The City of Sodom Background Information On Sodom Sodom was one of 5 cities on the Dead Sea basin (also known as the Jordan Valley). It is traditionally located at the south end of the Dead Sea. Geologic evidence shows that this area has salt formations, pitch (bitumen), sulphur, and oil. Nearby, there is a mountain of almost pure salt. Although its present location is unknown, some speculate that the judgment on Sodom involved an earthquake and the water of the Dead Sea covered the city. The city was wealthy and a center of trade. Biblical References To Sodom The English Bible (KJV) has 47 references to Sodom. Almost all of these references are negative and involve judgment. Old Testament Genesis 10:19 Gives the borders of the Canaanite people which included Sodom & Gomorrah Genesis 13:10 The land had plenty of water and vegetation, like a garden (maybe a reference to the Garden of Eden) Genesis 13:12 Lot chose to live in the area of Sodom while Abraham, although still living in Canaanite land, chose not to live near Sodom. Genesis 13:13 This is the first verse that gives us a description of the spiritual condition of the citizens of Sodom. The three key words in this verse are "wicked", "sinners" and "exceedingly". Although the land was good, the people were evil. "Wicked" and "sinners" are the basic Hebrew words for sin, often of a moral nature. "Exceedingly" places stress on the degree and depth of sin and is translated "very grievous" in Gen. 18:20. Genesis 14:2, 8 Describes war for this land; apparently the land was valuable enough to fight over Genesis 14:10 At the end of the war, the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah died in "slimepits" or tarpits Genesis 14:11 Sodom was plundered, a common practice by the winners in war Genesis 14:12 The winners not only took gold, silver, animals, etc., but they also took people Genesis 14:17 Abraham rescued Lot from captivity and was met by the new king of Sodom Genesis 14:21 The king of Sodom offers Abraham payment for rescuing Lot and the other citizens of Sodom Genesis 14:22f Abraham refuses any payment/reward from the king of Sodom because he doesn't want the king of Sodom to say that he helped make Abraham wealthy. Genesis 18:16 Three angels came to Abraham and begin their journey/judgment on Sodom Genesis 18:20 Another reference to the sins of Sodom; "very grievous" is the same Hebrew word as "exceedingly" in 13:13. God's judgment came because of serious sin. The City of Sodom Biblical References To Sodom [cont.] Genesis 18:22 The angels began their journey to Sodom, and Abraham watched them go. He knew where they were going and what they were going to do (v.23-33). Genesis 18:26 God promises to spare Sodom if 50 righteous people are found in the city Genesis 19:1 One angel stayed with Abraham, two went to Sodom and arrived in the evening. Lot was sitting at the gate/entrance to the city---a place of importance and honor. Genesis 19:4ff Before the two retired for the night, many men of the city came to Lot's house and surrounded it. Verse 5 says that the men of Sodom wanted to "know" the visitors in Lot's house. The Hebrew word for "know" has several meanings in English such as get acquainted with, meet, or sexual relations. In the book of Genesis, the word almost always means sexual relations. The context of this passage shows that sexual relations are meant here and not anything else. In verse 8, Lot offers his two daughters to the men to satisfy them. If the men of Sodom just wanted to meet the visitors, then what possible purpose could Lot's daughters serve? In verse 9, the men of Sodom apparently tried to rape Lot. Genesis 19:24 Describes the judgment on Sodom---the physical structures, people, plants were all destroyed at sunrise. Brimstone is burning sulphur. Fire and brimstone came from the sky and burnt everything. Genesis 19:28 Abraham saw that the entire area had been burned. Deuteronomy 29:23 The judgment of Sodom is used to illustrate God's potential judgment on those who reject Him. Deuteronomy 32:32 Sodom is used to illustrate the sin of Israel. Isaiah 1:9 Isaiah writes that sin had almost destroyed the nation and, except for the grace of God, Israel would have been judged like Sodom. Isaiah 1:10 Because of the similarities between Israel and Sodom, Isaiah talks as if they were Sodom. Isaiah 3:9 The Jewish people made no attempt to conceal their sin, like Sodom, and have brought evil/judgment on themselves. Isaiah 13:19 A prediction that one day Babylon will be destroyed like Sodom Jeremiah 23:14 Jeremiah condemns the