Observations Upon the Old Testament, Genesis · Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX.
Verse 1. TWo Angels] Two of the three, chap. 18. 2, 22.
in the gate] As Abraham in the tent door, ch. 18. 1. Both entertain Angels at unawares, Heb. 13. 2.
V. 2. Behold now] Now that the night is come on.
Nay] To try his affection, and haply they would have done so otherwise, to see the behaviour of the people, and their carriage, ch. 18. 21.
V. 3. They turned in] Upon his pressing of them. A sleight invitation may be seriously refused; and yet that which is pressing be accepted afterwards; so, Luke 24. 28, 29. and this without Popish equivocation, or mental reservation.
unleavened] For haste. And so unleavened is to be understood, ch. 18. 6. See, Exod. 12. 39.
V. 4. But before they lay down] Likely the rare beauty of the two men (Angels) being soon noted and spread abroad occasioned this.
all the people] So vile were they all.
V. 5. called unto Lot, Esay 3. 9. proclaim their sin, impudence.
know them] Hence that sin is called Sodomy or Sodometry, as from Simon is the name Simony, Acts 8. 18. Jude v. 7. Rom. 1. 23, to 27.
V. 7. Brethren] In nature, Act. 17. 26. Esay 58, 7 Gen. 29. 4. 1 Sam. 30. 22, 23. And in neighbourhood.
V. 8. Two daughters] Virgins; yet betrothed, v. 14. This sinful in Lot, Rom. 3. 8. Neither had he such power over his daughters, nor ought they to have yielded to him herein. Haply he might think and hope by this strange offer, to take off their mindes, qualifie their present heat by some delayes, and alter them from their whole purpose by degrees. As Reuben sought by his strange offer, Gen. 42. 37. to alter his fathers minde, and so indeed brought him at last to let Benjamin go with them, chap. 43. 9, 10.
V. 9 Stand further] Spoken in disdain, as, Esay 65. 5.
needs be a Judge] Now and heretofore, 2 Pet. 7. 8.
pressed sore] To impudence they joyne violence, as, Judg. 19. 22. 20. 5. Their other sins are mentioned elsewhere, as, Ezech. 16. 49.
V. 11. With blindnesse] Such, as they could not see the door, though likely the house, and the way to their owne houses; so dazled, such a blindnesse likely as that of those Aramites, 2 Kings 6. 18. which could see to follow the Prophet, though they could not distinctly discern who he was, nor the way they went, nor the City whereto they came, v. 20. Mar. 8. 24. Luke 24. 16.
wearied themselves] Infinite impudence in sin.
V. 14. Which married] Shortly should, being about to marry them, and already betrothed, Deut. 22. v. 23, 24. Mat. 1. 18, 20, 23, 24, 25.
V. 15. Which are here] Possibly he had other daughters which were married, and were dead, or else refused and perished with their husbands. But this not so likely.
V. 16. Laid hold] John 6. 44.
V. 17. That he said] Jehovah; most likely, by the passages in the ensuing verses. He had now left Abraham, met them, and made himself known to Lot.
Look not] Thou, or any in thy company, v. 26. Luke 17. 22. See, Luke 9. 62. Mat. 24. 16, 17, 18. Phil. 3. 13, 14.
V. 19. I cannot escape to the mountain] In so hasty a flight make so long a journey, lest ere I get thither the judgement poured out should overtake me. His infirmity of faith and fearfulnesse, out of which he left Zoar also, v. 30.
V. 22. I cannot] Mar. 6. 5. Exod. 32. 10. Deut. 9. 14. Gen. 32. 26.
Zoar] Little, before Bela, ch. 14. 2.
V. 23. The Sun was risen] Hasty flight from break of day, v. 15. to Sun-rising and speedy execution of justice.
V. 24. Then the Lord] Jehovah from Jehovah. Suites well with a plurality of persons in the unity of the Deity.
brimstone and fire] Luke 17. 28, 29, 30. Fit judgement for their stinking burning lusts, and fire unnaturally descending, to punish their unnatural lusts. And this but a forerunner of their everlasting punishment, in that lake which burneth with fire and brimstone for ever, Rev. 21. 8. Jude v 7.
V 25. Overthrew these Cities] Deut. 29. 23 Esay 13 19. Jer. 50. 40. Amos 4. 11.
V. 26. From behinde him] Either Lot going before, and she following behinde him, looked back; or Lot coming hindmost to haste them forward, she looked back, behinde and beyond him.
a pillar of salt] A statue of salt; not such salt as will melt with raine, and turne into water, but a kinde of rockie mineral salt, which will endure all weathers, and serve for a lasting monument, Numb. 18. 19 2 Chron 13. 5. This place of this Plaine is called the salt sea, ch. 14. 3. Salt to season us with better wisdome, Luke 17. 32. 9. 62.
V. 27. Stood] Ch. 18. 22.
V. 28. The smoak] Before it was as the Garden of the Lord, ch. 13. 10. but now fearfully destroyed, Psal. 107. 34.
V. 29. Remembred Abraham] Ch. 12. 1. 14. 14. 16. 18. 23, &c. yet this excludes not a regard had to the righteousnesse of Lot, 2 Pet. 2. 7, 8.
V. 30. In the mountain] Whare the Lord appointed him first, v. 17. so now he findes it had been best to have followed Gods Will at the first.
feared to dwell in Zoar, and he dwelt in a cave] Weaknesse of faith and other causes might occasion this feare.
two daughters] Maidens, v. 8.
V. 31. In the earth] She knew there were people in Zoar: and saw the judgement to be particular, not universal over the earth or Canaan: and that Abraham and his family were not far off. But she complaines, as for the present mured up in a cave, and in this solitary life, without society of any but themselves, like to be deprived of all hope of marriage; and this feare and passion blinding her, drives her to this desperate damnable course.
V. 32. Wine] Which they had brought from Zo…r, conceiving, that unlesse drunk he would never sin so foully.
perceived not] Drunkennesse drownes all understanding, sense and conscience. He did prostitute their chastity, v. 8. They overthrow his. This just, as from God, though evil in them. He righteous in Sodom, and almost Sodomitical here.
seed of our father] They seem to be greedy of having children of their own kin, and not of the faithlesse and cursed Nations. And by giving the names of Moah and Ben-ammi, v. 37, 38. even to boast of it.
V. 37. Moah] The Moabites idolaters, neighbours and enemies to the Israelites, yet Ruth a Moabitesse and our Saviour came of her.
V. 38. Ben ammi] Sonne of my people. Ammonites like the Moabites to the Israelites. Many foule faults and infirmities in Lot, and yet pardoned upon repentance, and he commended, 2 Pet. 2. 7.