Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD. (Genesis 13:12-13 NASB)
Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply, and departed. They also took Lot, Abram's nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom. (Genesis 14:11-12 NASB)
The king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself." Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have sworn to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, 'I have made Abram rich.' I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share." (Genesis 14:21-24 NASB)
Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. (Genesis 19:1 NASB)
But they said, "Stand aside." Furthermore, they said, "This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them." So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door. (Genesis 19:9 NASB)
The problem of Sodom and Gomorrah wasn't a secret. When Lot settled there after he and Abram left Egypt, it was known what sort of place it was. In spite of that, he settled close. Very shortly thereafter, he is found living inside the city, having given up his tents (we're not sure about the flocks, herds, etc.).
Abram knows what sort of place Sodom is, how it's view by his Master, and doesn't accept anything from their king. In fact he says something rather interesting, he says that he doesn't want the king of Sodom to be able to say that he made Abram rich. The reason I find that interesting is how he ties wealth to Sodom. Lot's wealth seems to evaporate, yet the city and its king are known for wealth. There isn't a reason given, but in that time period, trade is the usual manner in which cities and people gained wealth. The reason that Lot chose that area was because, as the text says, it was lush like the garden of God. So, agriculture would likely have played an important part, both farming and herding.
On the other hand, they really weren't soldiers or at least not good ones, and one consistent thing about agrarian cultures is that they can usually wallop city-folk. They only lose because they don't have the numbers, but man-for-man bet on the farmer. That's not very..."good" deductive reasoning or even an educated guess; really it's more personal observation and prejudice. But it leaves room for another marginal hypothesis on where the wealth of Sodom came from. What if it were gambling and other "pleasure" commerce? Is it a general truth that people who work hard, also play hard? Maybe not, but it is often true, especially if they work hard remote from their homes and families. So what if Sodom were filled with distilleries, bordellos, casinos, and restaurants? Perhaps all of these were combined into an "Inn" where travelers passed the night. Who knows, but it's not as likely as trade commerce. Those sorts of things may have been present, but it is a long shot that they fueled the economy (although distilleries do burn well...).
The reason I bring up those particular business types is because they fuel the degradation of my culture and country, at least in my opinion. Those sorts of businesses make their income from the weakness of people. Both legal and illegal chemicals to loose touch with reality are available here. While prostitution is illegal (except in outlying regions of Nevada), it is a common vice in major cities. Now casinos are popping up on Native American Reservations all across the country. And restaurants feed a natural, but over indulged human appetite.
I like restaurants, and frequent them; but I'm gaining weight (not their fault, but they don't hep either). I don't drink, don't have a problem with people who do, but it's hard not to read at least one local news source without one of the articles announcing another alcohol-related death. Prostitution is wrong, most people agree with that, yet in movies, advertising, and other entertainment sex is usually a part of the "attraction". Gambling consumes peoples time, finances, and souls; my opinion, and I know it's not alone in that, but there it is. These examples of "commerce" are hurting my country and my people.
As I said, I do participate in some of these businesses, well, restaurants anyway. So, in a sense I too am "entranced" by Sodom, giving in to the attraction of what I know to be wrong, or at least dangerous. On other elements, I look on but don't address the problems, somewhat like the cities and regions around Sodom. They traded with them, contributing to their wealth and, therefore, their degradation. How far off am I from Lot and others? Not as far as I should be. I believe my Master calls it "holiness" and it gets tough really fast. Time to, once again, put on my "big boy pants" and get after it. See you tomorrow?
Showing posts with label Sodom and Gomorrah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sodom and Gomorrah. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Monday, June 18, 2012
The Fractured Reality of Sodom 4: The Fractured Reality of Lot
Lot went up from Zoar, and stayed in the mountains, and his two daughters with him; for he was afraid to stay in Zoar; and he stayed in a cave, he and his two daughters. Then the firstborn said to the younger, "Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of the earth. "Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him that we may preserve our family through our father." So they made their father drink wine that night, and the firstborn went in and lay with her father; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. On the following day, the firstborn said to the younger, "Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine tonight also; then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve our family through our father." So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger arose and lay with him; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. The firstborn bore a son, and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. As for the younger, she also bore a son, and called his name Ben-ammi; he is the father of the sons of Ammon to this day. (Genesis 19:30-38 NASB)
The cities of the valley (except for Zoar) are all slag. They probably still smoke. Lot and his two daughters are the only survivors of the dramatic conflagration of the most sinful cities on the planet. Yet, he's afraid to stay in Zoar. I would think he'd be somewhat of a celebrity and have a great story to tell. But he is afraid, and it doesn't say what of. Perhaps he feared that God would complete the destruction of the valley with Zoar, and he didn't want to be anywhere near there.
