Genesis Vol 3.pdf - College Press

, LOT’S LAST DAYS 19: 1-38
promoted to the dignity of one of the city judges, though
not perhaps justified as an inference from v. 9, is not at
all unlikely, considering his relationship to Abraham.”
Jamieson (CECG, 160), concerning the “gate”: “In east-
ern cities it is the market, and is often devoted to other
business transactions (Ruth, ch. 4), the administration of
justice, and the enjoyment of social intercourse and amuse-
ment; especially it is a favorite lounge in the evenings,
the arched roof affording a pleasant shade.” Or, wus Lot’s
presence at $be gate of Sodom a further proof of his moral
and spiritual degeneracy? As Leupold puts it (EG, J 5 5-
556) : “Lot’s presence here will hardly be accounted for
on the assumption that he was on the lookout for guests
in order to afford his hospitality an opportunity to wel-
come chance strangers. Strangers cannot have been so
common in those days. Rather, Lot’s presence in the gate
constitutes a reproach to the otherwise good and ‘right-
eous’ man (2 Pet. 2:s). After having first moved into
the Plain of Sodom (13:11), he presently chose Sodom
itself as his dwelling place (13: 12) ; and now finally he
has arrived at the point where the activities, the bustle
and stir, are looked upon with a more or less tolerant
interest. This much cannot be denied in the reference to
Lot, that when the approach of the strangers is noticed
by him, he promptly advances to them with a gracious
invitation. He is not ignorant of the danger that threatens
chance yisitors in such a town, He arises to meet them
and bows with the customary respectful oriental salutation.
. ., . With anxiety for their welfare-for he knows what
men in the open must face-and, perhaps, conscioixsly at
sk to himself,’ he makes his invitation as attrac-
ible.” (It‘ should ‘be recalled here that, accord,-;
pture, God does not look with favor on the
concentration ]of population. His command wgs, at the, I
first, “be fruitful, and mul$ply, and replenish I the earth,
and subdue ‘it,” Gen.’ 1:28. I, “Replenish” here means “to‘
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