Lessons from Sodom
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Do you remember Sodom and Gomorrah, the wicked cities which God destroyed in Abraham’s time? (Genesis 18:16 – 19:29) Although most people today may not know the story of how God told Abraham His plan to destroy the city, how Abraham bartered with God to spare the city if ten righteous people could be found there, and how God rescued Lot and his family before completely destroying it, yet the name Sodom has become synonymous with evil.
Therefore, it is interesting to hear what Ezekiel chose to record in his warning to the Israelites.
“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen” (Ezekiel 16:49, 50).
They were arrogant.
They were overfed.
They were unconcerned.
They did not help the poor and needy.
Does that not sound like us?
Oft times we are proud; unconcerned with God’s holiness or His authority; we are accustomed to comfort; we think we deserve luxury; in our busyness we neglect the ministry of mercy toward the outcast and downtrodden.
Because of its sin, Sodom was wiped off the face of the earth when God rained down burning sulfur on it (Genesis 19:24). Let us take heed and not imagine that their sins were more detestable than our own.
Let us be humble, self-controlled, concerned about God and our fellow man, let us help the poor in our family, our community and the world.
Holy God, You alone are righteous. Forgive our complacency and our pride. Help us to humble ourselves before You and do what is right. Amen.
Questions: Why is it easy to think our sins are minor? Why is arrogance so detestable to God?
About the Author Suzanne Benner
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, God’s Command, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
Tags: Abraham, arrogant, authority, Ezekiel, Family, Gomorrah, humble, israelites, Lot, needy, poor, self-controlled, Sodom, sulfur, Suzanne Benner, unconcerned
Thank you Suzanne for the thought provoking devotional and love the scripture in Ezekiel ( don’t ever remember reading that before). I think we so often forget that sin is sin in God’s eyes. It doesn’t matter if it was telling a lie, not being honest at a check-up when maybe we are given more change than we should have been or robbing a bank or killing someone they are all sins in God’s eyes and one isn’t bigger than the other. I also think that God finds arrogance so detestable because if we are arrogant then we are making ourselves look to be so wise and important and have a tendency to leave God out of the picture and claim all the knowledge and Glory ourselves and start becoming self sufficient instead of allowing God to be God of our lives. My prayer is that I will Never, Ever forget who is Lord of my life and always allow Him to be so. Thanks again. Hugs Linda !!!
WOW!!! I think this devotional really hit home with our sins and what we need to take responsibility for. Sometimes things are not as bad as they seem and we tend to overreact. Thanks!!!
Thanks so much for this! Recently we had to cancel a vacation that I was really looking forward to due to my kitty becoming ill. I was so frustrated with the timing! I felt like I was entitled to this luxury! Thank the Lord that my kitty is here with me still as she means so much to our family. I prayed for forgiveness and asked the Lord to banish the frustration. He blessed me with a wonderful weekend at home with family and a feeling of such gratitude that I was overcome. I know it sounds a bit trite but truly it was like being able to draw a deep breath. Praise God in all things great and small. Thank you so much and God bless.
Oh my gosh, this post is only 40 years overdue!
“They were unconcerned!”
If the church was awake 40 years ago there would have been such a national outcry over Roe vs Wade. Where were we really?
As it stands right now, we have a President who’s view on Pro Death is absolutely disgusting! It just makes me wonder how many of us women have called our representitives in Congress and voiced our concern!
All thats needed for evil to flourish is for good people to do nothing!
Suzanne, thank you for the devotional.
A sin is a sin is a sin no matter which way you turn it. There is no such thing as a little white lie. I think we designate which sin is ‘greater’ than the next to suit ourselves. We are sinners but by the grace of God, He gave His only Son so that we may live. And repent should be always on the forefront of every prayer of thanks.
Linda, your last sentence-I could feel the power right through here. God bless
i think that we are in the end times now