Genesis 19

Genesis 19:1

DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRHA

[Genesis 19]

ABRAHAM went¹ part of the way with the strangers, who were going to Sodom. As they journeyed along together, the Lord² said to Abraham: “The cry of Sodom and Gomorrha is multiplied, and their sin³ is become exceedingly grievous.” He told him that He would destroy the two cities. Abraham was struck with fear; for, although the men amongst whom he lived were wicked, he loved them as neighbours. At last, drawing near to the Lord, he said: “Wilt Thou destroy the just with the wicked? If there be fifty just men in the city, shall they perish withal? and wilt Thou not spare that place for the sake of the fifty just, if they be therein?” The Lord replied: “If I find in Sodom fifty just men within the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” And Abraham said: “Seeing I have once begun, I will speak again to my Lord, whereas I am but dust and ashes⁴. If there be five less than fifty just persons in the city, wilt Thou destroy it?” And the Lord said to Abraham: “I will not destroy it, if I find five and forty.” Abraham continued to plead in this manner, till at last the Lord said to him: “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” Then the Lord disappeared, and Abraham returned to his tent.

The ten just men were not found in Sodom, and the two angels were sent to destroy it. They reached Sodom in the evening, and found Lot sitting at the gate of the city. Lot invited them into his house, and the angels said to him: “Arise, get you out of this place, for the Lord will destroy it. Lot went that night to two young men who were to marry his daughters, and told them to arise and go forth, for the Lord would destroy the city. But they thought that he spoke in jest. At the first

¹ Went. A sign that he not only waited on the three strangers, but also accompanied them on their way.

² Lord. One of the three Angels bore the name of God in him, and is addressed as such by Abraham.

³ Sin. Their sins were many; but those of unnatural impurity were the chief.

⁴ Dust and ashes. i. e. though I, a sinful, mortal man, am not worthy to speak to the Lord my God.

— XII. DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRHA.

dawn of day the angels pressed Lot to depart, saying: “Take thy wife and thy two daughters, lest you also perish in the wicked city.” And, as Lot still lingered¹, they took him by the hand, and, as it were against his will, led him and his family out of the city, warning them all not to look back, under pain of death. Lot’s wife, however, looked back, and was instantly changed into a pillar of salt. The sun had just risen, when Lot entered the neighbouring city of Segor. Then the Lord rained down from heaven fire and brimstone, and utterly destroyed² those two wicked cities, with all their inhabitants.

COMMENTARY.

God’s Holiness and Justice are most plainly shown to us by the terrible fate of the wicked cities. The attack made on them by the strange kings was a visitation, permitted by God for the conversion of their wicked inhabitants. But they remained impenitent, and were quite as wicked after, as they were before that visitation. Lot’s good example might also have been to them a means of conversion, but they paid no heed to it. Then Almighty God could no longer endure their shameful state of vice, for sin is infinitely abhorrent to the Most

¹ Lingered. Hesitating, and unable to make up his mind.

² Utterly destroyed Picture to yourself this terrible judgment which overtook the wicked cities. As the sun rose in the east, and the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrha woke from sleep, thick clouds gathered over them, out of which fire fell which kindled every part of the town. The whole air was full of smoke and sulphur, the flames roared and licked up everything. The people, full of fear, rushed from their houses, hoping to escape from the city, but it was impossible to get out. The very air was aglow, and the earth itself, full of pitch and petroleum, was on fire. Their clothes caught fire, and they died a terrible death, shrieking in agony. The whole country round was burnt up, and remains unfruitful to the present day. The earth sank, and the waters of the Dead Sea rushed in, and covered the place where the wicked cities once stood, and formed what has since then been the southern part of the Dead Sea. Lot’s wife, who, against the angel’s express command, looked back, was suffocated and seized by the fire, covered with the molten bitumen, so that her corpse stood up as a pillar of salt. The Dead Sea, the southern portion of which covers the ancient sites of Sodom and Gomorrha, is a peculiar and most ghastly lake (Fig. 7, p. 63). It lies very low, 900 feet below the level of the Mediterranean, and its water is so thick and bitter that no fish or creeping thing can live in it. If the Jordan, which flows into it, carries to it any fish, they die at once and come up to the surface. Therefore, the lake is called the Dead Sea. Objects thrown into it are covered at once with a salt-crust, and the stones on its shores are covered with bitumen. On the surface of the water, and on the shores, great flakes of bitumen are often found. The northern part of the lake Isaiah 1300 feet deep, but the southern part, where the wicked cities once stood, is only thirteen feet deep. This Dead Sea, which covers the once beautiful site of Sodom and Gomorrha, is a terrible monument of divine justice.

— XII. DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRHA.

Holy God. He utterly destroyed the wicked cities from off the face of the earth, and made the whole neighbourhood desolate so that all men might know and fear His terrible justice. “Reducing the cities of the Sodomites and Gomorrhites to ashes, God condemned them to be overthrown”, says Saint Peter, “making them an example to those that should after act wickedly” (2 Pet. 2, 6). The punishment of Sodom and Gomorrha is, therefore, always held up as an example of the divine justice.

