Genesis 18
DOYLYVer. 1.— Lot sat in the gate of Sodom.] People might sit in the gate anciently for conversation and diversion, as they do now among the Arabs, in markets and fairs. Lot seems to have placed himself in the gate after this manner, for amusement and society. Harmer.
Genesis 18:2
2.— turn in, I pray you, &c.] In the Eastern countries of late some few caravansaries have been set up, but in Lot’s time there were no inns for the accommodation of strangers; so that travellers, unless invited to a private house, were forced to lie all night in the streets. It was customary therefore for those of the better sort to receive travellers, whether or not they knew them, into their houses, and entertain them with great civility. For this reason we meet, both in sacred and profane authors, with such large commendations of this act of hospitality; and particularly in the Epistle to the Hebrews, chap. xiii. 2, we have a precept to this effect, alluding to this very history: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Stackhouse.
Genesis 18:3
3.— unleavened bread.] Because it would be soonest ready.
Genesis 18:5
5.— that we may know them.] This vile sin, so hateful to God, and repugnant to human nature, continued among the Gentiles till the Apostles’ time, as may be gathered from Rom. i. 27, and 1 Cor. vi. 9. It was
Lot and his family are sent out of Sodom. Before CHRIST 1898.
Genesis 18:6
- — make cakes upon the hearth.] Rauwolf tells us in his Travels, that as he went through a country, which lies between Mesopotamia and Media, a woman presently made them cakes, about a finger thick, and of the bigness of a trencher: which she first laid upon hot stones, and turned them often; and then threw cakes and embers over them: which he says were very savory. Bp. Patrick.
Among the Bedoweens, as soon as the dough is kneaded, it is made into thin cakes, which are either immediately baked upon the coals, or else in a shallow earthen vessel like a frying-pan. Such were the “unleavened cakes,” Exod. xxix. 2, and other places of Scripture; and the “cakes which Sarah made quickly on the hearth.” Dr. Shaw.
Genesis 18:7
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And Abraham ran unto the herd.] It is no disgrace here for persons of the highest character to busy themselves in what we should reckon menial employments. The greatest prince of these countries is not ashamed to fetch a lamb from his herd, and kill it, whilst the princess is impotent till she hath prepared her fire and her kettle to dress it. The custom, that still continues, of walking other barefoot or only with sandals, requires the ancient compliment of bringing water, upon the arrival of a stranger, to wash his feet: whilst the person, who presents himself the first to do this office, and to give the welcome, is the master of the family; who always distinguishes himself by being the most officious; and who, after his entertainment is prepared, thinks it a shame to sit down with his guests, but will stand up all the time and serve them. Dr. Shaw.
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— do not so wickedly.] As to break the rights of hospitality, and violate the laws of nature. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 18:8
- — Behold now, I have two daughters &c.] If we may not do any evil, to procure a positive good, certainly much less may we do one evil, to avoid or prevent another. Lot should have resolved, rather to suffer any evil, than to do any. He should rather have adventured his own life, and their’s too, in protecting the chastity of his daughters, and the safety of his guests, than have offered the exposé of his daughters to the lusts of the Sodomites, though it were to redeem his guests from the abuse of fouler and more abominable filthiness. There is no perplexity, no necessity, no obligation, no expediency, which should either enforce or persuade us to any sin. The resolution, “Let us do evil, that good may come,” is pronounced by an Apostle to be worthy of condemnation. Bp. Sanderson.
Genesis 18:9
- — in the tent.] In her apartment: for women had their apartments by themselves. Bp. Patrick.
Genesis 18:10
- — according to the time of life;] The next or following year: according to the usual time that passes
from the conception to the timely birth of a living child. Bp. Kidder.
Genesis 18:12
- — Sarah laughed within herself.] Not as Abraham for joy, but out of incredulity: having a greater regard to the order of nature than to God’s promise. Bps. Patrick and Wilson.
Abraham heard this news from the Angel, and “laughed:” Sarah heard it, and “laughed:” they did not more agree in their desire, than differ in their sentiments: Abraham laughed for joy; Sarah, for distrust: Abraham laughed, because he believed it would be so; Sarah, because she believed it could not be so: the same act varies in the manner of doing, and the intention of the doer. Bp. Hall.
— After I am waxed old] She was now eighty-nine years old. Bp. Kidder.
