of the city, whom they had been sent to balance mercy and judgement upon came from every quarter of the city to "know"(TG euphemism for sexual) these men of God. So morally depraved and miserable were these men of Sodom that they had lost all sense of respect, all sense of good judgment, all sense of mercy for Lot's guests or any man.

And here is the issue. Abraham had gained an audience with the Lord to discuss mercy. He had asked the Lord will you also "destroy the righteous with the wicked?" (18:23) and the Lord had tutored him on justice and judgment. And Abraham learned about mercy.

Mercy is for those who have still the ability to act for themselves and choose for themselves goodness. Mercy comes to those who bestow mercy. These men of Sodom had not a sense of mercy nor justice. So depraved were they that they sought to bring only misery that they themselves knew.

Mercy 


Mercy directed the path of the angels that came to walk the streets of Sodom. They were looking for a few righteous men so that the city may be saved. Mercy directed Lot's actions as he protected the servants of the Lord. Mercy directed Lot's actions once again as he leaves the protection of his own home to plead with the wicked to save these men of God and to save his own daughters (see JST).
He seeks mercy from those who not the meaning of the word.

It's ironic because he starts his interaction with the angels to seek mercy for the city, (he wants to buy more time), and he ends up begging for mercy for his own life. It is the mercy of the angels as they pull him back in that saves him.

Mercy came to Lot and his family. It was extended and accepted. It came in the form of a "hold upon his hand," while he "lingered."  Mercy, in order to be understood must be accepted. Like a gift it must be opened and understood. Lot understood that he himself was lacking, but he repented, bowed himself before the angels, and finally allowed them to escort him through his grief away, through the gates where he had first bowed himself - away from the evil that had gated him in.

"to do justice and judgment"- Genesis 18:17-33

Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do? 

Why would the Lord God ask such a question? As I read through this chapter I believe I felt that this one verse became the most significant verse of the entire chapter. 


Consider that when Abraham pitched his tent he built an alter to the Lord. When Lot  pitched his tent, its toward Sodom. Lot was not Abraham's equal. 


God knew this. But Abraham loved Lot. He had traveled with Lot from Chaldea, through Egypt, and finally to the land where, rather than quarrel they separated themselves from one another.  Abraham had sacrificed both for and with Lot. He had risked his life to return Lot from a life of slavery. (Gen 13) Was it hard for him to consider the Lord's "justice and judgement?" (vs 19) In my mind when he asks the Lord, "Wilt thou also destroy the righteous and the wicked," he is asking what the Lord will do with Lot and his family. 


As I read this chapter I did not consider that before the negotiation began, God knew how it would end. But when you think about it, as a God of mercy and love, God knew how he would answer Abraham. So for me, it is more about Abraham's tutelage in justice, judgment and mercy than it is about the destruction of Sodom. 


Consider these points as you read: 

• Abraham's covenant was sure: He had just been promised that Isaac would be born to Sarah. vs 16  
• God trusted Abraham:  the Lord acknowledges this in vs 19
• Devotion verses justice: Abraham was perplexed for his love and devotion to Lot. He knew that Lot and his family resided in Sodom. He did not want them to perish. And mostly he did not want to believe they were to be counted among the evil of Sodom. 
• Justice verses Mercy: The Lord had a responsibility to justice and mercy because "the cry was great and their sin very grievous." 
• Protection: The Lord is trying not only to give lesson to Abraham but to also protect Abraham from destruction. Evil that is not controlled will eventually destroy its host. Verse 18 and 19. Seeing that Abraham will surely become a great nation. AND THAT ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH WILL BE BLESSED BY HIM. The evil that lurked in Sodom threatened the blessings that Lord had for Abraham's family. 