So, he leaves with his two daughter, and where does he go? The mountains to live in a cave. I don't get that. Sure the angels told him to run to the hills, but they never said to live there! They said to leave the region, then relented and let him reach Zoar. They were safe, of sorts. All he had was lost to Sodom before the angels appeared. He leaves with himself, his wife, and his two daughters, and only he and his daughters make it. They are of marrying age, so where else would you take such ladies to live? A cave is such an obvious choice...oh wait.
What I can't figure out is why he didn't return to Abraham. Obviously the problem they had before was not a problem now since Lot didn't have herds and flocks, and so on. He had to know that Abraham would take him back since he had already gone to such lengths to save him from the raiding kings of the east. Why it never occurs to him to "go home" is really puzzling to me. If it's pride, he's only in for more shame. And if it's for shame, it's about to get worse. The final degradation of Lot only shows his own fractured reality, and how it is passed on to, and through, his daughters.
His two daughters decide to get their father drunk, and have children by him. They can't imagine husbands for themselves while they live in a cave (I'm with them on that one). So incest seems the best solution to them. But they know that their father won't cooperate willingly, so they use the common "date rape drug" of the time, wine. While I think the unwillingness of Lot, and that his daughters knew that about him is a credit to his character, I can't balance that against the decision to live in a cave in the first place. His character is overshadowed by a broken reality. Their solution makes me shudder, but I can understand (but only at a distance) why they felt it was necessary. They are without hope, and their father's faith isn't one they want to be a part of.
So where is the point for me? Where do I fit in this picture of a fractured reality? Unfortunately way too close. Addicts of any sort on their way toward sobriety will be able to see themselves in this account. The Big Book of AA calls it "hitting bottom"; it's when the fractured reality fractures and reality hits home like a sledge hammer. The illusions finally implode, unable to support the consequences kept at bay by denial for so long. What becomes clear looking back over the wreckage of life is how far away from reality I could get. It was surreal, and hard to believe, even seeing it in print (Step 4, the moral inventory). It was like it happened to someone else.
The common theme of a lost touch with reality, the behavior out of control, and the ruinous effects on families is all part of the addiction. Even that Lot lost everything (seemingly before the angels arrived - there were no household servants or flocks, herds, or anything to save) is so familiar to recovering addicts. The addiction will consume everything material, emotional, and, eventually, spiritual. So, to an embarrassing degree, I do get Lot. I do actually understand being so driven by shame that I believed I couldn't go home, couldn't be honest, couldn't let anyone into my life because they'd hate me, reject me, hurt me, and I'd be alone (which is where I was because of my behavior anyway - duh). Yep, being a bonehead is something I have on my "resume" for wherever I go. I own it now, seeking in honesty, to keep it from happening again. I seek that painful ground in reality that hurts, is uncomfortable, and creates dependence on my Master and His other followers. So, my lot in life is to be an example that it's possible to go home again. It may hurt, and it is a lot of shame to own, but it is possible. And it is a lot better than living in a cave; lots better.
The cities of the valley (except for Zoar) are all slag. They probably still smoke. Lot and his two daughters are the only survivors of the dramatic conflagration of the most sinful cities on the planet. Yet, he's afraid to stay in Zoar. I would think he'd be somewhat of a celebrity and have a great story to tell. But he is afraid, and it doesn't say what of. Perhaps he feared that God would complete the destruction of the valley with Zoar, and he didn't want to be anywhere near there.
So, he leaves with his two daughter, and where does he go? The mountains to live in a cave. I don't get that. Sure the angels told him to run to the hills, but they never said to live there! They said to leave the region, then relented and let him reach Zoar. They were safe, of sorts. All he had was lost to Sodom before the angels appeared. He leaves with himself, his wife, and his two daughters, and only he and his daughters make it. They are of marrying age, so where else would you take such ladies to live? A cave is such an obvious choice...oh wait.
What I can't figure out is why he didn't return to Abraham. Obviously the problem they had before was not a problem now since Lot didn't have herds and flocks, and so on. He had to know that Abraham would take him back since he had already gone to such lengths to save him from the raiding kings of the east. Why it never occurs to him to "go home" is really puzzling to me. If it's pride, he's only in for more shame. And if it's for shame, it's about to get worse. The final degradation of Lot only shows his own fractured reality, and how it is passed on to, and through, his daughters.
