Genesis 13:13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly. We here behold the wickedness of man in strange conjunction (ver 10) and contrast with the beauty of nature. I. HUMAN DEPRAVITY AS DISCOVERED BY THE LIGHT OF NATURE. 1. The wealth of nature, and the poverty of man. 2. The cleanliness of nature, and the filthiness of man. 3. The order of nature, and the lawlessness of man. 4. The generosity of nature contrasted with the selfishness of man. 5. The joy of nature contrasted with the misery of man. II. THE INABILITY OF NATURE TO RESTORE MAN TO PIETY AND HAPPINESS. Consider — 1. Those nations which dwell amid specially fair or splendid scenery. We have a striking illustration of the moral inefficiency of natural scenery in the text. The land is "as the garden of the Lord." But the people? South speaks of sinners: "Who first turn grace, and then nature itself, out of doors." This is descriptive of the inhabitants of this beautiful land. Again, we have an example in the Canaanites. And have we not examples in modern times of the inefficacy of nature to exalt man? The magnificent South Sea Islands and their inhabitants. Everywhere the glory of nature is stained with the scarlet of human sin, and nature can do nothing to purge that stain away. Or, consider — 2. Those individuals who live in special communion with mature. The sailor, the shepherd, the peasant — are these remarkable for refinement of taste or morals? We think not. But it may be said that these are only door keepers of the Palace Beautiful; well then, what of the High Priests, who draw near the inmost shrines of nature? The poet, the painter, the philosopher — what of these? Are these exceptionally good? We think the common verdict would be against them. No. The great and glorious globe is impotent to regenerate. It charms the eye, feasts the imagination, but it has no power to reach the deep places of our nature and fill us with purity and strength. Nature may make a good man better, but it cannot make a bad man good. III. THE NEED AND PRECIOUSNESS OF THE GOSPEL. The lovers of nature remain corrupt and workers of iniquity, but the gospel changes the hearts and lives of those who accept it. 1. There is a lesson here for those who wish to substitute science for the Scriptures. Science, we are told, is to refine, moralize, spiritualize the people. Much of this is delusive. Scientific and philosophic knowledge has no power of itself to create right and truly religious feeling. 2. Another lesson is here for those who wish to open museums and picture galleries on Sunday. Contemplating marbles and pictures, do men gain the whiteness of the one or the beauty of the other? Let the moral statistics of Paris and Rome answer. 3. A final lesson is here for those who seek to substitute the temple of nature for the temple of grace. (W. L. Watkinson.) Parallel Verses KJV: But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.WEB: Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against Yahweh. |
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