Throughout the bible Sodom is set as an example to us. Working backward from my thought process we know that the earth will be destroyed by fire and that one day there will be a new heaven and new earth. We seem to be living in a awkward period were we know what is going to happen in the future and we know what happened in the past. We have no exact time of Jesus’ arrival; we simply know he will someday. Jesus likened his return to a day of destruction.
We’ve explored Sodom’s sins and not only were they liars and corrupt, they also had questionable sexual practices. They disrupted the natural order of things and distorted their civilization. There is a process and order to everything we see, we have sun and rain that help grow seeds that grow and feed people and animals and clean our air. We have seasons and daylight and night time. What if the natural process is disrupted, say we take it upon ourselves to change the earth’s temperatures. What processes does that disrupt? When the natural order of earth is changed we create more disasters. We add chemicals to food, MSG, and then wonder why we have problems with obesity in our nation. We then disguise MSG with different names to confuse the issue and unless you know someone who has taken lots of chemistry classes and nutrition classes, you may never figure out what is going on. Even worse, we use human hair or animal hair in bread for texture, yet ignorance is bliss as they say, and no one knows what L-Cysteine is. (Glad I raised someone who knows these things.) I could mention more disgusting things but will leave this alone for now.
The same is true when the natural order of humanity is changed, where we steal from one another, or we refuse to help the hungry and poor. If true ministry is to care for widows and orphans, why does everything else in our churches come first, and any funds left at the end of the month can go to the widows’ orphans and the poor? For a pure and holy ministry before God the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 Lamsa Bible. We wonder why so many church leaders have personal issues but no one really believes we should live the way the bible says. We are told to be holy, but we compromise on sin and use our grace card to satisfy our guilt. Wow. We are told to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit, but like a vending machine we only try to get something when we need it. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Cor 13:14 Lamsa Bible
If it makes you upset to see the direction the world is going, the corruption and the about face from holiness, you are not alone. Lot felt the same way. But remember one of Lot’s married daughters’ was killed for helping a hungry traveler. This means Lot taught his family the right way to behave. Lot was spared but some of his family perished in Sodom. Jesus sent out his disciples to tell people that the kingdom of heaven was near, however he had to include in his instructions that some cities would not receive them.
Matt 10:14-15 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.KJV
Is it more tolerable because Jesus had not come in the flesh at their time? Is it less tolerable on the day of judgment for us because we have rejected Jesus’ provision for sin?
Matt 11:23-24 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.KJV
If Jesus had done the works he did in Capernaum in Sodom they would have repented and they would still be around, but Capernaum did not repent, so Sodom will be better off on judgment day than they will be. But what about our prophets and church leaders, will it be worse for them on the day of judgment? Jesus seems to hinge the before Jesus and the after Jesus as a dividing line of judgment.
Jer 23:14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.KJV
Luke 17:26-30 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.KJV
In Luke we see that Jesus’ example to us is Sodom was surprised when fire rained down, just as the people in Noah’s day were surprised, they weren’t planning, they didn’t have a pile of MRE’s and bottled water in their basements awaiting the day of destruction. People conjecture that the Nephilim were in the days of Noah, so that the Nephilim have to be back on earth, but I think that is a stretch to use this example of Jesus’ to say that. Clearly his point is that it was life as usual and then death. If we remember, Noah had been witnessing to the people for 120 years, telling them what would happen if they didn’t change and I’m sure by the time 120 years passed they were tired of hearing it. Similar to today where people are not interested in listening to the message of the cross, especially when people make public predictions on the rapture that do not come to pass. Understanding the picture Jesus is painting, we will be going along with life as usual and then, surprise. We are not going to be given advanced warning any more then we have been given already. We are told by scripture that we are saved from the wrath of God, and the wrath of the Lamb, but not the destruction of man. Man makes his own destruction more times then we realize, as men who own everything enjoy playing god with the rest of humanity. It’s been this way since the fall. Remember how Cain was enticed to kill Able? Or Nimrod influenced to introduce strange practices that turned people away from God.
