Topical Bible: Holy Spirit: People of Sodom

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The account of the people of Sodom is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, chapters 18 and 19. Sodom, along with Gomorrah, is often cited as an example of divine judgment due to its inhabitants' grievous sins. The narrative of Sodom is significant in understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in convicting the world of sin and righteousness.

Biblical Account

The city of Sodom is first mentioned in Genesis 13:10, where it is described as a fertile land, "like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt." However, its moral state was in stark contrast to its physical beauty. Genesis 13:13 states, "Now the men of Sodom were wicked, sinning greatly against the LORD."

In Genesis 18, the LORD appears to Abraham and reveals His plan to investigate the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham intercedes for the cities, and the LORD agrees to spare them if ten righteous people can be found (Genesis 18:32). This intercession highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in prompting believers to pray for the lost and intercede for divine mercy.

Genesis 19 details the arrival of two angels in Sodom, who are met by Lot, Abraham's nephew. Lot's hospitality contrasts with the depravity of the city's men, who demand to have relations with the visitors (Genesis 19:4-5). This incident underscores the depth of Sodom's sinfulness and the rejection of God's moral order.

Divine Judgment and Mercy

The Holy Spirit's role in the narrative is implicit in the divine judgment that follows. The angels warn Lot of the impending destruction and urge him to flee with his family. Despite the warning, Lot's sons-in-law dismiss the message as a jest (Genesis 19:14), illustrating the hardness of heart that resists the Spirit's conviction.

As dawn breaks, the angels hasten Lot, his wife, and daughters out of the city, saying, "Flee for your lives! Do not look back or stop anywhere in the plain. Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!" (Genesis 19:17). The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah by "sulfur and fire from the LORD out of the heavens" (Genesis 19:24) serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of unrepentant sin.

New Testament References

The New Testament frequently references Sodom as a symbol of ultimate judgment. Jesus Himself warns of the greater accountability of those who reject His message, stating, "Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town" (Matthew 10:15). This comparison emphasizes the gravity of rejecting the Holy Spirit's testimony about Christ.

In 2 Peter 2:6-8, the apostle Peter recounts the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as an example of God's judgment on the ungodly, while also highlighting Lot's righteousness. The Holy Spirit's work in preserving Lot amidst a corrupt society is evident, as he is described as "a righteous man who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless" (2 Peter 2:7).

Theological Implications

The narrative of Sodom underscores the Holy Spirit's role in convicting the world of sin and the necessity of repentance. The destruction of Sodom serves as a warning of the consequences of resisting the Spirit's call to righteousness. The intercession of Abraham and the deliverance of Lot illustrate the Spirit's work in guiding believers to pray for and witness to those in spiritual peril.

The account of Sodom remains a powerful testament to the holiness of God and the seriousness with which He regards sin. It challenges believers to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength to live righteously and to intercede for those who have yet to turn from their ways.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 19:13,24,25
For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD has sent us to destroy it.
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The General Service of the Holy Fathers, in Remembrance of ...
... day praise the trumpets of the mysteries of the Spirit " the God ... Who would not bless
thee, O all-holy Virgin ... and his goods, and the women also, and the people. ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter v1 the general service.htm

Rom. xv. 14
... that leaped, and the other marvellous acts, all whereof the Holy Spirit wrought
in us. ... he did, not for his nephew only, but for the people of Sodom also, he ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxix rom xv 14.htm

Abraham's Faith
... against them, and at last carrying off captive the people of Sodom and Gomorrah ... have
as yet said nothing of Christ, nothing of the Holy Spirit, nothing of ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xii abrahams faith.htm

The Holy Ghost, Throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, Made ...
... Scripture says, "Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon ... me to-day, and let all
this people know that ... Christ, the governing power of the Holy Spirit; give to ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter vithe holy ghost throughout.htm

Christ's People --Imitators of Him
... save unto Sarepta, a city of Sodom, unto a ... to sit with the poorest of Christ's people,
and says ... sustained by fresh inspirations of the Holy Spirit, derived by ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christs peopleimitators of him.htm

The Revelation of the Old Testament in Writing.
... the promised seed, and in his intercession for Sodom. ... gradually prepared to speak
to the people, and to ... is peculiarly the work of the Holy Spirit, which, as we ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xv the revelation of the.htm

In the Holy of Holies.
... not to the earth, as the people expected, but ... plead with the guilty inhabitants of
Sodom, and all ... agencies the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit which had ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /24 in the holy of.htm

In the Holy of Holies
... not to the earth, as the people expected, but ... plead with the guilty inhabitants of
Sodom, and all ... agencies the powerful influence of the Holy Spirit which had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 24 in the holy.htm

Demonstration xxi. --Of Persecution.
... if God had given a hope to Sodom and to ... His hand upon His apostles, and they received
the Holy Spirit. ... Jesus our Redeemer was persecuted by the foolish people. ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xxi of persecution.htm

Inexcusable Irreverence and Ingratitude
... will be more tolerable for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah ... which is the greater
wonder, that the poor people who saw ... May God the Holy Spirit lead you to do so ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/inexcusable irreverence and ingratitude.htm