Lot went out to them, and shut the door after him, and said:
וַיֵּצֵ֧א אֲלֵהֶ֛ם ל֖וֹט הַפֶּ֑תְחָה וְהַדֶּ֖לֶת סָגַ֥ר אַחֲרָֽיו׃
4 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Let us examine the remarkable virtue of the righteous individual: ‘went out, it is said, to them, and shut the door behind him.’ Observe the righteous man's apprehension and trepidation regarding the safety of the visitors. He did not close the door without purpose; rather, he was aware of the brutality and arrogance of the people of Sodom and was wary of their wicked intentions.
Those who pursue glory, having embraced every form of indulgence in their hearts and whose eyes are clouded with immorality and relentless sin, lament the plight of the fallen creation. They profess, “We are not alone in experiencing such desires; many share in this, not just the unworthy but even those of high standing.” They believe this offers them justification. Yet, we hold reverence for Him who evaluates each individual according to their deeds. For upon our departure from this life, we shall face judgment for all our actions. Our days are fleeting like the shadow at noon. Thus, let us remember the lives of the saints and navigate our course toward it, so that upon reaching the tranquil harbor, we may dwell in a timeless joy.
These are merely the utterances of individuals with corrupted minds and a shallow understanding of faith, and their time is rapidly waning. Let us heed the words of Holy Scripture, which states, “Shall I hide from Abraham My friend what I am about to do? The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin is so grievous.” Then the Lord departed, having spoken with Abraham. Two angels arrived in Sodom that evening, and Lot welcomed them. However, the men of Sodom, from young to old, surrounded the house and called out to Lot, asking, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we may know them.” Despite the multitude of Sodomites confronting him, the righteous Lot did not yield nor surrender his guests to their wicked intentions. Though they threatened him like angry dogs, he resolutely chose to risk his life rather than become complicit in their wrongdoing. Clad in the armor of faith, he stood as a defender of righteousness.
Saint Lot proposed to safeguard the dignity of his daughters—though this act was deeply shameful, it is still considered a lesser transgression when compared to actions that defy natural order. He prioritized the virtue of hospitality, which remains sacred even among the most uncivilized peoples. Even in situations where familial bonds may be fragile, the principle of hospitality holds firm.
In contemplating the situation, with a measure of compassion for the strangers, a desire to show grace to the sinners, and above all, a commitment to uphold God's glory (for those who offend and disrupt the natural order established by the Creator bring dishonor to Him), the righteous man decided to offer his cherished daughters. Yet, the men of Sodom, incensed not by natural desires but by unnatural lust, demanded not Lot's daughters but rather the men who had come to engage in their wickedness. They began to assault the doors of Lot's dwelling, intent not only on humiliating the guests but also on taking Lot’s life.
At that moment, the holy angels, who were veiled in human guise, struck all those brazen men with blindness, preventing them from locating not only the doors of Lot's home but their own residences as well (Genesis 19:11). Thus, the angels of God spared the strangers from peril for their kindness. Witnessing this incredible act, Lot understood that these visitors were no ordinary beings, but rather holy servants of God. He began to show them even greater honor, filled with reverence and gratitude, as they had rescued him and his daughters from the hands of violent, lawless men.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS