But he hesitated. So the men grasped his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, because the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out and put him outside the city.
Genesis 19:16 (NASB)
Lot hesitates after the angels urge him to gather his family and flee the pending destruction of the cities.
Why?
There are many possibilities, but Genesis does not tell us.
Here are some of the suggestions offered by the rabbis in the Jewish commentaries:
– He was paralyzed with fear
– He wanted to grab more stuff from his house
– He didn’t really want to leave
– He didn’t really believe the angels
But the Minchat Shai says something far more interesting.
“If he tarries, wait for him.” (Habakkuk 2:3)
Minchat Shai on Genesis 19:16:1
Rather than focusing on Lot’s motives, it suggests that the teaching is found in the words used, tying “hesitated” to “compassion” and mercy. Mercy is tied to waiting.
But he hesitated. So the men grasped his hand and the hand of his wife and the hands of his two daughters, because the compassion of the Lord was upon him; and they brought him out and put him outside the city.
Genesis 19:16 (NASB)For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
It hurries toward the goal and it will not fail.
Though it delays, wait for it;
For it will certainly come, it will not delay long.
Habakkuk 2:3 (NASB)
The focus is about God’s decision to wait for Lot, pushing him as necessary, and not on Lot’s hesitation.