His two daughters decide to get their father drunk, and have children by him. They can't imagine husbands for themselves while they live in a cave (I'm with them on that one). So incest seems the best solution to them. But they know that their father won't cooperate willingly, so they use the common "date rape drug" of the time, wine. While I think the unwillingness of Lot, and that his daughters knew that about him is a credit to his character, I can't balance that against the decision to live in a cave in the first place. His character is overshadowed by a broken reality. Their solution makes me shudder, but I can understand (but only at a distance) why they felt it was necessary. They are without hope, and their father's faith isn't one they want to be a part of.
So where is the point for me? Where do I fit in this picture of a fractured reality? Unfortunately way too close. Addicts of any sort on their way toward sobriety will be able to see themselves in this account. The Big Book of AA calls it "hitting bottom"; it's when the fractured reality fractures and reality hits home like a sledge hammer. The illusions finally implode, unable to support the consequences kept at bay by denial for so long. What becomes clear looking back over the wreckage of life is how far away from reality I could get. It was surreal, and hard to believe, even seeing it in print (Step 4, the moral inventory). It was like it happened to someone else.
The common theme of a lost touch with reality, the behavior out of control, and the ruinous effects on families is all part of the addiction. Even that Lot lost everything (seemingly before the angels arrived - there were no household servants or flocks, herds, or anything to save) is so familiar to recovering addicts. The addiction will consume everything material, emotional, and, eventually, spiritual. So, to an embarrassing degree, I do get Lot. I do actually understand being so driven by shame that I believed I couldn't go home, couldn't be honest, couldn't let anyone into my life because they'd hate me, reject me, hurt me, and I'd be alone (which is where I was because of my behavior anyway - duh). Yep, being a bonehead is something I have on my "resume" for wherever I go. I own it now, seeking in honesty, to keep it from happening again. I seek that painful ground in reality that hurts, is uncomfortable, and creates dependence on my Master and His other followers. So, my lot in life is to be an example that it's possible to go home again. It may hurt, and it is a lot of shame to own, but it is possible. And it is a lot better than living in a cave; lots better.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
The Fractured Reality of Sodom 3: Why Is It So Hard To Leave?
When morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Up, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away in the punishment of the city." But he hesitated. So the men seized his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, for the compassion of the LORD was upon him; and they brought him out, and put him outside the city. When they had brought them outside, one said, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away." But Lot said to them, "Oh no, my lords! Now behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your lovingkindness, which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, for the disaster will overtake me and I will die; now behold, this town is near enough to flee to, and it is small. Please, let me escape there (is it not small?) that my life may be saved." He said to him, "Behold, I grant you this request also, not to overthrow the town of which you have spoken. Hurry, escape there, for I cannot do anything until you arrive there." Therefore the name of the town was called Zoar. The sun had risen over the earth when Lot came to Zoar. Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven, and He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:15-26 NASB)
Okay, so Lot knows who these guys are, they tell him they are here to destroy the city, and yet, he can't seem to get it together to leave. Really? A roving mob of nocturnal rapists makes up the most common past time of the place and yet Lot can't let the place go. I find it difficult to understand why he's there in the first place. I was hoping that he was hoping to share the influence of his God with them. But his refusal to leave flies in the face of that. If he truly believed in the power of God and truth of the coming destruction, I would hope his faith would impel him to get out of Dodge.
The text is alarmingly specific here. Lot "hesitated". The angels had to take he, his wife, and his two daughters by the hand and bring them out of Sodom. They were told to run for the hills, but Lot then negotiates to make for a small town on the plain because the hills are too far. The angel tells him that nothing will happen until he's safe, but he wants the town. And God gives him that.
The text is also specific that this is happening for Lot because of the compassion of God and his love of Abraham. I would also include the patience of God. These two angels put up with way more than they should have from Lot. So strong was the love and compassion of God (in the midst of His wrath - don't miss the irony here) that He endured the failures of Lot as He saved he and his family.
We are not told, and I find it really difficult to guess at the attraction of Sodom. What was it that was so difficult to give up, especially given the description of the place? On the other hand, I am not so far out of my own refuse pile of sin that I can't remember how difficult it is to release. There are many things to which people give themselves that consume them and yet are difficult to let go. I remember mine, and still, occasionally feel it's pull back. So, while the text may not tell us what it was specifically with Sodom, I suspect that it had to do with all those things to which a person can loose themselves. I suspect Lot had his, even though we may not be told what it was specifically. It was as if all the addictions off humanity were located in those two cities. That would explain such a fractured reality on an entire community.
I see the difficulties and the casualties of my own sin in my life. I see here the description of Lot's (and his gets worse on in the chapter). While I'm not told the specific sin, the consequences are described, and I can readily recognize the connections with my own life. In fact, there are still things I find it difficult to give up, and I don't know why. Perhaps I need to spend more time here letting the lesson of Lot sink in. There is a message from my Master to my soul here: LET IT GO!
