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Commentary on Genesis 19 verses 30–38
Here is, I. The great trouble and distress that Lot was brought into after his deliverance, Gen 19:30. 1. He was frightened out of Zoar, durst not dwell there; probably because he was conscious to himself that it was a refuge of his own choosing and that herein he had foolishly prescribed to God, and therefore he could not but distrust his safety in it; or because he found it as wicked as Sodom, and therefore concluded it could not long survive it; or perhaps he observed the rise and increase of those waters which after the conflagration, perhaps from Jordan, began to overflow the plain, and which, mixing with the ruins, by degrees made the Dead Sea; in those waters he concluded Zoar must needs perish (though it had escaped the fire) because it stood upon the same flat. Note, Settlements and shelters of our own choosing, and in which we do not follow God, commonly prove uneasy to us. 2. He was forced to betake himself to the mountain, and to take up with a cave for his habitation there. Methinks it was strange that he did not return to Abraham, and put himself under his protection, to whom he had once and again owed his safety: but the truth is there are some good men that are not wise enough to know what is best for themselves. Observe, (1.) He was now glad to go to the mountain, the place which God had appointed for his shelter. Note, It is well if disappointment in our way drive us at last to God's way. (2.) He that, awhile ago, could not find room enough for himself and his stock in the whole land, but must jostle with Abraham, and get as far from him as he could, is now confined to a hole in a hill, where he has scarcely room to turn himself, and there he is solitary and trembling. Note, It is just with God to reduce those to poverty and restraint who have abused their liberty and plenty. See also in Lot what those bring themselves to, at last, that forsake the communion of saints for secular advantages; they will be beaten with their own rod.
II. The great sin that Lot and his daughters were guilty of, when they were in this desolate place. It is a sad story.
1.His daughters laid a very wicked plot to bring him to sin; and theirs was, doubtless, the greater guilt. They contrived, under pretence of cheering up the spirits of their father in his present condition, to make him drunk, and then to lie with him, Gen 19:31, Gen 19:32. (1.) Some think that their pretence was plausible. Their father had no sons, they had no husbands, nor knew they were to have any of the holy seed, or, if they had children by others, their father's name would not be preserved in them. Some think that they had the Messiah in their eye, who, they hoped, might descend form their father; for he came from Terah's elder son, who separated from the rest of Shem's posterity as well as Abraham, and was now signally delivered out of Sodom. Their mother, and the rest of the family, were gone; they might not marry with the cursed Canaanites; and therefore they supposed that the end they aimed at and the extremity they were brought to, would excuse the irregularity. Thus the learned Monsieur Allix. Note, Good intentions are often abused to patronize bad actions. But, (2.) Whatever their pretence was, it is certain that their project was very wicked and vile, and an impudent affront to the very light and law of nature. Note, [1.] The sight of God's most tremendous judgments upon sinners will not of itself, without the grace of God, restrain evil hearts from evil practices: one would wonder how the fire of lust could possibly kindle upon those, who had so lately been the eye-witnesses of Sodom's flames. [2.] Solitude has its temptations as well as company, and particularly to uncleanness. When Joseph was alone with his mistress he was in danger, Gen 39:11. Relations that dwell together, especially if solitary, have need carefully to watch even against the least evil thought of this kind, lest Satan get an advantage.
2.Lot himself, by his own folly and unwariness, was wretchedly overcome, and suffered himself so far to be imposed upon by his own children as, two nights together, to be drunk, and to commit incest, Gen 19:33, etc. Lord, what is man! What are the best of men, when God leaves them to themselves! See here, (1.) The peril of security. Lot, who not only kept himself sober and chaste in Sodom, but was a constant mourner for the wickedness of the place and a witness against it, was yet, in the mountain, where he was alone, and as he thought quite out of the way of temptation, shamefully overtaken. Let him therefore that thinks he stands, stands high and stands firm, take heed lest he fall. No mountain, on this side the holy hill above, can set us out of the reach of Satan's fiery darts. (2.) The peril of drunkenness. It is not only a great sin itself, but it is the inlet of many sins; it may prove the inlet of the worst and mast unnatural sins, which may b a perpetual wound and dishonour. Excellently does Mr. Herbert describe it,
He that is drunken may his mother kill
Big with his sister -
A man may do that without reluctance, when he is drunk, which, when he is sober, he could not think of without horror. (3.) The peril of temptation from our dearest relations and friends, whom we love, and esteem, and expect kindness from. Lot, whose temperance and chastity were impregnable against the batteries of foreign force, was surprised into sin and shame by the base treachery of his own daughters: we must dread a snare wherever we are, and be always upon our guard.
