Why did Lot try to get the two angels into his house before the men of Sodom saw them?
Lot knew what was going to happen once Sodom’s citizens discovered two strange men in town. He therefore urged the visitors to enter his house and tarry overnight, hoping to get them inside before the men of Sodom found out. The angels initially declined, saying they would abide in the street all night.
Les explains that in Genesis 19 two angels came to Sodom at evening, while Genesis 18 records three men—one the LORD in human form and the other two angels. Outwardly, Sodom and Gomorrah’s people saw them only as men and had no idea they were angels. Lot also saw them as men, calling them 'my lords.' He invited them into his servant’s house to tarry all night, wash their feet, and leave early. Les tells his audience to put themselves in Lot’s shoes, because Lot knew what was going to happen and hoped to get them inside before Sodom’s citizens found out two strange men were in town. The angels, knowing why they were there, said they would abide in the street all night. Les teaches this chapter is God putting Sodom and Gomorrah on trial, sending the two angels so the Sodomites could prove themselves worthy of sudden destruction—and they proved it.