Fear No Fear

(All scripture from the World English Bible, ebible.org, all rights reserved)

“They said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one fellow came in to live as a foreigner, and he appoints himself a judge. Now we will deal worse with you than with them!” They pressed hard on the man Lot, and came near to break the door. But the men reached out their hand, and brought Lot into the house to them, and shut the door.”
(Genesis 19:9-10)

The Law was not yet given. When it was given, there were Ten Commandments and other statutes that could be divided into two main categories: things that help us learn to love God and things that help us learn to love each other. We can divide up everything God ever commanded in the Law into those two things (Matthew 22:37-39; Mark 12:29-31). The Law wasn’t given yet, but God’s heart still had those principles. God is consistent and never changes (Hebrews 13:8). The people of Sodom were COMMITTED to NOT loving others. They were DETERMINED to be self-minded. They were DETERMINED to be closed off. They were CONVINCED they knew best and their way was THE way. Everything about their lives was about this, even who they worshipped. They were willing to do ANYTHING they felt like to make sure others were completely submitted to them – and if you got in the way they would do it to you to.

Lot had been accepted by the people of Sodom for whatever reason – probably having to do with his great wealth and the benefit that would be to the city OR because of his relationship with Abraham who had saved the people of the valley because of Lot (Genesis 14:13-16) – but here he crossed a line. Lot was insisting on being a good host. Of being hospitable and protecting these men who had come under his roof. He was choosing to follow the principle of loving other people the way God loves us – by providing for them, giving them rest, and protecting them from harm. Because Lot took this stance – and in spite of the fact he was willing to sacrifice his daughters on the alter of their desires – Lot was now in danger himself. They were casting Lot out and would treat him with the same anti-love that they were seeking to treat the men. Sodom was turning their back on Lot because Lot wasn’t enabling their sin (both of their heart attitude toward other people and the sexual attack they were set upon). As is often the case, when the ungodly are challenged about their ungodly behaviour, they get defensive and resort with violence. This isn’t for any other reason than they know, within themselves, that they are indeed guilty (Romans 1:28-32). It is their shame at their guilt that drives their hatred of the godly – even though it may be subconscious. They hate the Light and anyone who has anything to do with it because it exposes their shame (John 3:19-20).

Lot was found by the men sitting in the gate of the city (Genesis 19:1), the traditional place judges sat. These people NEEDED to be judged – not so that they could be killed, but so they could repent. If they had responded to Lot’s statements and let his values judge them, who knows what the result would be? Even if a few of them repented it would have made all the difference (Genesis 18:32).

Lot had tried to shelter the men because he thought they WERE men. But here, these men begin to reveal their true selves and step forward as angels – protecting Lot. They had no obligation to save Lot (there weren’t ten righteous in this town – Genesis 18:32). However, Lot had dealt with them righteously with kindness, blessing, and protection. The angels responded in kind. God is merciful and gracious and He shows that grace and mercy to those that show it themselves (Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 5:7; James 2:13).

The sage Rashi writes: ‘ויאמרו גש הלאה AND THEY SAID, STEP BACK — Get you away over there — as much as to say, Take yourself aside and keep away from us. Similarly wherever the word הלאה occurs in Scripture it has the meaning of further away. For example: (Numbers 17:2) “Scatter (הלאה) yonder”; (1 Samuel 20:22) “Behold the arrows are beyond thee (הלאה)” Thus גש הלאה signifies, withdraw yourself further away (old French Retire-toi de nous). It is an expression of contempt, signifying, “we do not take any notice of you!” Of a similar character are: (Isaiah 65:5) “Stand by thyself (אל תגש בי) come not near unto me”, and (Isaiah 49:20) גשה לי “Give place to me that I may dwell” which means “withdraw aside for my sake (לי) that I may dwell where you are now”. — They really meant to say to Lot: “You intercede for these strangers; how dare you!” In reply to what he had said to them regarding his daughters they answered: “Get out of the way” — a somewhat gentle expression — whilst with regard to his advocacy for the strangers they retorted, האחד בא לגור THIS MAN CAME TO SOJOURN — You are the only strange man amongst us, for you have come to sojourn here, וישפוט שפוט and you make yourself a Reprover of us! הדלת THE DOOR — This term דלת signifies the wooden frame-work which swings round on hinges to close and open the entrance (cf. Verse 11).’

The sage Ramban writes: ‘AND THEY PRESSED HARD (‘VAYIFTZERU’) UPON THE MAN, EVEN LOT. I have found this word vayiftzeru only in connection with words of pleading. If so, we will explain its usage here as follows: the men of Sodom begged him [Lot] exceedingly to open the door for them, and when he refused to do so, they approached in order to break it. It may be that he stood in front of the door, not letting them come near him, and they begged him to turn aside as they did not want to harm him. This is the meaning of their saying, Stand back, meaning “stand in another place.”’

The sage Malbim writes: ‘This one came as an immigrant. An immigrant is more deserving of punishment for violating local law than a native, especially in a place where immigrants are rarely accepted. And now he wants to be a judge. Lot had in fact been appointed a judge, which made his infringement even more serious.’

The sage Rav Hirsch writes: ‘V. 9. גש הלאה. “Push up closer!” (lit. approach beyond I.L.), they said to each other. עתה, now that you even defend your action, you are more punishable than they are, a greater danger to us than they are. באיש בלוט. Lot resisted them with all his manly strength. They pushed strongly against him, he opposed them like a man.’

The sage Steinsaltz writes: ‘They said: Move aside. And they said: This one came to reside, and he sits in judgment? You are not a native of the city, but merely a sojourner who came to live here temporarily. How do you presume to pass judgment on our behavior? Now we will treat you worse than them. If you insist on protecting them, we will inflict an even worse punishment on you. It can be inferred from this statement that those surrounding the house were not motivated by sexual desire, but by a wish to inflict pain and humiliation on the guests. They implored the man, Lot, and when that attempt proved unsuccessful, they approached to break the door, which had been locked from the inside. The men, the angels, who had the appearance of men, extended their hand and brought Lot to them, to the house, and closed the door. With their ability to perform miracles, the angels were able to spirit Lot into the house without letting the mob force its way inside.’