3.In the close we have an account of the birth of the two sons, or grandsons (call them which you will), of Lot, Moab and Ammon, the fathers of two nations, neighbours to Israel, and which we often read of in the Old Testament; both together are called the children of Lot, Psa 83:8. Note, Though prosperous births may attend incestuous conceptions, yet they are so far from justifying them that they rather perpetuate the reproach of them and entail infamy upon posterity; yet the tribe of Judah, of which our Lord sprang, descended from such a birth, and Ruth, a Moabitess, has a name in his genealogy, Mat 1:3, Mat 1:5.
Lastly, Observe that, after this, we never read any more of Lot, nor what became of him: no doubt he repented of his sin, and was pardoned; but from the silence of the scripture concerning him henceforward we may learn that drunkenness, as it makes men forgetful, so it makes them forgotten; and many a name, which otherwise might have been remembered with respect, is buried by it in contempt and oblivion.
After these things now that well-known story is related in which it is written that Lot’s daughters cunningly lay with their father by stealth. In this matter I do not know if anyone can so excuse Lot as to free him from sin. Nor again do I think he should be so accused that he ought to become party to such serious incest. For I do not find him to have plotted against or to have violently snatched away the chastity of his daughters but rather to have been the victim of a plot and cunningly ensnared. But neither would he have been ensnared by the girls unless he could have been inebriated. Thus he seems to me to be found partly culpable and partly excusable. For indeed he can be excused because he is free of the offense of concupiscence and pleasure, and because he is shown neither to have wished nor to have consented to those wishing. But he is at fault because he could be trapped, because he indulged in wine too much, and this not once, but he did it a second time.For instance, even Scripture seems to me to make excuse for him in a certain manner when it says, “For he did not know when he slept with them and when he arose.” This is not said of the daughters, who intentionally and cunningly deceive their father. He, however, was so senseless from wine that he did not know that he lay with his older daughter or with the younger.
Hear what drunkenness does. Hear what an outrage intoxication produces. Hear and beware, you who do not hold that evil to be a fault but practice it. Drunkenness deceives him whom Sodom did not deceive. He whom the sulphurous flame did not burn is burned by the flames of women.
(Verse 35.) And he did not know when she slept with him, and when he got up from her, they stabbed him from above, as if unbelievable, and something that nature cannot comprehend, to have intercourse with someone who is unaware.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 19:35 continues the somber narrative of Lot and his daughters following the catastrophic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, detailing the younger daughter's calculated act of incest with her father. Mirroring the previous night's events, the daughters again intoxicate Lot, enabling the younger sister to lie with him, with the text explicitly stating Lot's complete lack of awareness during the entire encounter, underscoring the daughters' desperate and morally compromised resolve to perpetuate their family line.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Genesis 19:35 is the culmination of a deeply disturbing sequence of events initiated immediately after Lot and his two daughters escape the fiery judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. Having witnessed the demise of their mother, who became a pillar of salt for looking back (Genesis 19:26), they retreat to a cave, believing themselves to be the sole survivors of humanity. The elder daughter, driven by a desperate desire to preserve their family line, proposes a plan to her younger sister to intoxicate their father and lie with him (Genesis 19:31-32). Genesis 19:34 recounts the elder daughter's success on the first night, setting up verse 35 as a direct parallel, emphasizing the younger daughter's identical action and the methodical, repeated nature of their scheme. This repetition highlights the daughters' unwavering commitment to their grim purpose.
Historical & Cultural Context: The narrative is set against the backdrop of ancient Near Eastern patriarchal societies where the continuation of the family line was of paramount importance, often seen as a sacred duty and a source of security and identity. Childlessness was considered a great shame or curse. In their perceived post-apocalyptic isolation, Lot's daughters genuinely believed they were the last hope for human progeny, a belief that, while mistaken, drove their desperate actions. The use of wine to incapacitate Lot reflects a common ancient practice of using alcohol to lower inhibitions or render someone unconscious, though here it is employed for a sinister purpose. The cave setting further emphasizes their isolation and the extreme circumstances that led to their moral compromise, far removed from any societal norms or accountability.
Key Themes: This passage powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It starkly illustrates the depravity of humanity and the extent to which moral boundaries can be transgressed under extreme duress, even by those who have experienced divine deliverance. The narrative also underscores the dangers of intoxication, showing how excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a complete loss of awareness and judgment, facilitating profound sin, as seen in Lot's unwitting participation. Furthermore, it highlights the consequences of sin, as these incestuous acts directly lead to the birth of Moab and Ben-Ammi (Genesis 19:37-38), progenitors of nations that would become long-standing adversaries to Israel. Finally, the unflinching realism of the biblical text in recording such a disturbing event emphasizes the Bible's commitment to revealing human failure and the pervasive need for divine grace and redemption, a theme woven throughout the book of Genesis.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 19:35 provides a chilling account: "And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose." This verse is a direct echo of the events of the previous night, reinforcing the deliberate and systematic nature of the daughters' plan. The phrase "that night also" confirms the continuation of their scheme, highlighting their unwavering commitment to their perceived duty of preserving their lineage. The younger daughter, following her sister's lead, actively initiates the sexual act with her incapacitated father.
