Thought from today’s Bible reading from Genesis 19-21.
The men who lived in Sodom were “wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord” (Genesis 13:13). So much so that the Lord determined to destroy the city. But first he sent two angels into the city to deliver the lone righteous man among them – Lot.
“Then the two men said to Lot, ‘Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, and your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place, because their outcry has become so great before the Lord that the Lord has sent us to destroy it” (Genesis 19:12-13).
Lot was now aware of the coming destruction, which gave him the chance to escape. He also had time to convince others to come with him and be saved.
“Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, and said, ‘Up, get out of this place, for the Lord will destroy the city.’ But he appeared to his sons-in-law to be jesting” (Genesis 19:14).
These men did not take the warning seriously. As a result, despite the invitation they received and the opportunity they had to be saved, they perished along with the wicked.
The destruction of Sodom serves as an example of “the punishment of eternal fire” (Jude 7). God will one day destroy the world and bring all men into judgment (2 Peter 3:10; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Like Lot, we have the opportunity to help save others. Some will not take us seriously, like his sons-in-law, but some might. All we can do is try to convince others to follow the Lord.
But while some will not take our warning seriously, let us not act in such a way that would cause even more to ignore our message. How could we do this? By acting in such a way that others do not think we are taking these warnings seriously.
Do you take God, His word, His authority, His commandments, and His future judgment seriously? Can others tell? Or do your words and deeds betray you?
Tomorrow’s reading: Genesis 22-24
[I’m using the Chronological reading plan on the Bible Gateway website if you’d like to follow along, too.]
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