What does Genesis 19:4 reveal about the moral state of Sodom's men? \Setting the Scene\ • Genesis 19 opens with two angels arriving in Sodom; Lot welcomes them and prepares a meal (Genesis 19:1–3). • Verse 4 drops us into the moment “before they had gone to bed” when the true character of the city is exposed. \The Exact Words\ “But before they had gone to bed, all the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, surrounded the house.” (Genesis 19:4) \Key Observations from the Verse\ • “All the men of the city” – the corruption is universal, not a fringe group. • “Both young and old” – every age bracket is involved, showing generational rot. • “Surrounded the house” – a coordinated, brazen act, indicating bold, public sin. \What This Reveals about Their Moral State\ • Total moral collapse – No righteous counter-voice appears among the men. • Normalization of wickedness – Sin is not secretive; it’s practiced openly and collectively. • Aggressive intent – The physical act of surrounding Lot’s home signals intimidation and violence. • Conscience seared – Their boldness shows no fear of God, echoing Romans 1:32, where people “approve of those who practice” evil. \Consistency with Earlier Warnings\ • Genesis 13:13 already noted Sodom’s reputation: “wicked, great sinners against the LORD.” • Genesis 18:20 records God saying, “their sin is very grievous.” • Genesis 19:5 immediately clarifies the nature of the intended sin—sexual assault—underscoring the depth of depravity. \New Testament Confirmation\ • 2 Peter 2:6-7 highlights their “depraved conduct.” • Jude 1:7 links Sodom with “sexual immorality and perversion,” confirming the Old Testament account. \A Broader Picture of Their Sins\ • Ezekiel 16:49 lists arrogance, gluttony, and neglect of the needy—Sodom’s evil was multifaceted. • Genesis 19:4 shows the moral tipping point: sexual violence embraced by the entire male populace. \Takeaways for Today\ • Sin spreads when unchecked; even the young imitate the old. • A society can reach a place where evil is celebrated in public. • God’s assessment of Sodom (Genesis 18:20) is proven accurate by the men’s own actions in 19:4. \Summary\ Genesis 19:4 provides a snapshot of Sodom’s complete moral ruin: every man, across generations, brazenly unites in intended sexual violence. The verse confirms prior warnings about the city’s wickedness and stands as a sobering example of what happens when a culture rejects God’s standards wholesale. |
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