The life I live in this world, I should be living in relationship with my Master. Only then is life truly eternal. Isn't it another kind of fractured reality to endure something in my life that hinders this relationship? Does it make any more sense for me to hold on to anything, sinful sounding or not, that impedes my walk with my Master, my availability to Him, my ability to hear Him, and therefore obey Him? In these ways, am I not like Lot? A little too much for my comfort.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
The Fractured Reality of Sodom 2: The Mob, The Judge, And The Angels
Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter; and they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may have relations with them." But Lot went out to them at the doorway, and shut the door behind him, and said, "Please, my brothers, do not act wickedly. "Now behold, I have two daughters who have not had relations with man; please let me bring them out to you, and do to them whatever you like; only do nothing to these men, inasmuch as they have come under the shelter of my roof." But they said, "Stand aside." Furthermore, they said, "This one came in as an alien, and already he is acting like a judge; now we will treat you worse than them." So they pressed hard against Lot and came near to break the door. But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. They struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the doorway. (Genesis 19:4-11 NASB)
I don't know where to start. I was expecting to be shocked, to find a wickedness, but the depths of this shocked me. I was hoping to somehow rescue the character of Lot from his surroundings, but I'm failing. I'm trying to find some cultural or ethnic tradition or something that explains what I read, but I'm not finding it. So, I will simply unpack it and let be what it is.
The men of Sodom, from all over the city and from all age groups, form a mob. It's not said this is usual or not, a festival or not, but they circle themselves around the house. Their intent is the men who came to Lot's house; they want to "know" them, and, in this case, it would be "biblically". So a mob, forming for no other clear reason than to take the men who just came to the city, encircle Lot's house and call for him to send them out. Remember that Lot strongly urged the angels, who intended to stay in the plaza, to stay with him. I infer from this that the mob was neither an isolated occurrence, nor surprising to Lot. He seemed to know what was coming.
Some sort of "carnival" (in the ancient sense of that word) would go a long way to explain their behavior, but none is mentioned. Perhaps every night was "carnival night" in Sodom. The moral conditions of the place are not explained, but merely described. It's creepy. The attitude that spawns such behavior is in every part of the city, and in every generation of them. They don't "grow out of it" at some point. It is pervasive, insidious, and completely irrational.
Before you jump all over the "irrational" judgement, ask yourself, how do these people conduct trade with other cities or regions if this is how they treat visitors? How can they survive without commerce? The very fact that they are known by other cities and regions was demonstrated in chapter 14, so how can they adopt this mode of behavior and still remain a viable presence? It is truly irrational to behave as they are.
And yet, Abraham considers them a moral blight on the land even as he rescues their goods (and Lot) from conquering kings. So, they are known for their evil even before this. And yet, they are tolerated by their neighbors. They aren't a military power (they lost a battle where 318 + 4 won), so what is it that they have which is so "tolerable" to their neighbors? And it's not just their neighbors.
When Lot goes out to speak with them, he calls them "brothers"! Really? Seriously? The whole passage quickly takes on the surreal psychotic feel very quickly. How can such a place exist? Even during the 30-years war, the Catholics and Protestants agreed on one thing, the destruction of Muenster was necessary. They joined forces and burnt it to the ground. It was recognized by both sides as an evil place. Why that hasn't happened here, long ago, baffles me.
"And everyone's okay with this?" Lot's answer to their plea is to send out his virgin daughters. I'm shocked! I have no explanation for such a suggestion. It could be part of hospitality in that culture, but I don't find other examples of it. First he calls them "brothers" and then offers them his daughters if they will just leave the visitors alone. They refuse. Of course they do. Why would a mob of men want a couple of women when there are two men as options? The place is upside down, and the condition is pervasive, and for whatever reason, "acceptable" to their neighbors.
So, at what point does such insidious evil become acceptable to me? What has to happen to me and what do I need to experience to find such things acceptable? Probably way too much. But what if the people and attitude of Sodom wasn't "acceptable" to their neighbors (they didn't necessarily do the same things), but the neighbors were apathetic? Now I'm closer to fitting the description. How often to I turn a blind eye or deaf ear to the wickedness of my own country? It's become such a cacophony that it blends into a constant noise I have learned to ignore. There's just too much of it to deal with, it seems hopeless to stand against it.
But that is me living in Sodom, calling the people "my brothers", and seeking to mollify them by sacrificing what is precious to me. I haven't reached that point yet, but really, how far away is it? When I don't speak out against the vocal evil, isn't that tacit acceptance? When I refuse to point out that my Master is against behavior am I not loosing my moral ground? At least Lot tried to be a judge to bring some semblance of righteousness to the place. It did no good but have I even tried that?
