Now, it strikes me, that we have in the circumstance presented to us in the opening of chapter xix. the full evidence of Lot's fallen condition. The Lord Himself does not appear at all. He remains at a distance from the unholy place, and merely sends _His angels_ to execute His commission upon the devoted city of Sodom. The angels, too, exhibit all the symptoms of distance and strangership--they refuse to go into Lot's house when invited, saying, "_Nay, but we will abide in the street all night_." True, they subsequently enter into his house; but, if they do so, it is not so much to enjoy refreshment as to counteract the sad effects of Lot's wrong circumstances. How different was the scene at Lot's house from that which they had so lately witnessed at the tent of the stranger of Mamre! The tumult of the men of Sodom--to whom, notwithstanding all their ungodly deeds and ungodly speeches, Lot applies the title of "_brethren_"--the evident embarrassment of Lot at being discovered in such painful circumstances--the shocking proposal which he is constrained to make in order to screen his guests from the violence of the ungodly men of Sodom--the struggle at the door, and Lot's danger--all these things must have shocked the heavenly strangers, and stood in marked contrast with the holy peace and retirement of Abraham's tent, together with his own calm and dignified demeanor throughout the scene. Well might those angels have been astonished to find "a righteous soul" in such a place, when he could have enjoyed, in company with his separated brother, the peaceful and holy joys of his steady and consistent course.