1.15. The Final Word on Sodom
The Final Word on Sodom
We have all seen, and probably are all guilty of taking portions of scripture out of context and distorting the true spirit behind the words. A passage of scripture must be interpreted in context and with a true knowledge of the heart and intent of those involved in the passage. Most of us have heard bad reports about persons we know to be of outstanding character. We are less apt to receive a bad report about such a person than about a person who has a bad reputation.
I believe most people, including Christians, do not personally know the true character of our Father. We are too quick to put Him on a throne of judgment casting all his enemies into eternal oblivion whether it be eternal torment or eternal annihilation. The following chapter of Ezekiel depicts very well the transgressions of those who claim to know Him and His methods of judgment. This portion of scripture classically reveals who the greatest transgressors against Him are and how our Father will deal with the minor transgressors. It also reveals how He will deal with the greatest transgressors, that is, those who claim to be His own. The entire sixteenth chapter of Ezekiel is such a segment of scripture. It is a classic example of the creator’s view of what modern Christendom calls the chiefest of sins. As pointed out in the previous section, our Bibles have been twisted somewhat to reflect the doctrines of the translators. The larger the portion of scripture, the more difficult it is to change its meaning. In a short sentence, one word can entirely change the whole sentence. It is much more difficult to change the meaning of an entire chapter. Ezekiel chapter sixteen, I believe, truly reflects our Father’s view of the grossest of mankind’s sins and his ultimate dealings with our infractions.
I leave it to the reader to study the entire chapter carefully and prayerfully. We will just refer to certain passages that express the Creator’s view of the sins of Sodom, Samaria, and Jerusalem and his ultimate judgment of each of them. I believe it shows very clearly why vengeance must be left to our Father and what the outcome of His vengeance will be. As you read the chapter, please note:
1. Our Maker begins the chapter with His grievances against those who were at this time called "His chosen people." He reminds them they were heathen when He called them and it was He who turned them into "chosen" (Ezekiel 16:1-14).
2. His "chosen people" trusted in their own beauty, played the harlot and chased after foreign gods. He called this adultery which, according to the law, was punishable by death.
3. The God of Israel said He would judge their sins by bringing against them all those with whom she committed adultery.
"And I will judge you as women who break wedlock or shed blood are judged; I will bring blood upon you in fury and jealousy. . . They shall throw down your shrines and break down your high places. They shall also strip you of your clothes, take your beautiful jewelry, and leave you naked and bare (please note the symbolism). They shall also bring up an assembly against you, and they shall stone you with stones and thrust you through with their swords" (Ezekiel 16:38-40).
4. This was their judgment, He would then be quiet, and angry no more. Question: will He judge them again for this sin, or is this the judgment for that sin? If this is their judgment, let us see what follows their judgment. "You have paid for your lewdness and your abominations, says the Lord. For thus says the Lord God: I will deal with you as you have done, who despise the oath by breaking the covenant. Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed . . . when I provide an atonement for all you have done, says the Lord God." Please note the final judgment for Israel would be an atonement for their sins even though He had them "stoned and thrust through with a sword." They were killed! "I kill and I make alive."
5. In this chapter which graphically describes the sins of the "chosen people" and their judgment, is also the sins of Sodom, and her judgment. Sodom’s sins, from the Creator’s viewpoint were not nearly as bad as His "chosen people’s" sins. "Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty and committed abominations before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit. Samaria did not commit half of your sins; but you have multiplied your abominations more than they, and have justified your sisters by all the abominations which you have done" (Ezekiel 16:49-54).
6. Our Maker’s own people committed more wicked sins than the heathen. They broke the covenant with the Creator. In spite of this, He would provide atonement for their sins, forgive their iniquity, and will at that time give Sodom and her daughters to God’s chosen as daughters (Ezekiel 16:53-63)! If one looks at the history of Israel or the Church, one will discover that the sins of His people have always been greater than the sins of the heathen. We just refuse to acknowledge them. We are blinded by our pride, which was Israel’s problem as well. It is perhaps a believer’s biggest problem, pride and self-righteousness.
7. When this happens God’s own people will remember their ways and be ashamed and will receive their sisters Sodom and Samaria as sisters. This chapter is a classical example showing how the Creator kills and then makes alive again. It shows that while He judges for grievous sins against Him, the ultimate end of His judgments is mercy. It shows that the most heinous of sins are committed by those who claim to know Him, not those who do not. It also shows we have judged Him before the time. Have we received Sodom back as a sister? I think not.
We see the Ruler of the Universe pronounce the same kind of judgments He gave to Israel upon the heathen nations surrounding Israel. Moab shall be like Sodom, Ammon like Gomorra. He will destroy Assyria, and make Nineveh desolation (Zephaniah 2:13-15; Zephaniah 2:9). Yet in Jeremiah our Maker promises to "bring back the captivity of Moab in the latter days" (Jeremiah 48:47). In the 49th chapter of Jeremiah, He said He would totally destroy Ammon, yet in the 6th verse He promises to afterwards "bring back the captives of the people of Ammon" (Jeremiah 49:1-6). The Father of all’s chastening and judgments of the nations are severe, but ultimately will end in mercy. Mercy will triumph over judgment even though His people have usually represented Him as ultimately "getting revenge." We, who have become Abel’s voice still cry out for revenge and call it our Father’s voice. No, it is not the Father’s voice. It is time to stop projecting our self-righteousness and vengefulness upon a God Who desires mercy not sacrifice. We are the ones who call revenge "Justice." We must repent from our false judgments. When we do, our Father will give us the heathen for an inheritance (Psalms 2:8). Our sisters will come back into the family.