Page images
PDF
EPUB

expressly told in the Scriptures. From the sequel of his story, however, we can have no hesitation in saying that it had been well for him, had he resolved, at this very time, to quit Sodom, even at any loss! But self-seekers often become so confused in their apprehensions of the path of duty, that they know not how to extricate themselves from the most desperate situation, even though a happy moment offers for their doing so. When the servants of God become thus entangled, God not unfrequently shows mercy towards them, by violently thrusting them out from their position; a position in which they can neither render Him service, nor find any peace for their own souls.

This the Lord actually did, in the instance of unhappy Lot; as we shall learn from a subsequent part of the narrative.

SECTION VI.

ABRAHAM'S EXALTED CHARACTER IN HIS FAMILY AND HOUSEHOLD.

And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

(Genesis xviii. 17-19.)

In order to close the account of Lot, we anticipate somewhat in the narrative of Abraham: taking up

the latter part of the xviiith and the whole of the xixth chapter of Genesis.

It was the settled purpose of the Lord to destroy the cities of the plain, whose sins were so vile and so grievous in his sight. The time of vengeance being now fully ripe, He, for wise reasons, revealed his intentions to Abraham: and in so doing He gives this holy man the highest character for domestic piety. He affords him also an opportunity of pleading for the devoted cities of the plain: yet the Lord finally takes his own course, both in the destruction of Sodom and the deliverance of Lot.

We must, however, first, advert to the noble character here given by the Lord himself to Abraham. "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment."

Here is the pattern of a pious head of a family. His influence extends to all within his range. Children as they grow up, and domestics as they are gathered around him, all feel his governing hand. The establishment of the patriarch was, from his first quitting Haran for Canaan, not inconsiderable. It went on increasing: and that to such a degree, that, (as we have just seen,) when he set forth to rescue Lot, he could muster three hundred and eighteen stout-hearted men around his standard. Probably several or most of these were, like their master, believers in the Lord: not merely conforming to the godly customs of Abraham, but worshipping Jehovah in spirit and in truth.

And whence the mighty and happy influence of this patriarch? We may attribute it to three causes, which are all mentioned in this verse.

1. First, to the Rule of conduct by which Abraham was guided. He chose "the way of the Lord," the law of "justice and judgment." In this he is an admirable pattern to us. When the Bible is acknowledged by us, as our constant rule-the rule for all in our house-then God is truly honoured: and the Lord will fulfil his promise to those heads of families who thus exalt Him, as their superior Head. "Them that honour me, I will honour."

2. Next we may ascribe Abraham's influence to the holy and consistent Example which he set. For the words, "After him," denote that he himself walked "Before" his household in those paths, in which he desired that they should follow him. Example is generally the first thing by which children and domestics learn. It fixes what we teach far more than mere precept: without it, precept has but little good effect, and often serves only to irritate.

3. A third cause of Abraham's influence was, the judicious and friendly Authority with which he governed. As a good man, a good father, and a good master, he had a special right to be obeyed: for he ruled on God's behalf. He might therefore very properly take the "command" of his household. Indeed, a pious head of a family is bound to do so. It is his duty to keep up good government. Human nature is such a corrupt thing, that children and

domestics would soon become wayward and rebellious, were not the due tone of authority maintained, keeping all in their proper place. The restraints which Abraham would have to impose, might sometimes appear irksome to those under his command. Occasionally he was himself perplexed to know how best to controul the irregularities that sprung up, under his own eye. But, no doubt, in these and all other cases, he had recourse by prayer to God, as his counsellor and counsel was given him. Thus he ruled under God, and for God. And the Lord both blessed him with his secret favour, and likewise honoured him in terms of express approbation: "I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment: that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him:"—that is, that he should become a great and mighty nation; and that all the nations of the earth should be blessed in him.

It was at this time, and under these circumstances, that the Lord revealed to Abraham his purpose of visiting the cities of the plain with utter destruction. The spirit of Abraham, when interceding on behalf of those few righteous persons whom he supposed to be in the city, is highly instructive. It will form, together with the close of Lot's history, the subject of the next section.

* G

SECTION VII.

ABRAHAM INTERCEDING FOR SODOM-LOT SAVED, AND THE CITIES OF THE PLAIN DESTROYED.

And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.

And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein ?

That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.

And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.

And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.

And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall be thirty found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.

And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak

« PreviousContinue »