Hast Thou Here Any Besides?
Today’s Verse:
And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: ~Genesis 19:12
It is said, “Statements accuse, but questions convict.” In Genesis 19:12, we see one of these convicting questions. It was asked of a man who got his roots settled in too deep in the city in which he lived, and he now faced the prospect of losing everything, including his family. The Lord knew who his family was. However, the Lord wanted to see if Lot understood the severity of the problem.
We see the crisis.
“For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.” The Lord sent two angels to Lot to tell him that the city he lived in, Sodom, was under the judgment of God. God had had enough of the cries of wickedness coming out of that city. The deeds, imaginations, practices, and wickedness were shameful and vile. There was no alternative but to destroy it. Lot raised his family, built a social circle, and developed his fortune by living in this city and becoming indifferent to its wickedness. The clock was ticking away for the judgment of God to fall on it.
We see the commissioned.
The two men were angels sent by God. The Hebrew word for angels means messengers. They were commissioned to bring the message to Lot and to also bring him and his family out of the city. These angels picture the work of soulwinning. We are commissioned by our Lord to bring the message of the gospel to sinners and, by God’s grace, bring them out of their sin to salvation by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. God has chosen you and me to reach this world with the gospel before they face His judgment. Are you a commissioned one who is obedient and ready to go?
We see the Christian.
Lot was a believer. Peter calls him "just Lot." However, he was a righteous man who vexed his soul with the unrighteous deeds of the people of Sodom. Instead of Lot influencing the men of Sodom, they influenced him. He traded separation for success. He blended in with them instead of resisting them. As Christians, we are not to be conformed to this world, but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. How close are you to the world? Are you so much in love with the world that the love of the Father is not in you?
We see the concern.
“Hast thou here any besides?” Lot should have been moved with zealous urgency to get his family out of the path of judgment. But let’s pose the question at ourselves: “Hast thou here any besides?” Who are your family members that need to be saved? Who are your family members that could spend eternity in Hell? We must be moved with holy compassion for all sinners, but especially for our family. Lot was so slow to respond. May I encourage you to let the Lord stir your heart with concern and love for the salvation of your family and all the people within your circle of influence. Hast thou here any besides?
We see the command.
“And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.” Just as Lot was commanded to bring his family out, we are commanded to urgently compel sinners to be saved. Soulwinning is a mandate. It is an obligation. It is a command of our Lord. Ask the Lord to stir your heart, and make every effort to win your family to Christ.
Have a stirred God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Samuel 21-24