Consider how the lesson evolved: 

1. God considers weather to tell Abraham about Sodom. v 17
2. God weighs the perspective of his choice. Who exactly will be affected by Abraham's lesson on justice and judgment. v 18.
3. God considers what he knows Abraham understands: v 18 
4. God considers how he himself is constrained in bringing to Abraham what he is promised vs. 18   "that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."  Genesis 18:19
5. God considers that he must weigh out the cry of Sodom against what is actually happening. He says he must go down and see for himself and "he will know." In other words their actions will speak for themselves. 
1. If the commission of sin is great. And the omission of doing the right thing is great. What is it to both commit grievous sin and to omit righteous action from your life? 
6. The prophets depart and Abraham stands beside the Lord. God grants Abraham audience. 
7. The Lord does not speak. He allows Abraham to learn on his own ground. 
8. Abraham questions "wilt thou destroy the righteous with the wicked?" 
1. This would have been a good time for the Lord to describe what he defines as righteousness, but he does not speak.
2.  He allows Abraham to bargain for the lives of the righteous thus gaining a deep understanding of the Lord's mercy and love. v 23.
9. God teaches Abraham a valuable lesson on mercy. When Abraham asks if the Lord would save Sodom if he could find 50 righteous the Lord says Yeah.. I will and so on until Sodom is saved for the righteousness of ten. In this process God is teaching Abraham how to ask for mercy. Mercy is granted. If it had not been asked for .... would God have granted it? 
1. The key is that God allowed Abraham to act in a merciful way by asking. 
2. In asking for the lives of the righteous, Abraham learns to judge those who show their love for God by their actions.
10. God teaches us how to ascertain the correct justice for righteousness. Can you put a number on righteousness? What is the worth of one soul? Abraham asked for the lives of ten, but only 4 were found? And these four did not obey willingly, they had to be lead from Sodom by the hands of the angels. Once away Lot's wife turns back and his daughters bring the immorality of Sodom with them and cause Lot to unknowingly commit incest. Was Lot the only righteous man? 
11. God teaches Abraham about righteous judgment. Is it based on familial association? Is it based on obedience? Is it based on which way we pitch our tent? So great was the sin of Sodom that it threatened the hope of a righteousness nation (Abraham's). 

Love the Sinner. Condemn the sin. 

Sin has the capacity to destroy hope. When sin overtakes the balance of our life we are no longer able to obey the Lord's commandments. In order to be rescued we must be led by the hands of angels from evils influence. Think of a bad habit. One that has hold of you and you cannot let it go. You must let go and take the hand of the Lord as He leads you to higher ground. 

One more point. In discussing this with my husband, he found it interesting that Abraham chose to start high and go low. In most negotiations or bargaining you start low and go high. Think of buying a car or a house. Would the story have played out differently if Abraham had asked God, If we can find but one person will you still destroy Sodom? 

The answer is that in teaching Abraham about mercy he also emphasizes the Lord's love for each one of us. If the Lord will save 50, he will save 1. Mercy knows no number but 1. You cannot bargain for the worth of soul as you do for merchandise and as children of God we are not merchandise.

God's love is for all of us. God's mercy comes to us as we bestow and pray for mercy for those we love. Those that are entrapped in the walls of sin. Those that need help in walking to higher ground.
God's love knows no boundary. But justice does. When our sin becomes so powerful that it deafens our ears and numbs our ability to act for ourselves then we have lost God's ability to save us. He will not save us at the risk of overtaking our agency to act for ourselves.

Return... the time of life Gen 18:14

Is anything too hard for the Lord?

This is a simply question asked by the Lord to Abraham. If he were to ask it of you what would you say?
The Lord answers his own question in Luke 1:37 . " For with God nothing shall be impossible."

I have lived long enough now to see the Lord's miracles in my life. I have seen prayers answered. I have felt the whisper of the Spirit's breath upon my ear. I have known things about my own life, my children's lives that only a mother with an ear upon the winds of heaven could hear. And then there have been times when I have not heard. Times when I have not understood and I have known what it feels like to be lost. I prefer to have the Lord and his miracles. With the Lord I am never alone and time has not place. The Lord is the ruler of all time. This I know to be true.

My most precious memories have come when I have held to the Lord's promise, "for with God nothing shall be impossible." As I considered Sara and her situation I marveled at not only what the Lord did for Sara and Abraham but the lesson he wishes to teach each of us.