I think I am supposed to judge from my Master's perspective. I am to be vocal about what my Master says is important. I am supposed to be "judgmental" because my Master has given me, and all His followers, the responsibility to be a vocal proponent and an object lesson of what He says. But am I? Do I address the evil around me as the evil it is? Do I point out wickedness? No, I don't. And more often than not it is because I am aware of the wickedness in my own life and do not see myself as qualified to point it out. I fear being a hypocrite who is as bad as those he criticizes. But my Master calls me to be His broken and cracked jar of His glory. He has called me and my fellow believers to own the failures of our lives and cry out against the evil around us. It takes both confession and proclamation. It's not comfortable; less comfortable than apathy against the evil.
So, to change I have to man-up, put on my "big boy pants", and stand in integrity against the evil of my community. Integrity means owning my failures, but not letting them disqualify me from vocally and actively standing for my Master's views. Bold words. Now I need to give them hands and feet, and therefore steel. Deep breath. Okay, let's do it.
I don't know where to start. I was expecting to be shocked, to find a wickedness, but the depths of this shocked me. I was hoping to somehow rescue the character of Lot from his surroundings, but I'm failing. I'm trying to find some cultural or ethnic tradition or something that explains what I read, but I'm not finding it. So, I will simply unpack it and let be what it is.
The men of Sodom, from all over the city and from all age groups, form a mob. It's not said this is usual or not, a festival or not, but they circle themselves around the house. Their intent is the men who came to Lot's house; they want to "know" them, and, in this case, it would be "biblically". So a mob, forming for no other clear reason than to take the men who just came to the city, encircle Lot's house and call for him to send them out. Remember that Lot strongly urged the angels, who intended to stay in the plaza, to stay with him. I infer from this that the mob was neither an isolated occurrence, nor surprising to Lot. He seemed to know what was coming.
Some sort of "carnival" (in the ancient sense of that word) would go a long way to explain their behavior, but none is mentioned. Perhaps every night was "carnival night" in Sodom. The moral conditions of the place are not explained, but merely described. It's creepy. The attitude that spawns such behavior is in every part of the city, and in every generation of them. They don't "grow out of it" at some point. It is pervasive, insidious, and completely irrational.
Before you jump all over the "irrational" judgement, ask yourself, how do these people conduct trade with other cities or regions if this is how they treat visitors? How can they survive without commerce? The very fact that they are known by other cities and regions was demonstrated in chapter 14, so how can they adopt this mode of behavior and still remain a viable presence? It is truly irrational to behave as they are.
And yet, Abraham considers them a moral blight on the land even as he rescues their goods (and Lot) from conquering kings. So, they are known for their evil even before this. And yet, they are tolerated by their neighbors. They aren't a military power (they lost a battle where 318 + 4 won), so what is it that they have which is so "tolerable" to their neighbors? And it's not just their neighbors.
When Lot goes out to speak with them, he calls them "brothers"! Really? Seriously? The whole passage quickly takes on the surreal psychotic feel very quickly. How can such a place exist? Even during the 30-years war, the Catholics and Protestants agreed on one thing, the destruction of Muenster was necessary. They joined forces and burnt it to the ground. It was recognized by both sides as an evil place. Why that hasn't happened here, long ago, baffles me.
"And everyone's okay with this?" Lot's answer to their plea is to send out his virgin daughters. I'm shocked! I have no explanation for such a suggestion. It could be part of hospitality in that culture, but I don't find other examples of it. First he calls them "brothers" and then offers them his daughters if they will just leave the visitors alone. They refuse. Of course they do. Why would a mob of men want a couple of women when there are two men as options? The place is upside down, and the condition is pervasive, and for whatever reason, "acceptable" to their neighbors.
So, at what point does such insidious evil become acceptable to me? What has to happen to me and what do I need to experience to find such things acceptable? Probably way too much. But what if the people and attitude of Sodom wasn't "acceptable" to their neighbors (they didn't necessarily do the same things), but the neighbors were apathetic? Now I'm closer to fitting the description. How often to I turn a blind eye or deaf ear to the wickedness of my own country? It's become such a cacophony that it blends into a constant noise I have learned to ignore. There's just too much of it to deal with, it seems hopeless to stand against it.
But that is me living in Sodom, calling the people "my brothers", and seeking to mollify them by sacrificing what is precious to me. I haven't reached that point yet, but really, how far away is it? When I don't speak out against the vocal evil, isn't that tacit acceptance? When I refuse to point out that my Master is against behavior am I not loosing my moral ground? At least Lot tried to be a judge to bring some semblance of righteousness to the place. It did no good but have I even tried that?
