III.        THE INTERVENING COMPASSION FOR THE CHOSEN RESIDENBTS               10-14

            A.         THE FOCUSED SEPARATION IN FACE OF JUDGMENT                                    10-11

It is Particular, 10a

Explication: Lot was the specific aim of their reaching out.  He was the focus of their particular redemption.

It is Certain, 10b

Explication: the hymn we sing "Safe and Secure from All the Alarm" ("Leaning on the Everlasting Arms") ---  and all Sodomites!  Shut the door brings to mind Gen 7:15-16; Jn 6:37, 40, 44; 10:28-30; etc.  The Lord God preserves his people; he knows how to rescue the righteous--- 2 Pe 2:9; etc.  

Amplification: the hands of God, the strong arms of God reaching out, they stretched out their arms in an act of particular redemption and in the face of all the Sodomites, although all of the enemies of God, their strong  arm reach out and attain salvation for him.

It Is Dramatic, 10

Explication: recall Ps 18:3-19; etc. However, Jesus Christ coming down from heaven in the fullness of time--- = most dramatic intervention of God.  When all the OT preparations had served their purposes; when  all  the preliminary activities of the Israelite cultus -- the sacrificial system, the Levitical priesthood, and so on -- had come to an end; when all the OT prophets, including John the Baptist, had proclaimed their last words,  the sovereign God the Holy Spirit most dramaticallycomes down and overshadows a virgin called Mary, choosing her particularly and definitely of all of them maidens in the city, and causing her to be pregnant with the eternal son of God, God Incarnate, Jesus Christ, while  still being a virgin. It's dramatic!

Then, after living sinless life, Jesus Christ attains the height of his humiliation by voluntarily submitting himself, at the hands of sinful Jews, to be crucified by Pontius Pilate, as God the father's only satisfaction and propitiation for sin.  It's dramatic!  On the day he was crucified, darkness -- -- earthquake -- - rock splits -- -- tombs opened and saints came out-- he surrendered his life -- -- the Centurion cried out, "truly this was the son of God! "  Mt 27:45-46, 50-54.  It's dramatic!

It Is Typical, 11

Of Lot.  Harks back to his previous captivity, 14:1-12, and rescue, 14-16; looks forward to 19:24-29.         

Of all believers -- 2Pe 2:7-10a.  A microcosmic representation of the drama of redemption.

It Is Dual, 11

Explication: God's redemption is always in the context of judgment.  His redemption of his chosen people, of his righteous people, of the people he chose to delight in and to separate unto himself, is always in the context of judgment of his enemies and by definition, their enemies.  Divine redemption is in triumph over sin and wickedness.  See Col 2:15.  Peace can only be obtained in the context of victory/triumph over enemies.  Here the sodomites are miraculously stricken with blindness. 

It Is Fitting, 11

Explication: both small and great afflicted with blindness.  As young and old committed the sin, so young and old are  Judged.

            B.         THE FURTHER SALVATION IN FACE OF JUDGMENT               12-13

The Extension of Grace, 12

Explication: God's grace deliberately, patiently extending to this recalcitrant saint and his family.  A preview of 2 Pe 3:9.  God delights in working through families.  

The Explanation of Destruction, 13

Explication: we have heard their cry of the afflicted, of the ones who have no recourse but to lift their voices and pour out, de profundis, from the very depths of their being, their petitions like water unto God who alone can help them.  We are here to defend the just God who answers the prayer of his righteous ones, Ps 107:6, 28

            C.         THE FOOLISH SCOFFING IN THE FACE OF JUDGMENT                                  14

Explication/Introduction: see here the lack of impact due to the worldly capitulation of the Christian of the backslider.  A very sorry scene.

Their Lack of Concern-  the apathy of depravity.  Unmoved by thread of divine judgment.  No fear of God.

Their Languishing in Carnality- they love to have it so!  Delighting in darkness

They Loved Their Corruption-content in their wickedness.

Lot’s Loss of Credibility- not regarded as serious; NIVSB: He “had lost his power of moral persuasion even among his family members.”

Conclusion: but God still speaking to us by his Son today.  His message is still the same.  It is the same message that Noah one preached, Mt 24:37-42.  It is the same message at Peter preached, 2 Pe 3:1-12. 

It is the same message to be preached today -- the gospel -- -- that Jesus is coming back soon to judge the quick and the dead; to sum up time and history in himself by delivering those that are in Christ and by dispatching those that are in Adam to an eternal, conscious judgment.  The message is the same.  Unless they repent, you likewise perish.  Salvation is in Christ alone.  Etc.; etc.  Yet, the same response is made today -- the majority are mocking.  That is your interpretation!.  That is your perspective of the world!.  We do not seen it that way!  In a highly technological, scientific world, no one believes that stuff anymore!  They scoff, 2 Pe 3:2-8. 

But God is speaking to us through Christ alone.  Hear ye Him.  Is it nothing to you that God has sent His Son to die for sin?   Is it nothing to you?  Lam 1:12.  Oh say, can't you hear?!