Sodom and Judah

Good morning friends,
First, the sharing blog is up and running, so take a look or post something if you'd like to get in on the conversation. In today's and tomorrow's passages we see Isaiah compare Judah to Sodom and Gomorrah. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is probably somewhat familiar to us; if you'd like to refresh your memory it's in Genesis 19. At the same time when we hear the story now we have a hard time separating out the later meanings from the original story. The basic story is that Sodom and Gomorrah were cities in the Middle East with a reputation for injustice and evil. In Genesis 18 God decided to make a fact finding trip to see if the reputation was deserved, and to destroy the cities if the reports were true. The way God investigated was to send two angels as visitors to the city. When the angels visited Sodom, no one invited them into their home. In those days hospitality was a sacred duty, so this is already a huge indictment against the city. Finally Lot, Abraham's nephew who had settled in Sodom, saw the visitors and took them home. Not long after that the men of the city came knocking on Lot's door wanting to sexually assault the visitors. In a shocking indication of that culture's understanding of women and the importance of protecting guests, Lot offers the angry crowd his daughters instead, but they are intent on the visitors. At that point the angels strike the crowd blind, lead Lot and his family out of the city to escape, and destroy the city.

Many people understand this story as a judgment against homosexuality, but that's not true. The crime that brought judgment on Sodom was injustice, violation of the duty of hospitality and attempted gang rape. There certainly is an assumption behind the story that men sleeping together is a sign of disorder and that has all kinds of cultural reasons behind it we can discuss another time. Suffice it to say that when this was written (probably the 6th century from much older stories) Israel had no concept of the possibility of committed, same-sex relationships between consenting adults. At any rate, after this story Sodom and Gomorrah stand as symbols for civilizations that were totally wiped out by God because of widespread injustice. Isaiah uses this story to compare the devastating judgment facing Judah with the total destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. His point is that even though Judah is God's special children, they have turned away completely and have fallen into self-destructive patterns that will lead to judgment. May God guide us as we consider difficult stories and as we listen for God's warning.

Blessings,
Sam

Isaiah 1:1-9
The vision of Isaiah son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
2Hear, O heavens, and listen, O earth; for the Lord has spoken: I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people do not understand. 4Ah, sinful nation, people laden with iniquity, offspring who do evil, children who deal corruptly, who have forsaken the Lord, who have despised the Holy One of Israel, who are utterly estranged! 5Why do you seek further beatings? Why do you continue to rebel?

The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. 6From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it, but bruises and sores and bleeding wounds; they have not been drained, or bound up, or softened with oil. 7Your country lies desolate, your cities are burned with fire; in your very presence aliens devour your land; it is desolate, as overthrown by foreigners. 8And daughter Zion is left like a booth in a vineyard, like a shelter in a cucumber field, like a besieged city. 9If the Lord of hosts had not left us a few survivors, we would have been like Sodom, and become like Gomorrah.