Today, points are shared on divine judgment as a tool to further reveal the character and nature of GOD. Fire and brimstone were rained down upon Sodom and Gomorrah as an expression of commitment, love, righteousness, wisdom, and truth, not merely a display of authority and wrath against sin. That Lot would offer his daughters to protect two strangers who were lodging in his home at Sodom foreshadows the cross—a father’s sacrifice of his innocent offspring. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:
Why is it in Sodom and Gomorrah it was deserving of death to be gay but was an act of righteousness to hand your own daughters to rapists?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men: Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this. For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps. Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures? To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. (Deuteronomy 32: 26-36, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Remembering Lot’s Wife? (11/04/2014); Sinless Until Advent? (11/05/2014); Lot and the Angels (05/04/2014); Expulsion from Eden (05/05/2014); Sacrificial Relationship? (10/23/2013); Relationship by Unselfish Giving? (10/24/2013); Teachings on Judgment (06/06/2013); Those Who Never Heard? (06/07/2013)
“Anonymous”, here are some points shared among mature Christian believers that establish judgment as a divine spiritual process, rather than a human emotional reaction to various crimes and offenses (e.g., lust, murder, rape). Consider the following:
(1.) The account of Lot offering hospitality, lodging and protection to two strangers who came under sexual assault by every male in the city of Sodom is not about Lot’s heroism, mob behavior, human sexual practices, or the extremes of sin and violence. A revelation of divinity is provided wherein the character and nature of the Creator is made visible as righteousness through the device of judgment.
(2.) Divine judgment consists in more than simply the expression of wrath against sin. Aspects of judgment against Sodom and Gomorrah also include balance, impartiality, investigation, and opportunity to provide testimony. Inseparable sacred operations appear such as admonition, atonement, confession, correction, deliverance, forbearance, forgiveness, mercy, redemption, repentance, salvation, and witness.
(3.) The participation of finite created beings and living creatures in divine judgment may be as advocates, servants and tools. In addition to being the accused, those in judgment may become the vindicated. Knowing the cities were condemned as devoted to destruction, Abraham pled for righteousness, not dismissing the charges, showing lenience, or withholding punishment. Two angels were dispatched to destroy Sodom and other cities of the plain on condition they would not find ten righteous.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) Ezekiel 16: 48-50, KJV: 48 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters. 49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. 50 And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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