What can we learn about God's justice from Genesis 18:20? “Then the LORD said, ‘The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and their sin is very grievous.’” God’s Justice Takes Sin Seriously • “Their sin is very grievous”—no softening, no minimizing. • Deuteronomy 32:4 affirms, “The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are just.” • Justice begins with an uncompromising evaluation of evil. Justice Responds to the Cries of the Oppressed • “The outcry…is great.” God hears the cumulative scream of victims (Exodus 3:7). • He will not ignore systemic or entrenched wickedness (James 5:4). Perfect Knowledge, Perfect Verdict • Before acting, the LORD says He will “go down and see” (Genesis 18:21), underscoring thorough investigation. • Psalm 139:1–4 shows nothing escapes His sight—judgment never rests on partial evidence. Justice Coupled with Mercy and Patience • Abraham’s intercession (Genesis 18:23–33) demonstrates God’s openness to spare for the sake of the righteous. • Ezekiel 33:11—He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but desires repentance. • Romans 2:4 highlights His patience meant to lead to repentance, not license for sin. Justice as a Moral Warning to Future Generations • 2 Peter 2:6 records Sodom and Gomorrah as an example “of what is coming on the ungodly.” • God’s decisive action becomes a deterrent, revealing His unchanging standards (Malachi 3:6). Applications for Today • Treat sin with gravity; excuses dilute reverence for God’s holiness. • Lift the cries of the oppressed in prayer and action, knowing God hears and responds. • Trust God’s timing—He investigates fully and judges righteously. • Embrace repentance quickly; His patience is a gift, not a loophole. • Live as a visible testimony that God’s justice is real, certain, and ultimately redemptive. |
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