I think I am supposed to judge from my Master's perspective. I am to be vocal about what my Master says is important. I am supposed to be "judgmental" because my Master has given me, and all His followers, the responsibility to be a vocal proponent and an object lesson of what He says. But am I? Do I address the evil around me as the evil it is? Do I point out wickedness? No, I don't. And more often than not it is because I am aware of the wickedness in my own life and do not see myself as qualified to point it out. I fear being a hypocrite who is as bad as those he criticizes. But my Master calls me to be His broken and cracked jar of His glory. He has called me and my fellow believers to own the failures of our lives and cry out against the evil around us. It takes both confession and proclamation. It's not comfortable; less comfortable than apathy against the evil.
So, to change I have to man-up, put on my "big boy pants", and stand in integrity against the evil of my community. Integrity means owning my failures, but not letting them disqualify me from vocally and actively standing for my Master's views. Bold words. Now I need to give them hands and feet, and therefore steel. Deep breath. Okay, let's do it.
Friday, June 15, 2012
The Fractured Reality of Sodom 1: The Unexpected Judge
Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. And he said, "Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant's house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." They said however, "No, but we shall spend the night in the square." Yet he urged them strongly, so they turned aside to him and entered his house; and he prepared a feast for them, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. (Genesis 19:1-3 NASB)
In this chapter I am going to wander into the spooky world that is Sodom before it's destroyed. Right off the bat, in the first few verses, I find what I would never expect. In the ancient days of cities, the gates were important places. It constituted the "courts" of their day. The elders of a city would sit and deliberate various civil cases that people brought before them. The elders were said to be "sitting in the gate" for this purpose. This phrase appears right in verse 1, and it's Lot! What this verse essentially says is that at this time Lot is an elder in Sodom, the most sinful place on the planet at the time.
What does it mean to be an elder in Sodom? Lot clearly has enough of his sensibilities to recognize the two angels for what they were. His greeting is much like Abraham's in the previous chapter. It doesn't say specifically he was the only elder, but no one else is mentioned. I infer from the way it's worded here that he is the only one. Could it be that "elder" and judge over civil disputes is a job that, instead of being highly regarded, was held in contempt? What if Lot took the job because no one else was willing, and he saw it as important? With all the sin in the city, why wasn't he so busy he may not have even noticed the angels? It's like he's a judge and an elder, but without respect or recognized authority.
What if Lot's ability to recognize the angels infers some degree of "righteousness" still exists with him? In that case, the city would have had a "righteous judge" whom they completely ignored. He should have had influence for God in that place as an elder and judge, but didn't. There should have been constant inquiries of what Lot thought on a matter, and there wasn't. Consider what sort of city has a righteous judge whom they completely disregard and hold in contempt. Laws are only effective when the society enforces them. It is understood (but rarely contemplated) that people have to agree to live by laws for those laws to have their desired effect. It takes more than force for laws to begin to work. The force of a few rarely works for long against the unwillingness of a mob to comply. The right to assemble is a frightening thing for those in power.
What's my point? It's common for us to point at another city and say, "Sin City!" But in my own town, in my own neighborhood, do I have any effect on the moral health of those around me? What about the sin in my city, in my neighborhood? Does my Master have influence through me in these places? It's easy to point at other places, other people, and other mobs, but what about my place, my people, and the mob of people around me? What sort of influence am I here? If I were to "sit in the gate" here would I be ignored? If I put myself forward as an elder, would I be respected? Would people in my neighborhood wonder what I thought of matters of concern to them?
It's not about how great I might be, it's about how much influence my Master has through me. I'm not really wise, I try to be sensitive to my Master's Spirit leading me. I'm not "powerful", I rely on the power of my Master. I'm not respected around here, instead I try to let my Master's words gain respect for Him. So, what sort of influence do I have? How effective am I in my efforts to point others to my Master? I'm somewhat ashamed to say that I don't know. I feel I should, at least know more than I do. I believe, wrongly or rightly, that there should be some tangible evidence of my influence for my Master right here where I live. But I don't know of it. I'm not complaining, I'm just pointing out an area of my life where I believe I'm lacking. I also believe the answer is fearless devotion to my Master. So, it's time for me to take a deep breath and take a step out my door and into the lives of those I live around. Scary, but necessary.
In this chapter I am going to wander into the spooky world that is Sodom before it's destroyed. Right off the bat, in the first few verses, I find what I would never expect. In the ancient days of cities, the gates were important places. It constituted the "courts" of their day. The elders of a city would sit and deliberate various civil cases that people brought before them. The elders were said to be "sitting in the gate" for this purpose. This phrase appears right in verse 1, and it's Lot! What this verse essentially says is that at this time Lot is an elder in Sodom, the most sinful place on the planet at the time.
