Sunny with a chance of fire and brimstone

In a time void of interstates, drive thru's, and rest stops, travelers often stopped to refresh themselves during the hottest part of the day at the homes of hospitable strangers. Not only was it rude to turn away guests, it was considered an honor to have them. In Genesis chapter 18 we find Abraham compelling such a band of travelers to stay for a wile and rest. These were no ordinary strangers. Two were angels of God and the third may have been the Lord himself, and they came with a message from God.

Some Good News and Some Bad News

The good news was that Sarah would soon hold the child God had promised her - according to the time of life or about 40 weeks. The bad news was that God was preparing to judge Sodom and Gomorrah and Abraham's nephew Lot was living with his wife and children in Sodom. The Lord considered Abraham His friend and said, "I know Abraham, and he tells his household what is right and they will keep God's commandments. How can I keep from him what I am about to do?"

Abraham interceded on behalf of Sodom for his nephew Lot and he persuaded God to spare the city if there were only ten righteous people in it. I am convinced God could have been talked into just accepting two or three, but Abraham stopped because he thought there would easily be ten. Lot, his wife, two unmarried daughters, and at least two married daughters and their spouses would add up to eight. If Lot had another married daughter or any grandchildren he would have had ten in his immediate family all by himself, not to mention any servants that worked for him that should be influenced by him. But the sad fact was Lot had neglected to command his family in the way of the Lord. His Godly heritage was lost to his own daughters.

Sodom really isn't that bad, is it?

Lest we think God cruel and mean to pick on a poor city just because one man failed his religious duty, we are told about the situation the two angels were put in upon visiting the city. As in the afternoon, at night it was customary to take in strangers who were traveling or visiting. People never traveled at night because of robbers and criminals that would attack. Instead they could take safety in the house of a stranger, but it seems that in Sodom the visitor could not be safe even here. When night came and the angels had no place to lodge, Lot offered his house. But they were not safe for long. Soon the men of the city young and old and from every quarter heard where they were staying and besieged Lot's house demanding he give up the visitors so they could rape and abuse them. Lot offered them his two virgin daughters (if you can imagine), but they wanted the men. Even when the angels pulled Lot back into the house and blinded the evil men outside, they only gave up because they couldn't find the door.

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