THE GATE OF SODOM

And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the GATE of SODOM: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground – Genesis 19:1

What a privilege! Sodom received ‘august’ angelic visitation; the kind of visitation many a city would cherish and value. It turned out however to be a reconnaissance survey preparatory to the unleashing of inevitable judgement upon Sodom.

“And there came TWO angels to Sodom at EVEN…” Each angel was to be a witness, with Lot as the third witness, that the Justice of God may be confirmed and established without dispute (Deut. 17:6). It was the evening of Sodom’s existence; the clock of judgement was ticking, yet the Sodomites were unwary. They continued wallowing in the gutters of immorality and the basest orgies of sensuality.

“…LOT SAT in the GATE of SODOM…” The Gate represents the citadel of authority, the city’s centre of control. That’s where Lot was sitting, presumably among the Elders of Sodom. The implication: Lot was no longer a stranger and pilgrim in Sodom! He had become a leader, akin to a ‘SENATOR’ in Sodom. He had become accustomed to the Gate of Sodom. That he SAT meant he was at ease in Sodom – at home in Sodom! Lot had entered into the culture of Sodom and the Spirit of Sodom had entered into him. He was no longer a novice to Sodom’s culture, fashions, ideology, language, lifestyles, and ways. Psalm 1:1 reveals that the ‘Blessed man’ does not “sit in the seat of the scornful.” Yet, Lot sat with men who scorned God and His Word.

Despite his compromise with the Sodomite society, Lot still displayed a ‘form of godliness’ – the habit of entertaining strangers, which he might have learnt from his uncle Abraham. That was perhaps part of Lot’s saving grace, along with Abraham’s intercession for him. As much as Lot tried to shut the door of his house against the invading ‘army’ of depravity, the Spirit of Sodom was already rooted within his walls (vs. 6). He had married his daughters out to infidels. No wonder, he addressed them as “brethren” and had no reservation about offering then his two virgin daughters (vs. 7-8). Would it not have been better if his married daughters had remained single and saved, than perish with their wicked husbands under the hot sulphur of Sodom?

“…And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door…” (vs. 9). As in the days of Lot, the Spirit and Gate of Sodom are pushing hard to break the doors of hearts, homes, destinies and societies; if possible, of even the very elect (Mt. 24:24). The invasion has gradually assumed a dangerous and global dimension through the legalization of iniquity. Sodom and hell have enlarged their mouths to swallow humanity into the vortex of destruction.

“And while he lingered” (vs. 16). But for the mercy of God, lingering Lot would have ended up in the belly of Sodom’s brimstone and fire! His bonding to Sodom was so strong, that Lot preferred to remain on the plain of Zoar, than escape to the mountain, and his wife took a last glance that turned her into a “pillar of salt” (vs. 26). So significantly tragic was this event, Jesus said: “Remember Lot’s wife” (Lk. 17:32).