Sodom has become a name of infamy for all generations. Its awful doom stands forth as a perpetual sign that God’s patience with sin has a limit beyond which it will not go. The Scriptures expressly declare that the fiery fate of this doomed city of ancient time is set forth as an example, to warn men in all subsequent ages against leading ungodly lives.
The lurid flame of this great act of divine justice sends its warning light through all the centuries of human history. It shows that there is a God in heaven, before whom the cry of man’s iniquity goes up day and night. The things that are told of Sodom may be said of many a city that has not yet shared in Sodom’s doom.
The prophet Ezekiel says that the sin of that city was “pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness.” Millions would count it happiness to revel in abundance and have nothing to do. Thus far in the world’s history highest rank in human society has been conceded to those who have the greatest incomes and who never touch the common burdens of humanity with one of their fingers.
And we all know how naturally pride enthrones itself as the master passion in the heart when once all fear of want and all necessity to work are taken away.
The sin of Sodom, however gross in reputation and in reality, was the offspring of wealth and leisure—the two things which the worldly heart most desires and of which, when possessed, the worldly heart is most proud. If men could have all they desire of both, how hard it would be for them to think or care at all for the life to come! Many are ashamed of work—all are afraid of want.
And yet it is work which makes worth in men, and the deepest sense of want is the beginning of immortal life in the soul.
This awful lesson in sacred history may be all summed up in a few words: one is from man and the world, the other is from heaven and God. One says to the careless and the worldly, “Tarry, be at ease, enjoy yourself while you can.” The other says, “Escape for thy life.” One says, “Wait, be not alarmed make yourself comfortable where you are.”
The other says, “Look not behind thee...escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” One says, “Soul ... take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” The other says, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.”