God’s hatred of impurity. This sin having been the chief cause of the destruction of the cities, you can see how hateful it is in the eyes of God, and how severely He punishes it. Impurity is the most shameful of all sins, and an abomination before God. It leads to many other sins, and easily results in impenitence and impiety, as was the case with the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrha. Almighty God does not always punish it in this world, but He will certainly do so in the next world. “Do not err; neither fornicators nor adulterers shall possess the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6, 9).

The duty of intercessory prayer. Intercession for the living and the dead is a spiritual work of mercy. Love prompted Abraham to pray for the wicked Sodomites: love should prompt you to pray for others, for your parents, brothers and sisters, and for your spiritual and temporal superiors; but especially for sinners, that they may have the grace of conversion, and may not be eternally lost. “Pray for one another that you may be saved” (James 5, 16).

The characteristics of prayer. Abraham prayed with fervour, with humility, with confidence, and with perseverance, making his petition six times.

The power of prayer. Abraham’s prayer was not made in vain, for Almighty God granted it, in so far that, had there been ten just men in Sodom, the whole city would have been spared. “The continual prayer of a just man availeth much” (James 5, 16).

Lot’s steadfastness is worthy of our admiration. He lived for twenty years in the wicked city, and did not let himself be led away into sin, but remained firm in what was right, and brought up his children in the holy fear of God. Therefore, Holy Scripture, in allusion to him, says: “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly from temptation” (2 Pet. 2, 9); because they pray and co-operate with grace.

Sorrow on account of sin. Lot’s fellow-citizens in Sodom “vexed his just soul with unjust works” (2 Pet. 2, 8). The sins and crimes which he was obliged to witness hurt his holy soul, because God was offended by them, and many souls were eternally lost. We, far from jesting about the sins of others, should mourn over them. We shall know by our conduct in such cases, whether or no we have a true love for God and our neighbour. “Blessed are they who mourn.”

KNECOT, Commentary 1 3 ed. — XII. DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRHA.

Guardian angels. Holy angels protected Lot and his family. Lot’s wife did not take heed to their warning; therefore, she perished.

The torments of hell. The burning of the wicked cities gives us a faint idea of that hell into which the impenitent Sodomites were cast for ever. The torments of the burning inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrha were very terrible; but the torments of the lost souls in hell are far more terrible. The fire of Sodom was kindled from heaven; the fire of hell is kindled by the anger of God. The shrieks of the burning Sodomites were very terrible, but the wailing and gnashing of teeth of the damned are far worse. The bodies of the Sodomites were burnt and the fire was extinguished; but the damned burn and are never consumed, nor is the fire ever quenched.

Intercession. This story shows us how dear the just are in the sight of God. Because Abraham was just, Almighty God heard his prayer, and would have spared the cities for the sake of ten just men. Holy people living in any town or country bring a blessing on the sinners among whom they live, even though they may be scorned and persecuted by them. For their sake, many a temporal punishment is averted. Monasteries and religious houses bring a blessing on the places where they exist.

Inordinate love of temporal possessions. Lot’s wife was punished by the death of her body, because, being too much attached to her possessions which she had been obliged to leave behind her in Sodom, she paid no heed to the angel’s injunctions, but stopped and looked behind her. Was it not foolish of this woman to weigh the very best of earthly gifts, life, in the balance against her paltry household goods? But those act with still greater madness who, from an inordinate love of honours, riches, pleasures &c., forget the salvation of their souls, and lose the possessions and joys which are eternal.

Temporal punishment. God rewarded the virtue of Lot by saving him from the destruction of Sodom. But he lost all his possessions which were destroyed with the city, and he was thus punished for his selfish conduct towards his uncle. By this punishment of Lot and his wife, we see that God punishes the venial sins and imperfections even of the just. Temporal punishment must be suffered either in this world or in the next, i. e. in purgatory.

The sin of Sodom. The Sodomites committed horrible and unnatural sins of impurity which called down the judgment of God. They are, therefore, counted among the sins which cry to heaven for vengeance.

APPLICATION. How can you imitate Lot’s steadfastness?

A just man is wounded by the sins of his fellow-men. He laments their wickedness, and prays for their conversion. How have you behaved hitherto in this respect? How will you behave

— XIII. BIRTH OF ISAAC AND ABRAHAM’S SACRIFICE.

in future? At the end of this lesson we will say three Our Fathers for the conversion of sinners.

Detest and fear sin, especially sins of impurity. Set hell before your eyes, think of its horrible torments, and carefully avoid all temptations to such sins. Say thus: “What will the whole world profit me, if I follow my own inclinations, and suffer eternally in hell!”

Genesis 19:21

JOSEPH IN PRISON

[Genesis 19, 21-40]

JOSEPH was now pining in prison, among criminals. But even here God did not abandon him, and caused him to find favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison, who gave him charge of all the prisoners. Amongst these were the chief butler¹ and the chief baker² of Pharao, accused of treason against their king. After some time, they both, on the same night, had a dream which perplexed them and made them sad.

