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From Eternity Past
people by His providence, but the last ray of light was rejected as all
before had been.
Now the last night of Sodom was approaching. But men perceived
it not. While angels drew near on their mission of destruction, men
were dreaming of prosperity and pleasure. The last day was like every
other that had come and gone. A landscape of unrivaled beauty was
bathed in the rays of the declining sun. Pleasure-seeking throngs were
passing to and fro, intent upon the enjoyment of the hour.
In the twilight, two strangers drew near to the city gate. None could
discern in those wayfarers the mighty heralds of divine judgment.
The careless multitude little dreamed that in their treatment of these
heavenly messengers that very night they would reach the climax of
guilt which doomed their city.
Lot Entertains Angels Unawares
But one man manifested kindly attention toward the strangers and
invited them to his home. Lot did not know their true character, but
politeness and hospitality were habitual with him—lessons he had
learned from Abraham. Had he not cultivated a spirit of courtesy,
he might have been left to perish with Sodom. Many a household,
in closing its doors against a stranger, has shut out God’s messenger
who would have brought blessing. The unpretending acts of daily
self-denial, performed with a cheerful, willing heart, God smiles upon.
Seeing the abuse to which strangers were exposed in Sodom, Lot
made it one of his duties to guard them by offering entertainment at
his own house. He was sitting at the gate as the travelers approached
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and rose from his place to meet them, and bowing courteously, said,
“Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant’s house,
and tarry all night.” They seemed to decline, saying, “Nay; but we will
abide in the street.” Their object in this answer was twofold—to test
the sincerity of Lot and to appear ignorant of the character of the men
of Sodom, as if they supposed it safe to remain in the street at night.
Lot pressed his invitation until they yielded and accompanied him to
his house.
Their hesitation and his persistent urging caused them to be ob-
served, and before they retired for the night, a lawless crowd gathered
about the house, an immense company, youth and aged men alike in-