This verse from Genesis 19:11 describes the divine intervention that prevents the men of Sodom from entering Lot's house and harming his guests (who are actually angels in disguise). Let's break down what it means:
"They struck the men who were at the door of the house with blindness": The "they" refers to the angels who were with Lot. They used their divine power to inflict blindness upon the mob that had gathered outside Lot's door, demanding that he bring out his guests. This blindness wasn't a gradual loss of sight but a sudden infliction.
"both small and great": This emphasizes that the blindness affected everyone in the crowd, regardless of their age or social standing. It underscores the universality of the judgment on Sodom.
"so that they wearied themselves to find the door": This is a key element. The blindness didn't just leave them unable to see. It caused disorientation and confusion. They were so desperate to get inside that they exhausted themselves, flailing around and struggling to find the entrance they had been at moments before. This highlights the futility of their evil intentions against the power of God. It is also ironic, as they sought entrance for evil purposes but were denied entrance even for their own safety and orientation.
In summary:
The verse depicts a supernatural act of divine protection and judgment. The angels, acting on God's behalf, inflict blindness on the men of Sodom, preventing them from carrying out their wicked plans against Lot's guests. The detail of them "wearying themselves to find the door" emphasizes both the disorientation caused by the blindness and the futility of their evil intentions in the face of divine power. This reinforces the themes of judgment against wickedness and the protection of the righteous.
This verse from Genesis 19:11 describes the divine intervention that prevents the men of Sodom from entering Lot's house and harming his guests (who are actually angels in disguise). Let's break down what it means:
"They struck the men who were at the door of the house with blindness": The "they" refers to the angels who were with Lot. They used their divine power to inflict blindness upon the mob that had gathered outside Lot's door, demanding that he bring out his guests. This blindness wasn't a gradual loss of sight but a sudden infliction.
"both small and great": This emphasizes that the blindness affected everyone in the crowd, regardless of their age or social standing. It underscores the universality of the judgment on Sodom.
"so that they wearied themselves to find the door": This is a key element. The blindness didn't just leave them unable to see. It caused disorientation and confusion. They were so desperate to get inside that they exhausted themselves, flailing around and struggling to find the entrance they had been at moments before. This highlights the futility of their evil intentions against the power of God. It is also ironic, as they sought entrance for evil purposes but were denied entrance even for their own safety and orientation.
In summary:
The verse depicts a supernatural act of divine protection and judgment. The angels, acting on God's behalf, inflict blindness on the men of Sodom, preventing them from carrying out their wicked plans against Lot's guests. The detail of them "wearying themselves to find the door" emphasizes both the disorientation caused by the blindness and the futility of their evil intentions in the face of divine power. This reinforces the themes of judgment against wickedness and the protection of the righteous.