The Surprising Truth About Sodom and Gomorrah: A Warning for Today's Church

Have you ever considered the Bible stories we teach to be “children’s stories”? I didn’t grow up in church, but when I accepted Christ as a teenager, I quickly began serving in children’s church. It became a really great way for me to learn the stories in the Bible because I was learning about who God is alongside these kids. I was shocked to learn that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was in our children’s curriculum—to me, that seemed like more of a source of nightmares rather than an encouraging story to tell 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders in my Sunday school class. Today however, I see this story as a warning and a mirror; an

invitation into examination and even course correction, if necessary. 

Sodom and Gomorrah

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction is an incredibly famous Bible story found in the book of Genesis. Abraham tries to barter with God, asking him to preserve the city even if there are as few as ten righteous people living there. Then, two angels tell his nephew Lot to get the heck out of dodge—but he hesitates. The next morning, Lot along with his wife and two daughters are led out of the town by angels, and while the fire is raining down upon that city, Lot’s wife looks back and becomes a pillar of salt. 

One interesting thing about this story is that the Genesis account doesn’t tell us exactly what Sodom had done in order to warrant such a clear display of God’s judgment. This is what’s recorded in Genesis: “Then the Lord said, ‘The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is immense, and their sin is extremely serious. I will go down to see if what they have done justifies the cry that has come up to me. If not, I will find out.’” Gen. 18:20-21 CSB

What I find most interesting is that these verses don’t say what Sodom and Gomorrah’s egregious sins were. There’s no listing of offenses in Genesis—just that their sins were very great, and the Lord felt moved to action because of the outcry against them. However, an answer to what Sodom and Gomorrah’s sins were comes in Ezekiel 16. In this passage, God is pronouncing his judgment against the rebellious Israel. He compares her actions with that of others who have also disobeyed God. And then, toward the end of the chapter, we read this: “Now this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters had pride, plenty of food, and comfortable security, but didn’t support the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable acts before me, so I removed them when I saw this.” Ezekiel 16:49-50 CSB

I don’t know about you, but I feel immediately convicted when I read this passage. As much as I try to be a humble person who gives to the less fortunate, I know that there’s still more that I can do. Though it’s my desire to reflect God’s heart and care for the poor and needy, I know how often I fail to do so.

God Desires Justice

These verses in Ezekiel aren’t an anomaly. Throughout the Bible, we see just how deeply God cares for those that Jesus calls, “the least of these” in Matthew 25. Over and over again, God calls his people to differentiate themselves from the customs of the world by caring for the orphans, the widows, and the immigrants. And, when God’s people disobey by living unjust and unrighteous lives, he sends his prophets, like Ezekiel, to call them out. 

The more that I read through these Old Testament books that are filled with pronouncements of God’s judgment, the more that I see my nation reflected in the actions of ancient Israel. The passage in Ezekiel describing the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah could easily describe both America and the American church today. We tend to be known as prideful consumers who look out for ourselves at the expense of others. 

Obviously, there are exceptions and plenty of individuals and churches who are doing good work in communities throughout this nation—but that’s not what we’re known for. Instead, like Sodom, we are often most known for our pride and greed. We’ve come to revere and applaud injustice and call the dehumanization of others who are made in the image of God “good.” 

Christ is Our Ultimate Example

These verses in Ezekiel are sobering to read. But Jesus modeled this way of life for us. We can turn to the gospels to see how love for the immigrant, the poor, the sick, and the unhoused can dictate how we live our lives. We can look to the people of faith who have come before us who advocated for the least of these, serving the poor in their neighborhoods. It’s easy to follow the pattern of pride and selfishness that plagued Sodom and is present in America today. But we don’t have to do that. Instead, we can follow the words, teachings, and ways of Jesus. 

May we be a people who seek God’s face, listen to his voice, and follow his ways. May we become a church that is known for its love and not for its hate. May we be a people who live in radical community and act with unusual generosity. And may we pursue righteousness and justice,  just like Jesus did.