Joseph, perceiving their sadness, asked them³, saying: “Why is your countenance sadder to-day than usual?” They answered: “We have dreamed a dream, and there is nobody to interpret it to us.” Joseph said to them: “Doth not interpretation belong to God?⁴ Tell me what you have dreamed.”

The chief butler first told his dream: “I saw before me a vine on which were three branches which by little and little sent out buds; and afterwards the blossoms brought forth ripe grapes. And the cup of Pharao was in my hand, and I took the grapes, and pressed them into the cup which I held, and I gave the cup to Pharao.”

Joseph answered: “This is the interpretation of the dream: The three branches are yet three days, after which Pharao will restore thee to thy former place, and thou shalt present him the cup as before. Only remember me, when it shall be well with thee, and do me this kindness, to put Pharao in mind to take me out of this prison!”

¹ Chief butler. This was the name given to that officer in the king’s court whose duty it was to examine and pour out the wine which the king drank.

² Chief baker. The duty of the chief baker was to bake the bread for the king, and, above all, to examine it, before the king ate it.

³ Asked them. Full of sympathy for their trouble.

⁴ Belong to God. By this Joseph meant: “Only those dreams which are sent by God have any special meaning, and God alone can interpret such dreams.”

KNIGHT. Commentary 1. 3 ed — XX. JOSEPH IN PRISON.

Then the chief baker, seeing that Joseph had so wisely interpreted the dream, said: “I, also, dreamed a dream that I had three baskets of meal upon my head; and that in one basket which was uppermost I carried all kinds of pastry, and that the birds ate out of it.”

Joseph said to him: “This is the interpretation of the dream: The three baskets are yet three days, after which Pharao will take thy head from thee and hang thee¹ on a cross, and the birds shall tear thy flesh.” The third day after this was the birthday of Pharao.

At the banquet² he remembered the chief butler and chief baker. The former he restored to his place; the latter³ he caused

to be hanged on a gibbet. The chief butler rejoiced in his good fortune, but he thought no more of Joseph.

COMMENTARY Ancient Egyptian wall paintings. The object of suffering.

Joseph really had a great deal to endure. At home, after being derided by his brethren, he was sold to be a slave in a strange land. Then, though innocent, he was thrown into prison and bound with chains, as if he were the worst of criminals.

¹ Hang thee. In olden times a criminal was first beheaded, and then his body was hung on a gibbet, as a warning to others.

² Banquet. At the least, given by Pharao on this occasion.

³ The latter. Apparently, the chief butler’s offence was not so great as that of the chief baker, and therefore the king pardoned him on his birthday.

— XX. JOSEPH IN PRISON.

He had, apparently, lost everything now, home, freedom and honour, but he still kept what was best of all, his innocence and his confidence in God. Every kind of external misfortune had befallen him, but he still had a good conscience, and the peace of God in his heart, so that, in spite of everything, he was still inwardly happy. But we ask: “Why did Almighty God allow this holy, innocent man to be burdened by so many troubles?” The answer is: “He allowed it in order that Joseph might be confirmed in virtue, and prepared by these humiliations for his future exalted position. All the sufferings which God allows to befall the just are for this same end; only their exaltation does not always take place in this world, but generally in the next.”

God does not forsake his servants. God was with Joseph, that is, He comforted and upheld him in his sufferings and enabled the jailer to recognise his innocence and usefulness, and thus to lighten his captivity. We learn by this story of Joseph that Almighty God does not forsake those who are His, and that we ought always to trust in Him, have recourse to Him, and submit ourselves to His will. You can see now why the Church (by the mouth of her priests) says “Dominus vobiscum” to us so often; for these words express her wish that God may always be with us by His grace. The response: “And with thy spirit”, equally expresses the wish that God may, by His grace, dwell in the soul of the priest.

Compassion. When he was set over the other prisoners, Joseph was not rough and harsh with them, but, on the contrary, sympathised with them, and comforted those who were in trouble. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

Humility. Joseph at once gave it to be understood that the interpretation of the dreams must come from God, and that of himself he could give none. He thus gave the glory to God.

Ingratitude. The chief butler behaved most ungratefully towards Joseph by forgetting him in the time of his own prosperity. Was not that horrible? But to whom is it that we owe most gratitude? Is it not to God? Thanksgiving is a necessary part of the worship of God. We should not thank Him by words only, but also by deed, and by doing His holy will. He who offends God grievously proves that he is thoroughly ungrateful.

APPLICATION. You have often been ungrateful to God, and also to your parents and superiors, by vexing and grieving them. Think of all the benefits both to soul and body which you have received from God! Say your morning and night prayers, and your grace at meal-times devoutly.

The chief butler forgot Joseph who, all the time, was lingering in prison. Christians are very apt to forget their departed

7* — XXI. JOSEPH’S EXALTATION.

friends and benefactors who are suffering in the prison of purgatory. Has it been so with you? Pray every day for the holy souls, and especially for your relations and benefactors.