WHY GOD DESTROYED SODOM AND GOMORRAH

If you could ask someone why God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, probably the most common answer you would get would be:

1. sexual perversion

It seems to make sense, because of the incident that is recorded for us in Genesis 19, where the men of the city wanted to have relations with the 2 angelic men who were with Lot. And yet, God tells us by means of the prophet Ezekiel why he destroyed them, and, believe it or not, the reason he himself gives is one I have never heard anyone mention.

Before I share that scripture, I want to demonstrate one way that He teaches us things, things such as this reason for destroying Sodom and Gomorrah, which is by theme connections. By this I mean where you read of a theme somewhere, then see that same theme repeated elsewhere, and connect them.

Such a connection can be found in Genesis 18 and 19, and this connection gives us the reason that God himself gives Ezekiel for destroying those cities.

First, in Genesis 18 God appears before Abraham as 3 men. How does Abraham respond?

Now let a little water be fetched, wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. I will get a morsel of bread so you can refresh your heart. After that you may go your way, now that you have come to your servant." They said, "Very well, do as you have said." Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, "Quickly make ready three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes." Abraham ran to the herd, and fetched a tender and good calf, and gave it to the servant. He hurried to dress it. He took butter, milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them. He stood by them under the tree, and they ate.
(Gen 18:4-8 WEB (R))

Simply put, he shows hospitality. Perhaps this might seem like a minor detail, but it is actually a demonstration designed through history to teach us at least 2 things:

1. That Lot, despite his lack of judgment at times, was still a righteous man, following after his relative Abraham. Hospitality is given as a demonstration of that.

2. That Sodom and Gomorrah were to be destroyed for the lack of this, as we will soon see.

Now, keeping this event in Genesis 18 in mind, turn now to Genesis 19, where 2 of the men went on to Sodom where Lot was. And, this time, how does Lot respond?

and he said, "See now, my lords, please turn aside into your servant's house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you will rise up early, and go on your way." They said, "No, but we will stay in the street all night." He urged them greatly, and they came in with him, and entered into his house. He made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.
(Gen 19:2-3 WEB (R))

Once again, we see hospitality being shown. Think this is mere coincidence? Consider the following thought. Could not God have simply arranged for these 2 men to suddenly appear in Lots home that night, miraculously, and then arranged for them to leave right away? That would have avoided all the need to blind the perverted ones who came to his home later that night.

Yes, but instead, he has these men walk into Sodom out in the open at the gate where the elders (Lot being among them), would be. I believe this was arranged by God to have Lot demonstrate that he was righteous, because he practiced hospitality, just like his righteous relative, Abraham, had demonstrated earlier that day. He cared for those in need. Looking again, we also see that not one other person there offered the same, which showed the spirit of that city.

Lastly, we will see God's own words given through the prophet which describes this very thing:

Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, fullness of bread, and prosperous ease was in her and in her daughters; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. They were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.
(Eze 16:49-50 WEB (R))

Looking at this we see that Sodom and Gomorrah is spoken of as having fullness of bread and prosperous ease. Yes, they were well-off. This condition produced pride and haughtiness in them. This manifested itself in the typical selfishness we see even today with many who are well-off, and here you will notice it is described as not strengthening the hand of the poor and needy. Hospitality is linked to this, because that is a form of strengthening the poor and needy. Many of those to whom hospitality was shown were in that condition, and depended on the shared life of others. So, according to the context, this is the abomination that they were committing; the reason God took them away as he did. And the connected themes of Genesis 18 and 19 clue us in on this truth.

No matter where we are, may we consider it, not an inconvenience, but a privilege, to show hospitality, to care for those poor and in need. It was serious enough to warrent the destruction of whole cities, because the Lord has a fierce, passionate love for such ones.

Ron