What does it mean to be an elder in Sodom? Lot clearly has enough of his sensibilities to recognize the two angels for what they were. His greeting is much like Abraham's in the previous chapter. It doesn't say specifically he was the only elder, but no one else is mentioned. I infer from the way it's worded here that he is the only one. Could it be that "elder" and judge over civil disputes is a job that, instead of being highly regarded, was held in contempt? What if Lot took the job because no one else was willing, and he saw it as important? With all the sin in the city, why wasn't he so busy he may not have even noticed the angels? It's like he's a judge and an elder, but without respect or recognized authority.
What if Lot's ability to recognize the angels infers some degree of "righteousness" still exists with him? In that case, the city would have had a "righteous judge" whom they completely ignored. He should have had influence for God in that place as an elder and judge, but didn't. There should have been constant inquiries of what Lot thought on a matter, and there wasn't. Consider what sort of city has a righteous judge whom they completely disregard and hold in contempt. Laws are only effective when the society enforces them. It is understood (but rarely contemplated) that people have to agree to live by laws for those laws to have their desired effect. It takes more than force for laws to begin to work. The force of a few rarely works for long against the unwillingness of a mob to comply. The right to assemble is a frightening thing for those in power.
What's my point? It's common for us to point at another city and say, "Sin City!" But in my own town, in my own neighborhood, do I have any effect on the moral health of those around me? What about the sin in my city, in my neighborhood? Does my Master have influence through me in these places? It's easy to point at other places, other people, and other mobs, but what about my place, my people, and the mob of people around me? What sort of influence am I here? If I were to "sit in the gate" here would I be ignored? If I put myself forward as an elder, would I be respected? Would people in my neighborhood wonder what I thought of matters of concern to them?
It's not about how great I might be, it's about how much influence my Master has through me. I'm not really wise, I try to be sensitive to my Master's Spirit leading me. I'm not "powerful", I rely on the power of my Master. I'm not respected around here, instead I try to let my Master's words gain respect for Him. So, what sort of influence do I have? How effective am I in my efforts to point others to my Master? I'm somewhat ashamed to say that I don't know. I feel I should, at least know more than I do. I believe, wrongly or rightly, that there should be some tangible evidence of my influence for my Master right here where I live. But I don't know of it. I'm not complaining, I'm just pointing out an area of my life where I believe I'm lacking. I also believe the answer is fearless devotion to my Master. So, it's time for me to take a deep breath and take a step out my door and into the lives of those I live around. Scary, but necessary.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
What Difference Have I Made?
The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him." And the LORD said, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know." Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD. Abraham came near and said, "Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?" So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account." And Abraham replied, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes. "Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?" And He said, "I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there." He spoke to Him yet again and said, "Suppose forty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it on account of the forty." Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?" And He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there." And he said, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the twenty." Then he said, "Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?" And He said, "I will not destroy it on account of the ten." As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place. (Genesis 18:17-33 NASB)
After discussing the coming child, as Abraham is sending his important guests on their way, they stop along the way '...down toward Sodom' (v.16). Now the Maker of all matter in the universe asks (I still don't know who) if He should tell Abraham what's about to happen. Obviously a rhetorical question, but it presents an opportunity to, once again, cover the covenant promise. It seems that Yahweh has heard the outcry of the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. It is so bad that their sin cries out to Yahweh. It's so sinful, sin doesn't approve any more. Yet He never says He will destroy the place, Abraham has an idea of what He will find (okay, already knows, but there's a "game afoot" here), and connects the dots.
So, as the two "artillery spotters" leave, Abraham sidles up to Yahweh and begins to negotiate with the Ruler of the universe. What if there are 50 righteous in the two cities? Can the Righteous Judge treat the wicked and the righteous the same? How about 45, 40, 30, 20, and finally, 10. What is Abraham up to? I'm not alone is supposing he is trying to save his nephew, Lot. Lot moved to the valley, right next to Sodom with his entire "household". Surely, out of such a large household, 50 of them would still be righteous. But you would think at least 10. Prior to the next chapter, Lot is never described as being married nor of having daughters old enough to be married. Much has been added to Lot's household, so surely now, with a wife and daughters, there should be 10 righteous, at least.
In the preceding chapters, we're never told how much contact Abraham had with Lot after the battle of the four Kings of the East. In fact, we're not told what sort of communication they had. It might be assumed that there was some sort of contact, but we're never given any indication. Clearly Abraham cared enough to go to war for his nephew. Here he is willing to haggle with the Omniscient One, which is tough because He already knows everything you might say. How do you provide Him "additional" information? What Abraham is banking on, hoping for, and counting on is that Lot has maintained some sort of influence for righteousness in that place. Whether he has or not is answered in the next chapter.