Genesis 18:14
- — which married his daughters.] Or, were to marry: that is, were betrothed or espoused to his daughters. Bp. Wilson. — But he seemed as one that mocked] Lot warns his sons-in-law like a prophet, and advises them like a father; but both in vain: he seems to them as if he mocked, and they do more than seem to mock him again. “Why should to morrow differ from other days? Who ever saw it rain fire? Or whence should that brimstone come? Or if such showers must fall, how shall nothing burn but this valley?” So to carnal men preaching is foolishness, devotion idleness, the Prophets madmen, Paul a babbler: these men’s incredulity is as worthy of the fire, as the others’ uncleanness. “He that believeth not, is condemned already.” Bp. Hall.
Genesis 18:15
- — for she was afraid.] This natural fear of Sarah’s, accompanied with confusion at being discovered, betrayed her into this denial, and so caused her to add one sin to another. For this reason perhaps it is, that when the Apostle proposes Sarah as a pattern of obedience to women, he at the same time cautions them very seasonably against the fear by which she fell, “Whose daughters ye are as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement,” 1 Pet. iii. 6. Bp. Kidder.
— And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.] Sarah only laughed within herself, and is betrayed. How easily can God discover even our most secret sins! Bp. Hall.
Genesis 18:16
- — while he lingered.] It is observable that Lot, though he fully believed there should be a performance of the things which were told him, yet made not that haste to get out of the city, which the case required. How apt is the sinner to linger and to put off his repentance! How often is God forced, as it were, to arrest him by sickness or some grievous calamity, and so to drag him from perdition! And O! how merciful is the Lord to that man, whom by any means, however painful and afflicting. He bringeth forth into safety, and setteth him without the city! Let such an one hear the voice of his gracious Deliverer, saying to him in the person of Lot, “Escape for thy life; look not behind thee; neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed."—Escape, O sinner, for thine eternal life: look not behind thee on the pleasures thou hast left.
Genesis 18:18
- Seeing that Abraham &c.] Two reasons are given, why God acquaints Abraham with His intended proceedings: 1st, Because He had already revealed to him greater things, and made him most gracious promises: 2dly, Because He knew that Abraham
E 2 Abraham maketh intercession for the men of Sodom Before CHRIST 1895.
Genesis 18:19
19.—that he will command his children &c.] This was the great glory of Abraham, next to his being “the friend of God,” that he was “the father of the faithful.” And the careful education of children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” is so honourable to parents that God himself would not pass it by in Abraham without special mention of it to his everlasting commendation; “I know Abraham,” saith God, “that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord, and to do justice and judgment.” Abp. Tillotson.
Parents and masters of families, from the example of this Father of the Faithful, may learn their duty to instruct their children and servants in the way of the Lord. Bp. Kidder.
That Abraham might be furnished with a powerful argument against a wicked course of life, which he might make use of for the instruction of others, he is made acquainted with God’s intentions against Sodom: so that he could assure his posterity, that this dreadful judgment was not the effect of natural causes, but the appointment of a just and angry God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Bp. Wilson.
Genesis 18:21
- I will go down, &c.] The patience of God was very great towards Sodom and Gomorrah. For when the cry of their sins had reached heaven, and called loud
for vengeance to be poured down upon them; to express the wonderful patience of God toward such grievous sinners, though nothing is hid from His sight and knowledge, yet He is represented as coming down from heaven to earth on purpose to inquire into the truth of things, and “whether they were altogether according to the cry that was come up to Him.” Abp. Tillotson.
In this passage God speaks after the manner of men; using the language of a good judge, who never passes sentence, much less executes it, till he hath examined the cause. Bps. Kidder and Patrick.
Genesis 18:32
32.—I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.] A wonderful representation of the tender mercy of the Most High; who condescended to grant a reprieve to the whole country for the sake of a few righteous, could they have been found in it. And his mercy was still greater, even beyond Abraham’s desire; for he spared one of the five cities, for the sake of three or four persons: as we read chap. xix. 20, 21.
Abraham makes no express mention of Lot in any of the foregoing petitions: but it is plain from chap. xix. 29, that he was in his thoughts, which God knew; and he is comprehended in those words at the 23d verse of this chapter, “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” Bp. Patrick.
The conduct of Abraham on this occasion furnishes a powerful instance of the efficacy of well-directed prayer, and an encouragement to the faithful at all times to “continue instant in prayer, watching there-
Before CHRIST 1895. Lot entertaineth two angels. The wickedness of the Sodomites.
as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.