Day 4: What Was the Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah?

MAIN SCRIPTURE: Genesis 19:24-25 (NLT) 24 Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulphur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. 25 He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation.

DEVOTIONAL:

What was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah? According to Genesis 19, the sin involved homosexuality. The very name of that ancient city has given us the term sodomy, in the sense of “relation between two men.” Clearly, homosexuality was part of why God destroyed the two cities. This is not to say that homosexuality was the only reason why God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Ezekiel 16:49–50 gives some more insight: “49 Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. 50 She was proud and committed detestable sins, so I wiped her out, as you have seen.” So, the sins of Sodom included pride, laziness, complacency, idleness, and unconcern for the underprivileged.

Ezekiel 16:50 adds that a sin of Sodom was that they did “detestable things.” The Hebrew word translated “detestable” refers to something that is morally disgusting. It is the same word used in Leviticus 18:22, where homosexuality is an “abomination.” In the New Testament we are given more information in Jude 1:7 (NLT) “7 And don’t forget Sodom and Gomorrah and their neighbouring towns, which were filled with immorality and every kind of sexual perversion. Those cities were destroyed by fire and serve as a warning of the eternal fire of God’s judgment.” So, again, while homosexuality was not the only sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, it does appear to be the primary reason for the destruction of those cities. Sodom and Gomorrah serve as a powerful example of how God feels about sin in general and homosexuality specifically.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, help us to learn from Sodom and Gomorrah. May we live with humility, generosity, and kindness for the less fortunate. Grant us Your grace to avoid sin and honour You in all we do. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.