In Sunday School a week past, we studied in 2 Nephi 32. We talked about how the Lord will do nothing except he will reveal it through his prophets. We talked about what the prophets purpose is: to testify of Jesus Christ and his divine mission in life. Why? Why testify about Christ? Why worry. If he is to come, won't he come? Jesus Christ is the reason for the joy of all of our life. The prophets soul purpose is help us remember his divine mission.

Why testify? Because as humans we tend to forget. Didn't the Israelites forget about baptism and God have to remind them through the covenant of circumcision? Didn't they forget again while wondering in the wilderness? Don't we easily forget? As I listened this week to a favorite hymn I was reminded of how easily we forget. "Take my heart Lord, take and seal it, seal it for the courts above." I don't want to forget, but I do. Was Sara prone to forget the Lord?

Sara was not going to forget this lesson of faith. She was near ninety years of age, well past her child bearing years and possibly had thought that her blessings promised to her were misconstrued, misinterpreted or not meant for this life time. Her season had come and gone and "It ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women." (v.11) She was "Old and stricken in age," and said herself, "I am waxed old." (v. 13) 


So when the Lord's three servants appear at the door of Abraham's tents what was their concern for her? Let's look at verse 10 and then 14. They like all prophets had a mission. They were to return her " time of life." 

10. And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and low they wife Sarah shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him. 
14. Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

When I understood these verses my life changed. I knew that God was the creator of all things. I knew that God was the creator of all life. And I guess I knew he had created our concept of time too, but I had not thought about it with regards to our personal lives while on this earth. Here is an example of God turning back the clock of life so that he can fulfill his promise to Abraham. He said to Abraham, "I will return unto thee according to the time of life." How could he not do this without the power to control the time that rules our lives?

Literally the sands of time had passed through the hourglass and as far as man was concerned could not be returned. But three holy men show up, three priesthood bearers called to bring the miracles of faith to fruition, and Abraham's faith is fulfilled. He had faithfully believed all that God had promised him.
Do we, like Abraham believe all that God promises? Or do we watch the hands of time tick tock against our faith?

In my own life, I too must admit I have had blessings that I believed had slipped through my hands. I too have wanted to let time be my greatest enemy against my faith. I have believed first in the hands of a clock as it ticked against my will and forgotten the hands that rule all time.

My greatest example is how as a young girl I prayed ceaselessly for my own mother to forgo her grief of a lost son and find the faith that I embraced in a living God. I married and moved away from my home to raise my children in the heartland of the Midwest. My children knew their grandmother only through summer visits. My heart broke but nothing could be done to turn back the hands of time that had taken our family away from parental roots.

So when I read these words the other morning I cried. I cried because my daughter sat before me telling me of how she had just come from lunch with her grandmother. I cried because I realized that my own prayers, not too unlike Sarah, had been answered. My children that had not know their grandmother's influence while in their young years were now able to know her wisdom, her wit and most of all her deep love for them. And now they teach her. Through the gospel that is instilled in their lives, they teach her about faith, discipline, and family. Their lives have become a living testimony for my mother to grasp hold of. She studies the gospel daily and gains strength that comes solely from faith.

I wonder if it would have been the same if we had stayed close by during their youth? I wonder like I wondered about Sara and her mothering of Isaac. Would she have had the same faith as a young mother that she did as a mature mother? Would she have entrusted Isaac to Abraham? to the Lord's purposes? Time does make a difference in our lives. Time does heal. And time, as the three prophets come to Abraham's tent proved, time can be restored.

God will return to us, according to our faith, according to the "time of life." What that time is must be a personal promise between God and each one of us.

I sat with my daughter that afternoon past and I too laughed in amazement at what my heart knew was true. All of my prayers had been answered in a most glorious way. Abraham's and Sarah's prayers were answered too. Not in the way they wanted. Not even in the time of life as man understood it, but in the Lord's way. A way that surely brought a deeper understanding of His love for us. A way that surely will catch us all by surprise and we too might catch ourselves laughing, not in a scornful way but in a quiet respectful, joyful way. I laughed quietly. Then I cried for the goodness of my God.