When they arrive, Lot is sitting at the gate. He meets them, he invites them into his house.
I remember other biblical references to sitting at the gate of the city. This was the custom and practice of the Elders of the city. No doubt it had something to do with monitoring commerce. It is at the gate that judgments were made and punishments pronounced.
We should not assume that Lot was there, just sort of lounging around. It is likely that he was living out the customs and practices.
What he does is show hospitality to the visitors. They report that they are prepared to spend the night on the streets; Lot invites them into his home.
What follows is the subject for many a frightening sermon. The men of the city come to assault these visiting angels. Lot protects them as best he can; but these visitors have powers far beyond Lot's caring nature.
The New Testament references to Sodom speak of a city in which the orphans and widows were ignored. The latter references to this city destroyed by holy fire speak of the loss of hospitality.
There may be few things as significant at the way we respond to strangers, to those different from us, to those who will never be able to advance our social status. There may be few things as damning as turning a blind eye toward those in need of a place to stay and something to eat.
How many angels will pass through the gates of our city this day? How few will be greeted and welcomed into our homes?
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