So, I'm left with the question for myself, "what sort of influence have I had?" I don't live in one of Satan's cities (that's 8 hours south of here), but if my Master did want to destroy my town, would I have had enough of an influence for ten righteous to be found here? This is really a rhetorical question since we already have more than that, and did before I got here. My point has to do with my level of influence among the people I live near. How much influence for righteousness have I had?
Now, I can say that I've only been here less than a year. I can point out that I don't interact much because I work all day in my "inescapable" office, a slave to my IP phone. I can complain that I'm still getting to know my neighbors. I can say all that, but the question still remains, because none of these questions excuses me from the responsibility to be an influence for my Master.
In my accountability group, we have a great question, "Did you accomplish things of eternal significance each day?" Wow! I have to answer "no" most of the time. I deal with customers all across the US, and in some foreign countries, and don't really know what sort of "eternal significance" the interactions might have. But, what about with my family? What about with my wife? What about with my daughter? My church family? My neighbors? I have plenty of opportunity to accomplish something of eternal significance, but do I take it? If someone had to negotiate with the Master of the universe for this city, would I have had enough influence here that my Master would spare it?
Well, now that I've beaten myself up with such demands and challenges, I suppose I should get after it. I'm burning daylight, and have things of eternal significance to pursue. Maybe today I will accomplish one or more of them. Do they carry over to the next day? I suspect not.
After discussing the coming child, as Abraham is sending his important guests on their way, they stop along the way '...down toward Sodom' (v.16). Now the Maker of all matter in the universe asks (I still don't know who) if He should tell Abraham what's about to happen. Obviously a rhetorical question, but it presents an opportunity to, once again, cover the covenant promise. It seems that Yahweh has heard the outcry of the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. It is so bad that their sin cries out to Yahweh. It's so sinful, sin doesn't approve any more. Yet He never says He will destroy the place, Abraham has an idea of what He will find (okay, already knows, but there's a "game afoot" here), and connects the dots.
So, as the two "artillery spotters" leave, Abraham sidles up to Yahweh and begins to negotiate with the Ruler of the universe. What if there are 50 righteous in the two cities? Can the Righteous Judge treat the wicked and the righteous the same? How about 45, 40, 30, 20, and finally, 10. What is Abraham up to? I'm not alone is supposing he is trying to save his nephew, Lot. Lot moved to the valley, right next to Sodom with his entire "household". Surely, out of such a large household, 50 of them would still be righteous. But you would think at least 10. Prior to the next chapter, Lot is never described as being married nor of having daughters old enough to be married. Much has been added to Lot's household, so surely now, with a wife and daughters, there should be 10 righteous, at least.
In the preceding chapters, we're never told how much contact Abraham had with Lot after the battle of the four Kings of the East. In fact, we're not told what sort of communication they had. It might be assumed that there was some sort of contact, but we're never given any indication. Clearly Abraham cared enough to go to war for his nephew. Here he is willing to haggle with the Omniscient One, which is tough because He already knows everything you might say. How do you provide Him "additional" information? What Abraham is banking on, hoping for, and counting on is that Lot has maintained some sort of influence for righteousness in that place. Whether he has or not is answered in the next chapter.
So, I'm left with the question for myself, "what sort of influence have I had?" I don't live in one of Satan's cities (that's 8 hours south of here), but if my Master did want to destroy my town, would I have had enough of an influence for ten righteous to be found here? This is really a rhetorical question since we already have more than that, and did before I got here. My point has to do with my level of influence among the people I live near. How much influence for righteousness have I had?
Now, I can say that I've only been here less than a year. I can point out that I don't interact much because I work all day in my "inescapable" office, a slave to my IP phone. I can complain that I'm still getting to know my neighbors. I can say all that, but the question still remains, because none of these questions excuses me from the responsibility to be an influence for my Master.
In my accountability group, we have a great question, "Did you accomplish things of eternal significance each day?" Wow! I have to answer "no" most of the time. I deal with customers all across the US, and in some foreign countries, and don't really know what sort of "eternal significance" the interactions might have. But, what about with my family? What about with my wife? What about with my daughter? My church family? My neighbors? I have plenty of opportunity to accomplish something of eternal significance, but do I take it? If someone had to negotiate with the Master of the universe for this city, would I have had enough influence here that my Master would spare it?
Well, now that I've beaten myself up with such demands and challenges, I suppose I should get after it. I'm burning daylight, and have things of eternal significance to pursue. Maybe today I will accomplish one or more of them. Do they carry over to the next day? I suspect not.
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