The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah – Part 2, ‘They Looked Down Toward Sodom’
2006 : October  |  Website Version  

Today we continue our look at the meeting recorded in Genesis 18 between the Lord and Abraham. We pray that you are encouraged by the lessons contained within these Bible passages. We saw the Lord appear unexpectedly to announce the date of Abraham and Sarah’s child; the Lord had given them the patience and strength to endure the time that had passed. This same God enables us to endure any trial, process or test that lies before us. Even when we are weak and fail to keep our focus, the Lord remains steadfast, powerful and keeps us on the path He has set before us; ‘nothing is too difficult for the Lord.’ Today we review parts of this encounter that must have caused Abraham to shudder, for, while Abraham and Sarah were still beaming with joy over news of their coming child, the Lord has sobering words about Sodom and Gomorrah’s future for Abraham.

One of the topics we looked at last message was the reality that life can change very quickly for us. Instantly, the Lord can have a dramatic, positive and possibly miraculous impact on our circumstances. We are accepting when the Lord intervenes to bless us, but are we as receptive when the Lord brings us difficult news? Do we remain steadfast and full of love for our God in times of turmoil? These verses show us another great truth; the Christian life is never one that promises to be without pain. Just as surely as the Lord can enter our lives with good news, the Lord can also enter our lives with difficult news.

We can sometimes read the stories of Abraham hearing that he will have a child and Abraham hearing of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as if they are independent events. While it’s true that they are different events, they are not independent. Abraham is a common thread in both of them, and both revelations impact Abraham in a very deep way. Abraham can barely begin to celebrate when he is advised that the Lord is about to unleash His righteous judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. Consider for a moment how much of an emotional ride this is for Abraham. One revelation to Abraham is about life and a glorious future; one revelation to Abraham is about death and absolute destruction.

What grabs your attention as you read these verses is that it is not what the Lord says that Abraham first notices; instead, Abraham first notices the Lord looking down towards Sodom and Gomorrah:

	16 "Then the men rose up from there, and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off."
	Genesis 18:16 (NASB)

What did Abraham see when he looked into those faces as they looked to Sodom? Was it stone hard faces of righteous anger for those who had been so flippant in their refusal to obey God’s laws? Was it sorrow because God would have to execute a righteous judgment on the sinners in Sodom and Gomorrah? Was it tearful faces for people that had gone astray? It must have been a stark contrast to the face that had just brought joyous news; a chill must have shot through Abraham as he looked at them. After all, Jesus is so loving and caring that we wonder if He told Abraham the news of his child with a big smile and a joyous tone. Maybe the angels had given Abraham a pat on the back and perhaps Jesus had hugged him to offer congratulations. Can you imagine, being Abraham and looking into those eyes of love as they told you the words you had wanted to hear for so long: a message of love delivered by the God of Love, but then the joyous face changes to as it prepares to judge Sodom and Gomorrah:

	20 And the LORD said, "The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. 21 "I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know." 22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the LORD.
	Genesis 18:20-22 (NASB)

Until we get to Heaven, we won’t know what Abraham saw in those faces, but it impacted Abraham enough that it is recorded in the Bible. We know what he saw made him understand the magnitude of what was going to happen.

The verses remind us again that the Lord is the final judge in our lives; He does not pass off that duty and responsibility to someone else:

	21 "I will go down now, and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know."
	Genesis 18:21 (NASB)

Many religions that teach that humans will not be judged. The Bible is in stark contrast with this view; it teaches us that we are all responsible for the life we lead on this Earth. We will all stand before the Lord one day and give an account for our lives. These verses in Genesis remind us of the words found in Acts:

	34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, 35 but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. 36 "The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)… 42 "And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. 43 "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."
	ACTS 10:34-36, 42-43 (NASB)

Let us not be deceived; Jesus has been appointed to judge the living and the dead. Let us also understand that Jesus is the One who can provide us shelter from the coming storm of judgment. In Jesus, we can find forgiveness. We pray that you would invite Jesus into your life to be your Lord and Master. The One who brought Abraham the news of his child to come would like to share news of a new birth; Jesus would like to announce that you have been born into a Christian life of faith in Him that will last forever. What are you waiting for?

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you today and always…