#the Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

[creationfromnothingness]

John Martin: The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, 1852

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Lot’s Visitors

1 The two angels came to Sodom in the evening. Lot was sitting near the city gate and saw them. He got up and went to them and bowed facedown on the ground. 2 Lot said, “Sirs, please come to my house and spend the night. There you can wash your feet. Then tomorrow you may continue your journey.”

The angels answered, “No, we will spend the night in the city’s public square.”

3 But Lot begged them to come to his house. So they agreed and went to his house. Then Lot prepared a meal for them. He baked bread without yeast, and they ate it.

4 Before bedtime, all the men of the city surrounded Lot’s house. These men were both young and old and came from every part of Sodom. 5 They called to Lot, “Where are the two men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us. We want to force them to have physical relations with us.”

6 Lot went outside to them, closing the door behind him. 7 He said, “No, my brothers! Do not do this evil thing. 8 Look! I have two daughters. They have never slept with a man. I will give them to you. You may do anything you want with them. But please don’t do anything to these men. They have come to my house, and I must protect them.”

9 The men around the house answered, “Move out of the way!” Then they said to each other, “This man Lot came to our city as a stranger. Now he wants to tell us what to do!” They said to Lot, “We will do worse things to you than to them.” So they started pushing Lot back. They were ready to break down the door.

10 But the two men staying with Lot opened the door and pulled him back inside the house. Then they closed the door. 11 The two men struck the men outside the door with blindness. So these men, both young and old, could not find the door.

12 The two men said to Lot, “Do you have any other relatives in this city? Do you have any sons-in-law, sons, daughters or any other relatives? If you do, tell them to leave now. 13 We are about to destroy this city. The Lord has heard of all the evil that is here. So he has sent us to destroy it.”

14 So Lot went out and spoke to his future sons-in-law. They were pledged to marry his daughters. Lot said, “Hurry and leave this city! The Lord is about to destroy it!” But they thought Lot was joking.

15 At dawn the next morning, the angels begged Lot to hurry. They said, “Go! Take your wife and your two daughters with you. Then you will not be destroyed when the city is punished.”

16 But Lot delayed. So the two men took the hands of Lot, his wife and his two daughters. The men led them safely out of the city. So the Lord was merciful to Lot and his family. 17 The two men brought Lot and his family out of the city. Then one of the men said, “Run for your lives! Don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Run to the mountains or you will be destroyed.”

18 But Lot said to one of them, “Sir, please don’t force me to go so far! 19 You have been merciful and kind to me. You have saved my life. But I can’t run to the mountains. The disaster will catch me, and I will die. 20 Look, that little town over there is not too far away. Let me run there. It’s really just a little town. I’ll be safe there.”

21 The angel said to Lot, “Very well, I will allow you to do this also. I will not destroy that town. 22 But run there fast. I cannot destroy Sodom until you are safely in that town.” (That town is named Zoar, because it is little.)

Sodom and Gomorrah Destroyed

23 The sun had already come up when Lot entered Zoar. 24 The Lord sent a rain of burning sulfur down from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah. 25 So the Lord destroyed those cities. He also destroyed the whole Jordan Valley, everyone living in the cities and even all the plants.

26 At that point Lot’s wife looked back. When she did, she became a pillar of salt.

27 Early the next morning, Abraham got up and went to the place where he had stood before the Lord. 28 Abraham looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the Jordan Valley. He saw smoke rising from the land. It was like smoke from a furnace.

29 God destroyed the cities in the valley. But he remembered what Abraham had asked. So God saved Lot’s life. But he destroyed the city where Lot had lived.

Lot and His Daughters

30 Lot was afraid to continue living in Zoar. So he and his two daughters went to live in the mountains. They lived in a cave there. 31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, “Our father is old. Everywhere on the earth women and men marry. But there are no men around here for us to marry. 32 Let’s get our father drunk. Then we can have physical relations with him. We can use our father to have children. That way we can continue our family.”

33 That night the two girls got their father drunk. Then the older daughter went and had physical relations with him. But Lot did not know when she lay down or when she got up.

34 The next day the older daughter said to the younger, “Last night I had physical relations with my father. Let’s get him drunk again tonight. Then you can go and have physical relations with him, too. In this way we can use our father to have children to continue our family.” 35 So that night they got their father drunk again. Then the younger daughter went and had physical relations with him. Again, Lot did not know when she lay down or when she got up.