2 Peter 2:6-10 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.KJV
Peter tells us that that Sodom is an example for those who live ungodly. I know that there are lots of people who wish to be their own gods, living without order and not under any constraint. But everything around us has order, the earth has order, the world has order the universe has order, why shouldn’t humans have order? The despise governments, is more properly supplied as authorities. God would not blame us for despising evil governments that promote an agenda against God Almighty. The Lamsa bible reads 2 Peter 2:10 And especially will he punish those who follow after filthy lusts of the flesh and have no respect for authority. Bold and self-willed are they who do not tremble when they blaspheme against the glory, 11where as angels, who are greater in power and might do not bring upon themselves the condemnation of blasphemy. We see that the evil speaking is of the glory not of people who are somehow honorable. That is why angels don’t speak against the glory, it is blasphemy.
Back to Abraham. Remembering who is speaking to Abraham, Yahweh/Jehovah reveals his plans for Abraham and for Sodom. It is interesting the boldness Abraham had to speak to Jehovah, he even remarks how he is dust and Jehovah is the judge of the earth. After the Lord was done communing with Abraham he left, again as per a previous blog we have to keep straight that Jesus said no man has seen the Father at any time but the Son, so again keep in mind that this is why Jesus spoke to the Jews saying that Abraham rejoiced to see his day. Remember the Jews got mad and said that Jesus wasn’t even 50 years old, how could Abraham have seen him and Jesus said that before Abraham was, I Am. He told the Jews he was I AM, the one who spoke to Abraham, and Moses, which is why they wanted to kill him. This section shows that it is not just a figure of speech for Jesus to say he was I AM, because the Yahweh spoke with him as a friend. We clearly see Abraham taking the liberty to speak to Yahweh and negotiate for Lot’s life as if he was speaking to someone he knew. Then the Lord Yahweh/Jehovah went his way to visit Sodom to see if the things he heard they were doing were true.
Gen 18:16-33 And the men rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.17 And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;18 Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.20 And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the Lord.23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?26 And the Lord said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.33 And the Lord went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.KJV
Now the messengers that the Lord sent visit Sodom
Gen 19:1-29 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.6 And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him,7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.9 And they said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door.10 But the men put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door.11 And they smote the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great: so that they wearied themselves to find the door.12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord:19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the Lord:28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. 29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt. KJV
The Angels blinded the people of Sodom so they would wear themselves out trying to find the door. Then Lot goes to his son’s in law to tell them to leave the city but they think he’s a fool. Lot tried but they refused to listen, and it is sad to think that his daughters died because their husbands were hard hearted. Then Lot negotiates to go to Zoar instead of the mountain and the Angels grab them all by the hands and rush them out of the city, but as soon as they reach Zoar the Lord Yahweh/Jehovah destroyed Sodom and the surrounding cities. Lot then becomes scared and he and his daughters end up in a cave in a mountain, and his wife is pulverized dying in fear and later her body being destroyed by ash and fall out possibly like the people of Pompeii. Meanwhile Abraham gets on an animal early in the morning and sees the cities smoking like a furnace.
The text then uses the word Elohim and says Elohim destroyed the cities of the plain and that Elohim remembered Abraham. Now we see the correlation between Yahweh/Jehovah and Elohim, (remembering that Elohim being plural means three or more). So now we have the final word that Yahweh is one of the three that make up Elohim. Moses was not just throwing words around mindlessly when he recorded this, saying Yahweh threw down fire and brimstone on the cities, then later saying Elohim destroyed the cities. Moses was making a strong point that Yahweh who is also known as Jehovah, is the one that walked and talked with Abraham but Yahweh is also one of Elohim as well, not the Father or the Spirit, but the Son. Jesus then could testify to knowing Abraham and making it clear to us that he is Yahweh and one of Elohim, again not the Father or the Spirit.
I again hit this point hard because we have to understand it in order to be able to explain it to others. If in the Aramaic we find the word trinity, but then it gets mistranslated in the Latin and Greek, we then have a dilemma of explaining the trinity, three unified. If we can at least show and explain the trinity without having to use the word trinity, we can then eliminate the argument that trinity is not in the bible. The answer truly is dependent on which translation you use, but it is clear from working the word that Moses was in fact clear in his understanding of how the Godhead works together. He was also clear in his understanding that Yahweh was one of Elohim. Now we can go back to reading how Jesus testified of himself and understand what he was saying. Jesus is our only answer to this life. If we know Him we can share him with others, even those who insist on contending in unlearned and tired arguments.
