48
FOR THE SAKE OF
TEN MEN I WILL
NOT DESTROY IT
GENESIS 18:32, SODOM AND GOMORRAH
L
ike the Great Flood, in which
God destroyed and remade
creation, the destruction of
Sodom and Gomorrah is one of
the most dramatic examples
of divine punishment in the Bible.
It illustrates the need for human
beings both to fear God’s power
and trust in His judgment.
In Genesis 18, Abraham is
visited by three angels in human
form. One of them, speaking as if
he is God, tells Abraham that He
has come to investigate reports of
sinful behavior in the towns of
Sodom and Gomorrah. The angel—
or God himself—indicates that if
the “outcry against Sodom and
Gomorrah is so great and their sin
so grievous” as He has heard, He
will destroy the cities.
The writers of Genesis then
reveal the close relationship
between Abraham and God.
Abraham challenges God’s plan
and humbly asks, though he is
“nothing but dust and ashes,”
whether it is right to take such
drastic action. While he is not
prepared to resist God’s wishes,
Abraham bargains with Him,
confident that the “judge of
all earth” (18:25) will do right.
Eventually, God agrees that HeIN BRIEF
PA S SAGE
Genesis 18:1–19:29THEME
Divine punishmentSETTING
Around 1900 bce In Sodom
and Gomorrah, two towns in
the Valley of Siddim, possibly
near the Dead Sea.KEY FIGURES
Abraham Son of Terah and
the future father of all nations.The angels G od’s messengers
on Earth.Lot Abraham’s nephew,
who has settled with his
family in Sodom.Lot’s wife A woman who
may have enjoyed living in
the sinful city of Sodom.The men of Sodom
Depicted as a sinful and
unfaithful people.Other biblical references
to Sodom and GomorrahIn Deuteronomy 29:22–23,
Moses refers to the
destruction of Sodom
and Gomorrah.In Isaiah 13:19–22, Isaiah
warns Babylon that it
may end like Sodom
and Gomorrah.In Ezekiel 16:48–50,
God compares
Jerusalem to Sodom.In Luke 10:12–13,
Jesus cites
places that are
more damnable.US_048-049_Sodom_and_Gomorrah.indd 48 12/10/2017 15:01