Today, we find another FIRST in Genesis. Here in Genesis 19 we find the first mention of the sin of homosexuality. Genesis 19 stands as an important lesson concerning God’s Justice: He will punish sinners for their sins.
Sodom Represents the Justice of God in Punishing the Wicked
The sin of Sodom is the Culmination of Human Depravity. We see this in the following ways. First, we see the Extent of the sin. Apparently, Lot know how bad the men of Sodom actually were. This is true because in Genesis 19:2-3 Lot begs the angelic visitors not to sleep in the town square. “please do not spend the night in the city gate....” The corruption of Sodom is also seen in the extent of the sin permeating to every male citizen of the city. 19:4. “All the men , from every part of the city, both young and old.
The Type of sin. 19:5 “Bring the men out so that we can have sex with them” God’s justice is demonstrated in that He puts an end to a culture that has become totally corrupt through homosexuality. Not only were the inhabitants wicked in this sin, they also were most likely desiring to Rape and murder the visiting angels. Their behavior also demonstrates complete disregard for the cultural standards of protecting and honoring travelers who needed lodging and safety while on the difficult and dangerous roads.
The New Testament points to Sodom as an Example of Wickedness. An interesting comparison is found in two New Testament texts that provide an apologetic for the judgment of God. In Jude and 2 Peter we find 2 texts demonstrating the Justice of God in condemning sin. Both texts give three examples of the kind of wickedness that God judges. In 2 Peter 2:4-8, Peter gives THREE EXAMPLES
The angels who sinned
The Flood
Sodom and Gomorrah
In Jude 5, Jude gives THREE EXAMPLES
Destruction of Egypt
Angels who sinned
Sodom and Gomorrah
Note the inclusion of Sodom and Gomorrah in both lists!
Jesus mentions Sodom twice as an example of judgment. “I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.” (Luke 10:12, NIV84) “But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:29, NIV84)
The following prophets all use SODOM as illustration of God’s judgment
1. Moses. Deut 29:23
2. Isaiah. Isa 1:9; 3:9; 13:19
3. Jeremiah. Jeremiah 23:14; 49:18; 50:40
4. Jeremiah. Lamentations 4:6
5. Ezekiel. Ezekiel 16:46-56
6. Amos. Amos 4:11
7. Zepheniah. Zepheniah 2:9
Sodom stands for all time as an example of the depth of human depravity and God’s judgment against sin. It should not surprise us that those who are in rebellion against God would rail against this biblical event. Anger, ridicule and mocking of the Biblical account of God’s judgment is prevalent in our culture today.
Homosexuality is the front line in war against God’s Justice. In this war, views in America are changing. David James notes, “According to an April, 2009 article on MSNBC, a Washington Post/ABC poll released that month became the first to indicate that the number of Americans supporting same-sex marriages (49%) is now greater than those who oppose it (46%). Although the two numbers are within the typical poll margin-of-error of each other (±3%), there does seem to have been a significant shift in attitudes over the preceding 5-year period, when a Post/ABC poll put the percentage in-favor at just 32% in 2004" (ABI Report “Homosexuality and the Bible, by David James, http://www.biblicalintegrity.org/blog/?s=homosexuality)
Not only are views changing among secular people, views in the Church are changing as well. Many Christians have been sucked into the secular concept that homosexuality is a civil rights issue and that those who practice homosexual behavior are pre-disposed to this behavior from birth. The battle is whether homosexuality exists because of Nature or Nurture?
Again, in an excellent article, DAVID JAMES writes: “In this historically-prevalent view, homosexuality is considered to be unnatural, learned and morally wrong. This is consistent with the sense of justice which says that God would only condemn and judge evil behavior—things that we might choose to do, rather than those things over which we have no control – such as our gender, for example.” Http://www.biblicalintegrity.org/blog/?s=homosexuality
KERBY ANDERSON also has an excellent article on the topic. He writes, “Scientists may indeed discover a clear biological predisposition to sexual orientation. But a predisposition is not the same as a determination. Some people may inherit a predisposition for anger, depression, or alcoholism, yet we do not condone these behaviors. And even if violence, depression, or alcoholism were proven to be inborn (determined by genetic material), would we accept them as normal and refuse to treat them? Of course not. The Bible has clear statements about such things as anger and alcoholism. Likewise, the Bible has clear statements about homosexuality.” “The Sin of Sodom,” by Kerby Anderson, http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4219039/k.F893/Homosexual_Theology.htm
After years of indoctrination, most people, and perhaps most Christians accept that homosexuality is predetermined, like the color of your eyes, your race or your blood type. We have bought into this idea through relentlessly repeated words that are seldom challenged. These words are sexual orientation, civil rights and even the frequently mentioned status of gay or straight?