prophets of his time for their failure to obey God and live a pure life; this failure encouraged the people to continue in their sin. He compares these false prophets to Sodom. Jeremiah 49:18 He condemns Edom and predicts Edom will be judged like Sodom, not allowing the land to be inhabited. Jeremiah 50:40 A prediction concerning Babylon, judgment like Sodom The City of Sodom Biblical References To Sodom [cont.] Lamentations 4:6 Jeremiah saw firsthand the suffering of the Jewish people at the hands of other nations, and he states that their punishment is actually worse than the punishment of Sodom. Sodom was destroyed very quickly and apparently few people were sorry about its destruction. Ezekiel 16:46,48 Speaking to Jerusalem (representing the nation); he compares Jerusalem to Sodom and says that Jerusalem has become worse than Sodom ever was. Ezekiel 16:49 He lists some of the sins of Sodom---pride, abundant food but no concern for those without food yet they had time and opportunity to help others; verse 50 says they committed abominations before God Ezekiel 16:53,55,56 Compares the people of his time to Sodom and predicts they will be punished as Sodom was, specifically as prisoners Amos 4:11 Another reference to the destruction of Sodom Zephaniah 2:9 Moab and Ammon are compared to Sodom and Gomorrah, and their destruction will be like the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah New Testament Matthew 10:15 Contrary to pro-homosexual revisionist exegesis, the context of this passage is not saying that the sin of Sodom was lack of hospitality. Jesus isn't making any reference at all to the sin of Sodom. The point Jesus is making is that, as bad as the judgment of Sodom was, any city (or people) that rejects the disciples and their message will be judged more severely than Sodom was. Matthew 11:23 Again, Jesus is comparing a present situation to a past situation, Capernaum to Sodom. Christ is criticizing the people of Capernaum. If the people of Sodom had seen the miracles of Christ, they would have repented; yet, Capernaum hasn't repented despite seeing those miracles. Matthew 11:24 Jesus emphasizes that the people of Capernaum will be judged severely for their sin, even more severely than Sodom. Mark 6:11 Similar to Matthew 10:15; those who reject the disciples and their message will be judged more severely than Sodom Luke 10:12 Similar to Matthew 10:15 and Mark 6:11 Luke 17:29 A reference to the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah and how the future judgment of men will be similar 2 Peter 2:6 A reference to the judgment of Sodom; the city was burned to ashes because the people lived "ungodly"; their judgment was to be an example to others. Verse 7 says that Lot was oppressed by the sexual misconduct of the people. Jude 1:7 Gives some specific descriptions of the sins of Sodom; "immorality" and "strange flesh" are the words used to describe their sin The City of Sodom Biblical References To Sodom [cont.] Revelation 11:8 Refers to the bodies of the two witnesses of the end time who are killed and lie in the street of the city which is called "Sodom", possibly due to its sin being similar to ancient Sodom. What Was The Sin Of Sodom? The sin of Sodom consisted of many sins---pride, lack of concern for the poor, and sexual immorality were a few. Homosexuality was one of the sins of Sodom. Genesis 19 makes it clear that the men of Sodom were homosexuals and wished to rape Lot's guests. In the New Testament, 2 Peter emphasizes the sexual immorality of Sodom, and Jude talks about "strange flesh", a word used for sexual perversion. Josephus, the first century Jewish soldier, priest, and historian, gives pride and rejecting God as some of the reasons for Sodom's destruction. He also mentions the desire of the men of Sodom to rape the men visiting Lot and how God was angry at those actions. Throughout Scripture, Sodom is used as an example of judgement. Sodom was not just a city that just happened to be judged; it was a city that let sin and evil grow without restraint. The people were proud of their wealth and proud of their sin. Therefore, God wiped the city from the face of the earth. Even today, Sodom is associated with sin and perversion. God judged Sodom's sins, and one of those sins was homosexuality. To accept homosexuality as just another lifestyle is to reinterpret the teachings of the Bible and disregard the judgment on Sodom. Homosexuality is a condemned lifestyle and will be judged as all sin should be. copyright 1994 Wally Morris 1011 Old Farm Court Watkinsville, GA 30677