Modern Sodom

Posted in , By Nick Smith 0 comments


It seems that the only time we hear the story of Sodom and Gomorrah is in reference to the sin of homosexuality. However, we are taking a narrow view of God's Word if we think this is the only lesson God wants to teach us. In fact, the sin of homosexuality is not even the primary lesson from Sodom and Gomorrah just as it was not the primary sin of Sodom and Gomorrah.

So what was Sodom's primary sin? Pride. Plain and simple pride. Pride is, in fact, the foundation for all sin.

"Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw  fit." (Ezekiel 16:49, 50 NKJV)

None of us wants to think of ourselves as prideful. After all, who in his right mind would claim to be more important than the Almighty God of the Universe? But true pride is not seen in mere words; it is seen through actions.

Can you think of another group of people that has "fullness of food and abundance of idleness" and where the hand of the poor and needy is not being strengthened? In many ways, this describes us. What a sobering thought!  It goes without saying that we have fullness of food; we are the fatest nation in the world and any corner supermarket has an array of food from all over the world. As for the idleness, consider how we spend most of the time that we are not working. We watch TV, post on Facebook and Twitter, and generally find ways to reward and entertain ourselves. As for the poor and needy, it is difficult to get a firm grasp on true need when we live in the richest nation in the world. Did you know that if your family makes $35,000 a year you are in the top 4% of wealth in the world? And if your family makes $50,000 a year you are in the top 1%.  Wow.

This is not the first time in history that a nation has been in this situation and ignored God's true calling of action. Israel and Judah were in the same boat during the time of the Kings and were compared to Sodom and Gomorrah.

"For Jerusalem stumbled, And Judah is fallen, Because their tongue and their doings  Are  against the Lord, To provoke the eyes of His glory. The look on their countenance witnesses against them, And they declare their sin as Sodom; They do not hide  it.  Woe to their soul! For they have brought evil upon themselves." (Isaiah 3:8, 9 NKJV)

“I overthrew  some  of you, As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, And you were like a firebrand plucked from the burning; Yet you have not returned to Me,” Says the Lord." (Amos 4:11 NKJV)

If you know your Bible history, you know that this time of the Kings (when Israel and Judah were being compared to Sodom and Gomorrah) was followed by a time of God's judgment, when He allowed Israel to be all but destroyed by outsiders. Only a remnant was left.

“Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” (Amos 4:12 NKJV)

What a terrifying thought when the Almighty God of the Universe tells you to prepare to meet your maker! And in many ways we are acting like Israel and Judah here in America. But it's not too late and our God is also a God of compassion. We need to remember the Word of God spoken to Solomon after the dedication of the temple; the Word that Israel and Judah forgot:

"If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV)

Let us heed these words and act on them.