Jude 1:7-8 - Sodom and Gomorrah
Jude 1:7-8:
“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” (NASB). “In the same way these people--relying on their dreams--defile their flesh, reject authority, and slander glorious ones.” (CSB).
Five Wealthy but Wicked Cities:
Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboim, Zoar, and nearby urban sites were prosperous, wealthy cities (Genesis 14:2; Deuteronomy 29:23; Hosea 11:8). The area was well-watered, evidently being one of great fertility. But they had a sordid history of sexual perversion (Genesis 13:13). These cities also had many sins such as violence, injustice, oppression, and inhospitable brutality apart from sexual immorality. Abraham's nephew Lot had been attracted to Sodom by the verdant pastureland (Genesis 13:10–11). The righteous Lot was greatly distressed and tormented in his soul day after day by the sensual conduct of the wicked (2 Peter 2:7–8). It is said that "In Sodom they had an abundance of bread and idleness of time."(Ezekiel 16:49).
Dreamers: Jude calls the apostates "dreamers," perhaps because they dreamed about ways to indulge their sinful appetites. These dreamers are cast into a deep sleep, into a state of ignorance and insensibility, of negligence and sloth, with respect to spiritual and eternal things (Benson). The apostates disregard the harm their wicked habits cause their bodies. Some apostates indulged in godless chatter (2 Timothy 2:16–18). Those who turn the grace of God into lewdness, and deny the power of the blood of Christ for the forgiveness of their sin, refuse the truth and ignore His warnings of the judgment to come. These dreamers were the presumptuous sinners. These evil ones have turned their lovely and fruitful country into a kind of hell upon earth.
Strange Flesh: They went after strange flesh. It means committing sins of the flesh not only with women, and nationality but beyond. The men of the city even lusted after the two angels who entered the city to save Lot and his family from the judgment that was about to fall. The evil desires corrupt and degenerate the mind of a person, a nation, or a faction of society and lead to destruction. The meaning of the phrase “went after, going after” is that they were greatly addicted to this offense, habitual offenders.
Eternal Example: The punishment upon these cities is an eternal example for every generation on the earth. It was a righteous retribution of God. This remarkable example keeps men in fear till the end of the world. Therefore, it is often mentioned in Scripture, particularly the prophets wished to designate some memorable and dreadful judgment of God, they painted it under the figure of sulphurous fire. "No matter who may be the sinners, or what the circumstances of the sin, outrageous offenses, such as impurity and rebellion, are certain of Divine chastisement. The punishment is the culmination of the unbelief, and rebellion against God, lawlessness is the fruitage of infidelity. Such is the development of apostasy. These steps may be traced in our own times.” (Dr. Constable).
George Adam Smith in his book ‘The Historical Geography of the Holy Land’ points out that no incident in history ever made such an impression on the Jewish people than Sodom and Gomorrah. It is repeated in Scripture as examples par excellence of the sin of man and the judgment of God (Deuteronomy 29:23; 32:32; Amos 4:11; Isaiah 1:9; 3:9; 13:19; Jeremiah 23:14; 49:18; Jeremiah 50:40; Zephaniah 2:9; Lamentations 4:6; Ezekiel 16:46; 16:49; 16:53; 16:55; Matthew 10:15; 11:24; Luke 10:12; 17:29; Romans 9:29; 2 Peter 2:6; Revelation 11:8).
(Ref: Bibleref.com; Bible study tools; knowing-jesus.com; Revised English Version; Biblehub.com; Study light)
