If we consider the circumstances of Lot, the advice given him was,
1. Most salutary —
[The measure of this people's iniquities was now full : and God had determined utterly to destroy them. This determi- nation had already been announced to Lot ; and he had been sent to his friends and relatives to declare it to them ; though, alas ! they had only treated his message with contempt and derision. His own mind indeed was convinced that the wrath of God would fall upon those devoted cities: but yet he was disposed to linger, and defer his flight. Whether he felt regret at leaving so many relatives behind him, or was grieved at the thought of losing all his substance, or had an idea that some time would elapse before the threatened judgments should be inflicted, he was not sufficiently earnest to escape the impend- ing danger. The angels therefore took him and his wife and daughters by the hand, and led them forth without the city ; and gave them the counsel which is contained in the text.
The time for executing vengeance was just at hand — There was no safety but in flight ; nor any refuge but that which God had appointed — A little longer delay would prove fatal to them all — Though they were out of Sodom, they were at a con- siderable distance from the mountain — To reach it, required their utmost exertions : it became them therefore to strain every nerve in order to secure the proffered mercy —
To promote this was the direct tendency of the advice : so suited was it to their condition, and so conducive to their welfare.]
2. Most benevolent —
[It is obvious that the extreme earnestness expressed by the angels, together with the whole tenour of their advice, was exceedingly alarming. It was calculated to inspire Lot him- self with terror, and to extinguish in the weaker females all the powers of reason and reflection. But shall we therefore say that these divine Monitors were impertinently officious, or needlessly severe ? Suppose that, having received a commission to warn Lot, they had yielded to a mistaken tenderness, and forborne to alarm his fears : suppose they had gently admo- nished him of his danger, and suggested the expediency of pro- viding against it : suppose that, when they saw him fingering, and knew that one hour's delay would involve him and his family in the common ruin, they had contented themselves with hinting in a distant manner that more expedition would be desirable : would such conduct have become them? Would they have acted the part of friends? Yea, would they not have been awfully responsible to God for their unfaithfulness, and