Genesis Vol 3.pdf - College Press

LOT’S LAST DAYS 19: 1-38
Finally, this comment of Skinner (ICCG, 312), who follows
rather closely the so-called “analytical” interpretation
of Genesis, “Whatever truth there may be in the speculations,”
Le., about the origins and character of the patriarchal
stories, “the religious value of the biblical narrative
is not affected. Like the Deluge-story, it retains ,the power
to touch the conscience of the world as a terrible example
of divine vengeance on heinous wickedness and uniiatural
lust; and in this ethical purpose we have another testimony
to the unique grandeur of the idea of God in ancient
Israel.” But let us not forget that “vengeance” on God’s
part is izot reueizge, but uiizdication, that is, the vindication
of God’s absolute justice in not permitting His purposes
and laws to be violated with impunity. Penal infliction
of the right kind must have for its primary end
the sustaining of the majesty of law against all transgressors.
This, we are told, will be the essential character of the
Last Judgment (Rom. 2:5, Rev. 20:11-12).
The History of Lot ei.ilds here.
According to Robin-
son, the Arabs have a tradition that he was buried on
Beni-Naim, the elevated spot where Abraham stood before
the Lord interceding for Sodom and from which next
morning he viewed the smoke rising from the distant
desti.uction. “Lot is never mentioned again. Separated
both outwardly and inwardly from Abraham, he was of
no further importance in relation to the history of salva-
tion, so that even his death is not referred to. His de-
scendants, however, frequently come into contact with the.
Israelites; and the history of their descent is given here to
facilitate a correct appreciation of their conduct toward
Israel” (BCOTP) 238).
9. The Moabites amd Anziizonifes
The story of Lot, which is a kind of drama within
a drama in relation to the story of Abraham, has now come
to a rather inglorious end. The inspired writer “never
loses sight of the fact that history, in the last analysis, is
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