And the men said vnto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? sonne in law, and thy sonnes, and thy daughters, and whatsoeuer thou hast in the citie, bring them out of this place. Genesis 19:12 (KJV)
Context: In this verse we find the setting of the Sodom and Gomorrah narrative. Lot, the nephew of Abraham, had taken residence in the city of Sodom with his family. Two angels, appearing as men, came to visit Lot and to warn him of the imminent divine destruction of the city.
The visitation of the angels: The men who spoke to Lot were in fact angels. Their appearance represents a divine intervention and demonstrates God’s mercy toward Lot and his household. Their purpose was to rescue the righteous before the judgment fell upon Sodom.
God’s concern for the righteous: The angels asked Lot whether he had any other family members in the city—specifically his son‑in‑law, his sons, and his daughters—and whatever he possessed. This question reveals God’s concern for those who are faithful and His willingness to spare them from judgment. The drafts note that Lot’s sons‑in‑law did not believe his warning, and consequently they perished with the city.
The urgency to leave: The command to “bring them out of this place” underscores the immediacy of the coming destruction. The urgency of the instruction emphasizes the need for Lot and his family to flee quickly, taking all that they could, to avoid the consequences of God’s judgment.
The lesson of obedience: This passage teaches the importance of obeying God’s commands fully and without delay. Lot was instructed to bring out every family member; partial obedience would not have been acceptable. The failure of the sons‑in‑law to heed the warning illustrates the tragic result of disobedience.
Genesis 19:12 therefore highlights God’s mercy, His concern for the righteous, the urgency of impending judgment, and the critical importance of wholehearted obedience. It reminds believers of God’s desire to rescue His people and calls them to follow His directives completely and promptly.
