HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vera. 23-25.-The rigliteousness of God revealed. The judgment of God upon Sodom and the cities of the plain. The deliverance of Lot. The reception of the two angels by Lot was a great contrast to that of ~he three by Abraham. The scene of the Divine judgment is suggestive. The plam of the Jordan was well watered, attracted Lot by its beauty and promise. Early civilisation gathered about such spots, but civilisation without religion is a blasting influence. 1:h~re are hidden fountains of judgment ready to burst forth and pour the fire of D1vme wrath upon the sinners. The man who II pitched his tent towards Sodom" became at last a townsman, 11 vexed with the filthy conversation," yet, but for Divine mercy, involved in its punishment. The whole narrative teaches important lessons, especially on the following points:- I. A TRULY RELIGIOUS LIFE is not a mere secret of the sonl, but HAS ITS APPll:0Pll:IATB PLACE AND SURROUNDINGS, II. THE HOUSEHOLD of the true believer IS A LARGE ENOUGH CIRCLE IN WHICH .TO MANIFEST SINCERITY AND FAITHFULNESS, yet must we take heed that our house is well defended against the invasions of the corrupt world, III. How GREAT A RESULT COMES OUT OFTEN FROM A SMALL BEGINNING OF ERROR I 'fhe selfishness of Lot's first choice of his residence was the seed of evil which multi- plied into all the subsequent suffering and wrong. IV. "Behold the GOODNESS and SEVERITY OF Goo "-mingled judgment and mercy, but not mingled in a confused manner, with perfect order. The man who had joined with Abraham in the covenant with Jehovah, who with all his faults wns yet •a believer, is warned, rescued by angels; able by his intercession to obtnin mercy for others. V. The DIVINE JUSTICE which is manifested on the large scale as BETWEEN THF. CHURCH AND THE WORLD is nlso revealed in the smaller sphere of HOUSEHOLDS and families. Lot's wife is an apostate, and becomes involved in the destruction of the wicked. His sons-in-law mock at the Divine warning. His daughters become the incestuous originntors of nations which afterwards greatly trouble the history of the people of God. VI. THE SAME STEADFASTNESS 01!' Goo HAS TWO SIDES OR .ASPECTS OF IT. "The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar." The same day, while the sun was serenely smiling on the city of refuge, the storm of fire and destruction from heaven was gathering over the doomed people and ready to burst upon them. 11 When God destroyed the cities of the ploin, God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow."-R.
Ver. 26.-The danger of falling back. 11 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of snlt." Every part of this narrative suggestive of lessons. Reminded how II the righteous scarcely saved," and of the danger of an amiable weakness. In Lot's sons-in-law we see how the world receives the gospel (cf. Ezek. x.x. 49; James i. 24). In his wife, one convinced, but not converted; seeking safety, but with a divided aim (James i. 8), In the angel's help, God's watchful care, even where the need is unknown. Text teaches the responsibility of those who hear the gospel. Dangers surrounding us, but a way of safety (Ps. ci. 1 ; 2 Cor. ii. 16). But not enough to be roused (Matt. x. 22; Hob. xii. 1). Many are ·awakened to flee, yet look back (Luke ix. 62). Lot's wife not deaf to tl,o call ; did pot think it fancy ; really believed; felt the danger, and fled (2 Cor Yi, 17 ; Rev. 8 '.! 260 THE BOOK OF GENESIS. [en. :ox. 20-38,
x,·111, 4). But the sun rose; tho valley beautiful; homo attractive; no signs of danger. .Jlust she leaye all; and at once? She paused, That pnuse was death. I. May be roused by ALARM OF CONSCIENCE nnd yet look hack (cf. l\Iatt. xii, 43- 45). Some, intent on the world, think not of the future, Preaching seems only a venerable form_; prayer a_ proper homage to God. But ns to anything moro, no hurry. But n time of anxiety comes, Perhaps a wave of revival or some special o?currence-illness_,.. be~eavement,. care, Eternity is brought near: false confidence d1spell_ed (Isa. xxvm. 11). Then m earnest to seek the true refuge (Heb. vi. 18). The Dible read; prayer a real pleading. But the sun 1uises. The immediate cause passes awar, Fears fade away. Then a_ looking back, . Surely some of you can remember times of earnestness. Perhaps m hours of anxious watching or in pre- parati?n for communion, ?!. God has spoken directly to the soul and' made you feel his presence (Gen. x.xvm, 16, 17). Then the blessedness of accepted salvntion was felt. The message was not a parable then. The Bible and prayer were preciou11 then. But time went on. The immediate influence gone. All as before, Old ways asserted their power; hard to give them up. In mercy the call once more. A"·ake; the storm is at hand, though thou. eeest it not, Pray that the Holy Spirit may transform thy heart. II. May be moved by EXAMPLE OF OTHERS, yet turn back. She felt her husband's earnestness, and went with him, but so far only. We know the power of example. "Then we see those we love affected, we are moved to be as they, So at the preach- ing of John the Baptist, So at times of n1issions. Have any felt this influence; heen stirred to read and pray? It is well. But has it lasted? For a real saving change there must be a personal transaction with the Lord ae a living Saviour; a laying bold of him, a real desire and effort that the will and whole nature be sub- mitted to him. III. A MIGHTIER POWER STILL l\lAY ACT UPON THE SOUL, While Lot lingered angels laid hold of hands. There are times when God pleads urgently. One refuge after another swept away. Call upon call, sign upon sign, till the will seems conquered. But all is not done (Phil. iii 13). Such pleadings neglected, cease. Observe, God led Lot out of Sodom, not to Zoar. There is work still to be done (2 Pet. i. 10), The qqestion is not as to the past, but as to the present. It will not eave a man that he was once anxious. Look not back. Look to Jesus (Heh. xii. 2). Let earnestness in every part of Christian life testify that you are not looking baek (Heh, x. 30).- M.