Sodom: An Overview

Sodom, an ancient city located in the region of the Jordan Valley, is most famously known for its destruction as a divine judgment due to its grievous sins. The account of Sodom serves as a profound example of God's judgment upon a nation that had turned away from righteousness and embraced wickedness.

Biblical Account

The narrative of Sodom is primarily found in the Book of Genesis. Sodom, along with Gomorrah and other cities of the plain, was situated in a fertile area, described as "well-watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD" (Genesis 13:10). Despite its advantageous location, Sodom became synonymous with moral depravity and sin.

The Sin of Sodom

The sins of Sodom were manifold, characterized by extreme wickedness and a blatant disregard for God's laws. Genesis 13:13 states, "But the men of Sodom were wicked, sinning greatly against the LORD." The city's iniquity was so severe that it cried out to God, prompting divine intervention.

The prophet Ezekiel later elaborates on the nature of Sodom's sins, highlighting pride, gluttony, and neglect of the poor and needy: "Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food, and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy" (Ezekiel 16:49).

Divine Judgment

God's judgment upon Sodom is a pivotal event in biblical history, demonstrating His intolerance for sin and His righteousness in executing justice. In Genesis 18, the LORD reveals to Abraham His intention to investigate the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham intercedes, pleading for the city if righteous individuals can be found within it. However, the lack of even ten righteous people seals the city's fate.

In Genesis 19, two angels visit Sodom and are met with hostility and attempted violence by the men of the city. This act further confirms the city's depravity. The angels warn Lot, Abraham's nephew, to flee with his family, as the LORD is about to destroy the city. As Lot and his family escape, the LORD rains down sulfur and fire from heaven, obliterating Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25).

Lessons from Sodom's Judgment

The destruction of Sodom serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the certainty of divine judgment. It underscores the importance of righteousness and the need for repentance. The New Testament reiterates this lesson, using Sodom as a warning for future generations. In 2 Peter 2:6 , it is written, "He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes as an example of what is coming on the ungodly."

Sodom in Later Biblical References

Sodom's legacy as a symbol of divine judgment and moral corruption persists throughout Scripture. Jesus Himself references Sodom in the Gospels, warning that the fate of unrepentant cities would be worse than that of Sodom (Matthew 11:23-24). The apostle Jude also cites Sodom as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire due to sexual immorality and perversion (Jude 1:7).

The account of Sodom remains a powerful testament to God's holiness and justice, serving as a cautionary tale for nations and individuals alike.Genesis 19:24
Then the LORD rained on Sodom and on Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

'Because of his Importunity'
... And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to ... the earth' not only preserving cities
and nations from further ... God holds back His judgments so long as hope of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/because of his importunity.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... particularly on the Jews, the other nations did not ... metaphors are used to prefigure
the judgments which will ... intelligent reader to his own reflections upon them ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

The First Great Deception.
... of Babylon, of which she makes all nations drink.(939 ... for the good of those upon
whom His judgments are visited. ... from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne ...
/.../33 the first great deception.htm

The First Great Deception
... of Babylon, of which she makes all nations drink. ... even for the good of those upon
whom His judgments are visited ... from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 33 the first great.htm

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... which was inferred from the history of Abel, is exemplified in a ... two-edged sword
be in their hand, to execute vengeance upon the nations, punishments upon ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

The Seventh Book
... says: "He is righteous and his judgments are upright ... at my words in what barbarian
nations such things ... Who would doubt that the Vandals, upon entering such a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/salvian/on the government of god/the seventh book.htm

The Letter of the Church of Rome
... be sheltered by his mercy from the judgments to come ... You see into the depths: [143]
you look upon men's deeds ... You multiply the nations on the earth, and from out ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of the church.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... "What," said the DD, with some appearance of incredulity, "Bunyan a commentator"
upon Genesis!! Impossible! ... And darkness was upon the face of the deep (v 2). ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... have chosen the way of truth; thy judgments have I ... Covenant with Abraham as the father
of many nations. ... visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Footnotes
... See likewise Faithful Witness-bearing Exemplified, preface, p. iv ... "Upon the desire
of the Guinea Merchants (20th Sept ... about and over the lake of Sodom," or Dead ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/footnotes.htm

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