Observation: Yahweh has visited Abraham and told him he is going to send these two angels to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and has promised he will spare Lot. When the angels get to Sodom, the only person to greet them at the city gate is, indeed Lot, and they are able to engage with him and eventually send him to safety.
The fact Lot is at the city gate is interesting. The city gate is where the wise elders of the city sit and meet. They may socialize, but also they address public matters, assist with decisions, and provide council. Lot is treated as a foreigner by the city leaders, even called an "alien" in verse 9, and is attacked both verbally and physically for 'judging' them. He seems to be alone at the gate at this time of evening. This may mean that he is not someone who convenes with the elders and leaders during the day, and has instead come to sit here as almost a 'secondary' shift.
Lot is the anti-leader of the city. He is not included with the council of leaders who sit at the gate during the day and make decisions that have created a hate-filled, sinful, dangerous, and morally corrupt society. Instead, Lot sits alone and offers a safe, honorable, and hospitable version of the city. He is leading a movement in the city that is completely different than the city that operates during the day, run by the majority leaders. The city leaders run one society - which is followed by almost everyone - and Lot runs the other, alternative society (of which he might be the only participant).
Application: I am given hope that there is in fact an "other" society in the U.S. right now that continues to honor the Lord and have deep faith in Jesus. I have seen this emerge with the injury to a football player, seen by billions. As a young man almost died, people on TV ... actively implored the Lord for intervention, prayed out loud and publicly, and declared their faith in a healing miracle. As the healing occurred, they openly gave credit to God, broadly pronounced the power for prayer and faith, and declared proof in the existence and goodness of the Lord.
I had lost hope that such a society existed in the U.S. As our leaders sit at the gate and fight and hate and curse ... as they pronounce as normal and good that which destroys the moral fabric of mankind, and then enact policy that criminalizes righteous moral rebuttal ... I forgot that there was still an other, alternative society. And there are leaders who go to the gate in the evening and look to ensure that society is represented, even if they - we - have been kicked out of the mainstream running of the land.
Prayer: Lord, today I thank you for the men and women who have been bold enough to declare your greatness publicly, at all times in all places, but especially on U.S. television over the past week. Please protect them from the backlash I fear will come in months ahead, and continue to give them all your strength and your love. May your Church, myself included, find our place to lead this other society, the society that loves you, loves others, fosters peace, feels joy, practices hospitality, and reflects Jesus Christ to everyone around. Amen.
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