Sodom and Gomorrah: Jude 1:7
“7) just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.” Jude 1:7
We now come to the third example of Satan’s plan and power to deceive and demoralize people. This story relates to Sodom and Gomorrah. The actual story takes us back to Genesis 13-19 and the sad commentary of Lot.
When Abram and his nephew Lot were living together, they were greatly blessed so that the land could not sustain them while living together. To solve the situation, Abram told Lot to choose his dwelling and separate from each other.
Genesis 13:10 says; “10 and Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere- this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah- like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar.” Lot saw with his eyes and lusted for the abundance of Sodom.
There was only one problem, verse 13 adds; “13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord.” They were vile people with no fear of God and no moral restraint. Note they were sinners “against” the Lord. They defied God and His morals to His face.
We now have a slight twist to the illustrations of Jude. Satan sometimes sends evil workers among Gods people to deceive them, but more often he entices Gods people to move in and embrace the world. Such was his plan for Lot.
Peter adds a sober warning about Lot in his exposition of Sodom and Gomorrah, “8) for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day with their lawless deeds.” (2 Peter 2:8) The daily bombardment and flaunting of sin soon took its toll on Lot and his entire household.
It should be noted that God twice spared Lot. His first rescue came in Genesis 14 when the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were conquered by the kings of the east and Lot and all of his belongings were looted. God sent Abram and his men to rescue them.
It was while returning from captivity that Melchizedek came to them as a witness and most likely gave a warning to the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah to turn from their wicked ways. (See Genesis 14:17-24) God always sends messengers to warn the wicked before He brings judgement.
As a side note, the story of Jonah is unique because the people of Nineveh actually repented at the preaching of Jonah. God spared them from His wrath. I believe He would have done the same for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah had they taken heed. (See Matthew 10:15) God is loving and gracious and wants people to repent and be saved.
What happened next in the Genesis account is very important. While Lot returned with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, they ignored God’s warning and become even more vile and hardened in their sinful ways. Meanwhile in Genesis 15-18, God was working in Abraham and promising the birth of Isaac through whom the Messiah would eventually be born. God is always at work no matter how dark the world becomes.
Even as the angels were on their way to the land of Sodom and Gomorrah to bring harsh judgement, they stopped to converse with Abraham and Sarah about the birth of Isaac. (Read Genesis 18) Gods grace is seen in His response to the pleading of Abraham to not destroy the land if ten righteous could be found.
In the end, the lands of Sodom and Gomorrah were so vile and wicked that God spared only Lot and his two daughters. It was not for any goodness within them, but because of Gods mercy to Abraham, therefore God spared his nephew.
In the end, Lot lost everything and was shamefully debased by his own two daughters who made him drunk and seduced him. Their morals were as debased as the culture they embraced. This sin resulted in the beginning of the Moabite and Ammonite people. Both became enemies of Israel in future generations.
With this broader background we now gain huge insight into the warnings of Jude. Satan has two schemes. The first is to plant evil workers among God’s people to deceive and demoralize them from within. The second is to entice God’s people to love and embrace the ways of the world. Both result in eternal punishment and damnation for many people.
Never underestimate the power of sin to deceive people and lead them away from God and into bondage. You cannot embrace Sodom and salvation at the same time. Don’t be deceived by those trying to condone immoral lifestyles under the guise of grace. Pay heed to the warning of Jude!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
