Genesis 19:27 - Meaning and Application

Our communion with God consists in our loving regard for him and his loving regard for us. We see that communion here in the way God and Abraham dealt with Sodom, just as we saw it earlier in God’s conversation with Abraham about the city. Communion with God must continue not only in worship services, but also in the events of life.

Here is Abraham’s godly response to God in this event, in two ways. First, he watched carefully for the outcome. He rose early and looked toward Sodom. To show that he wanted to see what came of his prayers, he went to the same place where he had stood before the Lord, and waited there like a watchman on a tower (Habakkuk 2:1). When we pray, we should then watch for the answer. We should send up our prayers like a letter and then look up for a reply, or send them like an arrow and then look to see whether they hit the mark (Psalm 5:3).

Second, he observed the result with reverence. He looked toward Sodom (Genesis 19:28), not as Lot’s wife later looked back, with a heart that clung to what was being judged, but with humble respect for God’s justice and peace with it. In the same way, the saints, when they see the smoke of Babylon’s punishment rising forever, as with Sodom here, will praise God again and again, saying, “Hallelujah” (Revelation 19:3). Those who have earnestly pleaded for sinners in the day of grace will, in the day of judgment, be content to see them judged and will glorify God even in that judgment.

Here is God’s kind regard for Abraham (Genesis 19:29). Just as before, when Abraham prayed for Ishmael, God answered him for Isaac, so now, when he prayed for Sodom, God answered him for Lot. God remembered Abraham and, because of him, brought Lot out of the destruction. This shows that God will surely answer the prayer of faith with peace, in his own way and at his own time. For a while it may seem forgotten, but in the end it will be seen to have been remembered. It also shows that the families and friends of godly people often receive blessing because of their place in God’s favor and their link to those who pray. Lot was rescued out of respect for Abraham. That truth may have encouraged Moses later to pray, “Remember Abraham” (Exodus 32:13), and see also Isaiah 63:11.