The Twin Cities of Sin (Ge 18-19)

Last we chatted (I blogged), Abraham was healing from.. a ‘MINOR procedure’. YOWTCHIE!
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Next in chapter 19, Abraham is met by three men and welcomes these visitors into his tent to allow them to rest out of the heat of the day.  Abraham then tells Sarah to bake some homemade bread while he fires up the grill to cook up some burgers and brats for his guests.

After dinner, the visitors informed Abraham that Sarah will have a son one year from now. Well Sarah was listening at the entrance and LAUGHED to herself since she was so old.  The guests heard her laughing and reminded Abraham and Sarah that this is not too difficult for the God who created the world.

​After this the three men left, and headed towards Sodom (aka Sin City). 

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Sodom and Gomorrah
Now I live in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Known for cold weather and for what we brag the people are Minnesota Nice.  In contrast, Sodom and Gomorrah were the Twin Cities of Evil, and God had enough with their behavior, and tells Abraham He is going to destroy them.

But Abraham humbly pleas with God to spare these cities if there could even be found 10 good people.  This is an interesting negotiation, and a great example of God patience in hearing our prayers, and that He truly does care.  The prayers of a righteous man is heard by God with Abraham, and this is still true today.

Next the two angels arrive in Sodom and Lot pleads with them to come into his home and off the streets because it was not safe there.  They wanted to spend the night in the City Square, but did agree to come to Lot’s home. 

After dinner, the men of this wicked city came asking Lot to send out these men so that they could have sex with them.  Lot being the good host.. good host??? says “no.. don’t do this evil thing, BUT.. you can have my two virgin daughters.”  This is another one of those jaw dropping moments that transcends culture, and to compound the level of wickedness, the men yelled back.. “get out of our way Lot.. we want the men!” 
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Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed
So these angels, blind these evil men, and then told Lot to warn his family that the Lord is about to destroy these Old Testament sin cities.  In the morning, Lot, his wife, and two daughters flee the city while his future son-in-laws thought Lot was joking and stayed behind. 
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So the two men/angels took Lot and his family and led them from the city, and once they were safe, and they were all instructed.. “don’t look back.” 

Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur from the sky and destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah completely while an emergency weather alert was issued a 'hell fire' heat warning for the entire region.

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Finally as Lot and his family ran for their lives, Lot’s wife looked back and is turned into a pillar of salt.  Her last words hung in the air.. "I think I left the oven on".

After this display of God’s wrath and the there was an investigation by the local CSI TEAM finding an empty Improve Our City suggestion box at the city limits.  Many years later an archaeological dig found a road sign verifying the existence/location of the ancient city of Gomorrah. The sign stated simply.. 'What happens in Gomorrah, stays in Gomorrah'.

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Of course Lot’s life was a mess, and there are more stories following this judgment regarding Lot and his daughters that are further examples of a depraved society.  

Moral of the story?  God's Grace is amazing and free, but not.. cheap. You cannot put a price on God's Grace.. but know we must turn from our sins and never look back. GOD WILL NEVER BE MOCKED.

Blessings

​Jeff (Less Salt) Larson