In the previous chapter we hear the banter of God with Abraham and Sarah where sounds are exchanged in the environment of relationships that are being built. Here, conversations are broken down. The exchange of sounds is not building up relationships. Most of the sounds are insistent, disengaged, violent; wishing to overpower.
- Lot insists the two men stay with him
- The men of the city call out to have sex with the two.
- Lot offers his daughters as a bargain.
- His sons-in-law refuse to leave with the rest.
- Lot refuses to hide in the mountains.
- Lot’s wife looks back when she was told not to.
- Lot’s daughters have sex with him to retrieve some semblance of normality.
…as is the custom over all the earth.
From a sound point of view it is chaos. It seems that the sounds don’t reach anywhere with any meaning. Through the narrative we hear the sheer lack of listening. The absence of engagement. Narratives like this carry a warning. Listen, engage or it will end badly.