“Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.”
In this verse, we find Lot, the nephew of Abraham, who had been residing in the city of Sodom. The previous verses describe the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah due to their great wickedness. However, God had shown mercy to Lot and his family by sending two angels to rescue them from the destruction.
In Genesis 19:17, the angels urged Lot and his family to escape from the city and flee to the mountains for safety.
However, Lot pleaded with them, fearing that the journey would be too difficult. Instead, he requested to flee to a nearby city called Zoar.
This is where Genesis 19:22 comes into play. The verse begins with the angel speaking to Lot, saying, “Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither.” The angel assures Lot that he will not bring about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah until Lot reaches the safety of Zoar.
This emphasizes God’s mercy and patience, giving Lot and his family time to escape the impending judgment.
The second part of the verse explains the significance of the name of the city Zoar. It states, “Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.” The name “Zoar” means “small” or “insignificant.” It suggests that the city received its name because it was a small and insignificant place compared to the great cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. God allowed Lot to find refuge in this lesser‑known city as a testament to His grace and deliverance.
This verse highlights God’s willingness to spare the righteous and provide an escape from His judgment. It also demonstrates His patience in waiting for Lot to reach Zoar before executing His judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah.
It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and His commitment to protect and deliver those who trust in Him.
Overall, Genesis 19:22 teaches us the importance of heeding God’s warnings and seeking His guidance. It encourages us to trust in God’s provision and to be aware of the consequences of our choices, as seen in the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.
