Genesis 19:14

Genesis 19:14 says, And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.  Lot warned his sons-in-law, but they didn't listen to him.  Lot told them that the LORD was going to destroy Sodom.  When we warn people today of God's coming judgment, though it may not be imminent, they often act as through we are crazy, but we still need to continue to warn them.  Lot told his sons-in-law that they needed to get up and get out, but we today need to tell people to get up and come to Christ.  Verse fifteen states, And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.  The next morning, the angels returned to Lot and told him to take his wife and two daughters who were with him and get out unless they wanted to be consumed with the city.  Lot may have told his sons-in-law that it was time to get up and get out, but he was still there.  When we share God's word with others, we must first make sure that we obey it ourselves.  Verse sixteen says, And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.  Lot was still not leaving, but the angels lead his wife, two daughters, and him out of the city.  We cannot afford to be like Lot, professing the need to act on God's word to others while we do not act on it ourselves.  Verse seventeen declares, And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.  Even after these four were led out of the city, there was still a step of faith required.  They were to flee and not look back.  When God leads us to salvation today, we should flee from sin and never look back.  Verse eighteen proclaims, And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:  Having been basically dragged out of Sodom and told to flee to the mountain, Lot protested.  When God calls us to do something, we should do as He says without protest.  Verse nineteen adds, Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:  Lot still was not willing to put his trust in God.  He acknowledged that God had shown him mercy by saving him, but said he was afraid some evil would overtake him on the mountain.  We should never question God's ability to keep us safe once we accept His deliverance through our faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty continues, Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.  Lot asked to be allowed to escape to a nearby small city.  We really should never attempt to bargain with God.  Lot's choice of land had caused him nothing but trouble, but he once again wanted to choose.  We cannot allow our own choices to keep us from following God's will for us.  Verse twenty-one says, And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.  Lot was allowed to go to the city and was promised that it would not be destroyed, which was never God's intention to begin with.  Verse twenty-two states, Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.  Lot was told to hurry to the city so that God could carry out His plan.  This does not mean that Lot controlled God's plan, but that God was still showing Lot mercy by waiting for him to escape.  We should never do anything that would go against God's plan.  Verse twenty-three adds, The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.  Lot reached Zoar during the day time.