God's Judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah

God doesn't judge and destroy the wicked without giving opportunity for repentance. Events before the Judgement revealed that God showed mercy and gave grace to the righteous. While the sinners may not know judgement that awaits them God can still give grace for their forgiveness and deliverance through intercessor. Abraham's intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah saved some people from destruction. From the root of Abraham God sent an intercessor, Jesus Christ to save people and take away the punishment of sin. 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. The followings are discussed: Investigation into Sodom Sin; Abraham's Intercession and God's Mercy, and Judgement for Sin.

Investigation Into Sodom Sin: The gravity of sin of people of Sodom and Gomorrah caused God to judge the cities. He judges sin when it becomes grievous (Genesis:16-22). Before the destruction God made His intention known to Abraham so that he could understand reason for the judgement, and probably to intercede for the righteous.

The cities were judged for sins of homosexuality, perversion and lack of concern about the plight of others. The people were so arrogant, selfish and inhospitable, and pursuing immoral behaviours with their prosperity (Ezekiel 16: 49-50). The Church may live under similar influence that brought judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah if believers are arrogant, unconcerned, self-centered and self-serving in their relationships with others. Such behaviours can make others miserable, poor and wretched.

Abraham's Intercession and God's Mercy: After the two angels had left for destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham was standing with God, interceding for the righteous of the cities (Genesis 18:23-33). He was confident that God was righteous and just, and would not destroy the righteous with the wicked. Thus, he was determined to seek an opportunity for mercy to be extended to those who knew God.

In his intercession, Abraham continued to ask God to withdraw his planned judgement if it was possible to find certain number of righteous people in the cities. He asked for mercy if fifty, forty five, thirty and down to ten righteous people were found, but the righteous in the cities were not up to that. Only the family of Lot, Abraham's nephew escaped God's judgement. Christians are to follow good example of Abraham and pray with persistence for others to receive God's mercy and become saved from destruction.

Judgement for Sin: Total destruction of a place and people may come as a result of God's judgement of sin. Abraham's intercession saved Lot. Effective prayer of the righteous saves people from destruction. Instead of rejecting life pleasure and focusing on God's deliverance Lot's wife was mindful of the shameful past. She probably regretted seeing destruction of her wealth and comfortable city's lifestyle and was consumed in the process.

God's judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah was a strong warning to all that God judges sin. No one can stand God's judgement of sin. Jesus stated that God's judgement on Sodom and Gomorrah would be more tolerable than judgment on nations and people that heard his message and rejected it ( Matthew 11:20-24). As Christ's message is being preached more widely and freely today through different media than before people are being called unto genuine repentance, and to follow the way of deliverance and salvation of souls from horrors of divine judgement. Lesson Texts: Genesis 18:16 thru 19:29; Ezekiel 16:49-50; Matthew 11:20-24.