THIS BATTLEGROUND has led to ATTACKS against Christians and the Bible
Attacks against the Bible come are coming from these fronts. First, is the New Athiests represented by authors such as Sam Brown, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and personalities throughout entertainment, education and media.
A second front is led by a new theology promoted by False Christians, or at the very best incredibly misguided and sinful believers who claim that the Bible really does not condemn homosexuality. They provide new interpretations of Genesis 19. They say that the sin was inhospitality - in other words, it was the disrespect that the inhabitants of Sodom showed toward the strangers that earned God’s judgment. Some also claim that there really was no immorality here. The men of Sodom wanted to interrogate the angelic visitors out of fear that they may be intruders. After all, the area was still at war. Both of these ideas are pure and utter nonsense, and completely twist the plain and clear meaning of the text. It would be more honest for these “theologians” to say what they really believe, that they do not believe the Bible or like what it teaches.
A third attack comes from Gay Rights Activists. Just this week, gay rights activist and speaker DAN SAVAGE made national headlines for his indecent and grotesque verbal attack against an innocent group of several hundred high school students who were expecting to hear a talk about conquering bullying. “A group of high school journalism students attending a conference called “Journalism on the Edge” in Seattle over the weekend felt they were pushed over the edge by syndicated sex advice columnist Dan Savage. SOURCE:http://www.citizenlink.com/2012/04/18/students-walk-out-on-dan-savage/
The Workshop was supposed to be on how to stop bullying. Savage used profane and obscene talk about what he would do with his husband if he were on the stage.
Savage mocked the Bible, and ridiculed Christian students who walked out, some of the girls crying.
Here is some information about this wicked man. Savage STARTED and heads up the “It Gets Better Project.” The movement Endorsed and promoted by the White House. http://www.stopbullying.gov/videos/2010/10/president-obama-it-gets-better.html http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/10/22/obama-joins-it-gets-better-campaign-dan-savage-says-make-it-better/tab/print/
So Savage did not become momentarily unglued. He did not slip. His behavior is consistent. It provides two sad indictments. First, that our Government supports such a preacher of hatred, bigotry and injustice. This action is NOT new for Savage. In 2000, he infiltrated the Gary Bauer campaign for President, posing as a supporter. During the campaign he became sick with the flu and boasted about licking doorknobs and office items, and volunteers clean coffee mugs hoping to infect others with his virus.
The second indictment is what happened at the event. About 100 students walked out as Savage persisted in his outrageous insults against them. However, most of the remaining students at the event CHEERED when Savage insulted the Christian students with horribly vulgar language. This is a sad commentary about the condition of our society
As we draw our study to conclusion, we want to examine the lessons from Sodom. Why did God Destroy Sodom?
1. To Save the World. Sodom would have corrupted the Jewish people, whom God chose to be the ones to bring about the birth of the Messiah. Gen 18:19
2. To demonstrate His Justice. Genesis 18:20-21. God “came down” so that Abraham would know that God was righteous in his destruction of Sodom.
To many, it seems that God is lacking in LOVE.
God is not lacking in LOVE. WE are lacking in JUSTICE.
3. To Judge wickedness. I quote here from J B Phillips, “Exploring Genesis.” In this commentary, Phillips provides analysis of the depth of wickedness of the inhabitants of Sodom.
a. The sin of Sodom was a Prevalent Thing “Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.” (Genesis 13:13)
b. The sin of Sodom was a Polluted Thing. “They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them.”” (Genesis 19:5)
c. The sin of Sodom was a Persistent Thing. “Get out of our way,” they replied. And they said, “This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door.” (Genesis 19:9)
4. To Provide a lesson for all time. Sin will be judged! “if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;.... if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.(2 Peter 2:6–10)
Cultural acceptance of Homosexuality is the LAST STOP on the EXPRESS TRAIN toward complete moral depravity. Romans 1:24-27
Lot illustrates that we cannot improve men’s behavior through social or political means. Lot sat at the city gate (evidence of one of the city leaders). His lack of godliness could not overcome his humanistic effort. Compare
“The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city.(Genesis 19:1)
“Get out of our way,” they replied. And they said, “This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.” (Genesis 19:9)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
“The Sin of Sodom,” by Kerby Anderson
http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4219039/k.F893/Homosexual_Theology.htm
“Homosexuality and the Bible,” by David James. http://www.biblicalintegrity.org/blog/?s=homosexuality
