Extreme Hospitality!?

From Genesis 19 we have a rather unusual story of hospitality.

Although he had lived in Sodom for many years, and had constantly breathed in the unbridled toxicity of sin, Lot remained a righteous man. He was attracted to righteousness and its protection. In this sense Lot was a type of remnant (of God's people) in a fallen land. There are people who, like Lot, will stop at nothing to defend the truth and righteousness - even if this should require their very lives. Thank God for such people!

Lot convinced the visitors to stay in his house with him and his family. He insisted strongly that they stay not in the open square but inside the house because he knew what sorts of neighbors he had. Lot knew that his neighbors would stop at nothing to assault any new comer in town, even if that should be God himself! He could not leave the guests outside, at least for his conscience's sake. Lot wanted to protect the town's guests. So he made them his own. Though he did not know them, though they were mere strangers, Lot felt the earnest responsibility to receive them, as 'the least of these' in whom Christ, though disguised, is present.  

Not long before bed time, the townsmen came true to their character. Lot's fears were confirmed, perhaps not surprisingly, when the townsmen demanded 'a copy' of the visitors. But Lot, being careful to protect his guests, was adamant to reject the unseemly request. Apparently, though Lot had chosen to live in a town whose morals were less than desirable, he had nevertheless not lost his righteous edge - repeatedly acting as judge to the towns people (see also 1 Corinthians 2:14-15). Refusal to allow them the deviant pleasure of assaulting recent guests was his last major act of judgment to the town. They pressed hard against the door in order to force their way into the house and sexually harrass the visiting men.

Notice how Lot offers his daughters in stead of the guests! To many people this is beyond comprehension! How dare he make such a promise?! Is Lot out of his mind? And I have a question for you too: would you offer your beautiful girl child to be harrassed by a gang of roudy and self centered men from the neighborhood? Or could it be that he is extremely hospitable to his guests - so hospitable indeed that he was willing to do the unthinkable? Let me leave this for you to answer because I see no direct response to this question in the text. But let me mention here that the biblical cultural setting was similar to many of today's African cultures. How do Africans receive guests? How do you receive your guests? 

When the angels reached out to blind the men at the door, a couple of things happened. To the men at the door, the blinding had a double effect: abating a delicate situation and punishing their sins. Beyond that, however, the angels reached out to Lot's rescue and to the rescue of his family. I am reminded of the fact that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble," (Psalm 46:1). God came to Lot's rescue because Lot chose to stand on God's side. Though outnumbered, Lot had God on his side. This should encourage us to seek righteousness, justice and the good of all. For, the eyes of the Lord range to and fro throughout the whole earth that He might show himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are loyal to him (2 Chronicles 16:9).

So, to what is the Lord calling us today? The Lord calls us to receive strangers in our midst, to receive one another in the Lord, and to keep good relationships amongst the people with whom we constantly interact. My prayer is that this word of God will be an encouragement to you and your walk with the Lord.

Robert.