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several significant literary devices. Repetition is prominent, with the entire sequence of the daughters intoxicating Lot and lying with him being repeated from Genesis 19:34. This repetition underscores the methodical and determined nature of the daughters' plan, highlighting their unwavering commitment to their perceived duty. The phrase "he perceived not" is also repeated, emphasizing Lot's complete lack of awareness due to his intoxication, which serves as a crucial element in assessing culpability. There is also a strong sense of Irony in the narrative. Lot, who was spared from Sodom's judgment because of his "righteousness" (2 Peter 2:7-8), falls into such a profound state of moral degradation. The act of "lying with" is a euphemism for sexual intercourse, a common biblical device to refer to sensitive topics without explicit detail. Finally, the narrative serves as foreshadowing, as the incestuous acts directly lead to the birth of the Moabites and Ammonites (Genesis 19:37-38), future adversaries of Israel, illustrating the long-term, negative consequences of sin.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This dark episode in Lot's life serves as a stark biblical testament to the pervasive nature of human sin and moral compromise, even among those who have experienced divine deliverance. It unflinchingly reveals how desperation, coupled with a profound lack of moral compass and the compromising effects of intoxication, can lead to grievous acts that violate fundamental familial and societal norms. The narrative underscores the biblical truth that sin, even when born from perceived necessity, carries severe consequences, not only for the individuals involved but also for future generations and entire nations, as seen in the subsequent history of the Moabites and Ammonites. It is a sobering reminder of humanity's inherent fallenness and constant need for divine grace and moral guidance.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Lot and his daughters in Genesis 19:35, while challenging, offers profound lessons for contemporary reflection and application. It serves as a powerful cautionary tale against the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, illustrating how intoxication can strip individuals of their judgment, awareness, and moral inhibitions, rendering them vulnerable to grievous sin and exploitation. This narrative also highlights the pervasive reality of human fallibility; even individuals like Lot, described as "righteous" by the New Testament, can succumb to profound moral failure when under extreme duress or when personal weaknesses, such as drunkenness, are indulged. Furthermore, the passage underscores how desperate actions, even those stemming from a perceived noble intention (like preserving a lineage), can lead to morally reprehensible outcomes with far-reaching, negative consequences that extend across generations. It compels us to recognize our constant need for God's grace, His clear moral standards, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to guide our choices, especially in times of crisis or perceived desperation.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the daughters resort to such an extreme act?
Answer: The daughters believed they were the sole survivors of humanity after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and had no prospect of finding husbands to continue their family line. In their culture, continuing the family lineage was an absolute imperative, and they saw this desperate, albeit morally reprehensible, act as the only means to ensure progeny and avoid extinction.
Was Lot culpable for the incest?
Answer: The text repeatedly emphasizes that Lot "perceived not" when his daughters lay with him, due to his extreme intoxication. This detail significantly mitigates his conscious culpability for the sexual acts themselves, as he was not a willing or aware participant. However, his culpability lies in his excessive drunkenness, which rendered him utterly vulnerable and allowed such grievous acts to occur. The Bible does not condone his state or the daughters' actions, presenting the entire episode as a tragic moral failure.
What became of the descendants of these acts?
Answer: From the elder daughter's son, Moab, came the Moabites, and from the younger daughter's son, Ben-Ammi, came the Ammonites (Genesis 19:37-38). Both of these nations would later become significant and often hostile adversaries to Israel throughout its history, illustrating the long-term, negative consequences that can stem from foundational sins.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Genesis 19:35 plunges us into a dark chapter of human depravity and desperation, it implicitly yet powerfully points to the profound necessity of a divine Savior. The moral collapse of Lot and his daughters, leading to the birth of nations that would stand in opposition to God's chosen people, vividly underscores humanity's inherent brokenness, its inability to save itself, and its utter failure to establish a righteous lineage apart from God's intervention. In stark contrast to the moral compromise and sin witnessed in this passage, the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ shines forth, offering the only true path to redemption, restoration, and a lineage rooted in grace, not human desperation. Furthermore, the remarkable inclusion of Ruth, a Moabitess, in the very genealogy of Jesus, alongside other unexpected figures like Rahab (Matthew 1:5), serves as a profound testament to God's sovereign grace and redemptive power. It demonstrates that even from the most compromised and sinful origins, God can work His purposes, transcend human failure, and ultimately bring forth His plan of salvation, culminating in the ultimate sacrifice of His Son, who came to redeem all nations and all people, regardless of their past.