36 So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. 37 The older daughter gave birth to a son. She named him Moab. Moab is the ancestor of all the Moabite people who are still living today. 38 The younger daughter also gave birth to a son. She named him Ben-Ammi. He is the father of all the Ammonite people who are still living today. — Genesis 19 | International Children’s Bible (ICB) The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Cross References: Genesis 8:1; Genesis 13:10; Genesis 13:13; Genesis 14:2; Genesis 16:2; Genesis 18:6; Genesis 18:20; Genesis 18:22; Exodus 2:14; Numbers 16:26; Deuteronomy 2:9; Deuteronomy 2:19; Judges 19:24; 1 Samuel 25:35; Jeremiah 38:20; Jeremiah 51:45; Luke 1:58; Luke 10:12; Luke 7:44; Luke 17:28; Luke 17:32; Luke 21:34; Acts 13:11; 2 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 2:6-7; Revelation 9:2; Revelation 14:10; Revelation 18:4; Revelation 18:9

Sodom and Gomorrah

[pmamtraveller]

THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH, 1852 by JOHN MARTIN

The painting depicts the biblical story of the destruction of the cities of SODOM AND GOMORRAH, as described in the Book of GENESIS in the Bible.

The painting is a dramatic and apocalyptic portrayal of the event, with a dark and ominous sky looming over the cities as they are consumed by fire and brimstone. The cities are shown in ruins and chaos, with buildings collapsing and people fleeing in terror. This chaotic scene is contrasted with the calm figure of Lot and his family, who are depicted in the foreground of the painting, being guided out of the city by angels.

The painting is a prime example of MARTIN'S signature style, which is characterized by grandiose and dramatic landscapes with tiny figures dwarfed by the immense scale of the scene. He was known for his depictions of apocalyptic and biblical events, and this painting is a perfect example of his mastery in this genre.

In addition to its visual impact, THE DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH also conveys a powerful moral message. The story of SODOM AND GOMORRAH is often interpreted as a warning against the consequences of sin and disobedience to GOD'S laws. MARTIN'S painting captures this message through the dramatic and catastrophic destruction of the sinful cities, serving as a reminder of the consequences of moral corruption.

The painting has been praised for its technical mastery and use of light and shadow to create a sense of drama and tension. MARTIN'S attention to detail is also evident in the intricate depiction of the cities and the various figures in the foreground. This level of detail adds depth and complexity to the painting, making it a powerful and thought-provoking work of art.

[stigmatam4rtyr]

Landscape with the Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (c.1520, oil on panel) | Joachim Patinir

[lemuseum]

[bills-bible-basics]

DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH: A WARNING TO MODERN SOCIETY -- a Bill's Bible Basics Article This article can be read online at the following URL: https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/destruction-sodom-gomorrah-1.html https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/destruction-of-sodom-and-gomorrah-a-warning-to-modern-society-a-bills-bible-basics-article/?feed_id=29445&_unique_id=63ed955dd2315&DESTRUCTION%20OF%20SODOM%20AND%20GOMORRAH%3A%20A%20WARNING%20TO%20MODERN%20SOCIETY%20--%20a%20Bill%27s%20Bible%20Basics%20Article

[carltonblaylock]

Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

Type Agent Judgement God Patient Sodom; Gomorrah Things Involved Fire; Brimstone Location Gomorrah; Sodom; Zoar Tags Fire from Heaven Genesis 19:23-29 23 The sun had risen upon the earth when Lot entered Zoar. 24 Then the Lord rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the Lord out of the heavens. 25 So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities,…

[mindfulnessministry]

[melvingaines]

Bible Study - January 11, 2023

Bible Study – January 11, 2023

https://www.facebook.com/gaines.melvin/videos/1523832924760677 Second Wednesday Bible Study for Akron Alliance Fellowship Church. 2 Peter 2:1-9

[queerfables]

Alright GO fans, let's talk Sodom and Gomorrah. This biblical story comes up a few times in Good Omens canon, a kind of offhand mention each time, and the most interesting part to me is the implication that Aziraphale was there.

If you only know the cliff-notes version, you've probably heard it as the story of God condemning homosexuality to the point of wiping out several cities over it. Maybe you've heard this too, but - that's not exactly what happened. Look, I'm an atheist, I have no dog in this race. If I thought it was about smiting people for homosexuality, I'd be happy to call God a wanker and move on. But I've read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah (You can too! It's very short!) and I've read other parts of the Bible that reference it, and I think a much more straightforward interpretation is that it's about offering hospitality and protection to strangers. It's also about the consequences of wanton cruelty, and God laying waste to those deemed beyond salvation.

In Good Omens, the book, Aziraphale and Crowley discuss Sodom and Gomorrah this way:

"Come off it. Your lot get ineffable mercy," said Crowley sourly.

"Yes? Did you ever visit Gomorrah?"

"Sure," said the demon. "There was this great little tavern where you could get these terrific fermented date-palm cocktails with nutmeg and crushed lemongrass-"

"I meant afterwards."

"Oh."

According to the book, then, Aziraphale at least saw the city after it was destroyed. Maybe Crowley saw the aftermath too or maybe he just heard about it. They both understand it as horrific.

The show is more direct, and suggests that Aziraphale was there during the actual destruction. Gabriel asks if Aziraphale remembers Sandalphon. Aziraphale does.

"Sodom and Gomorrah. You were doing a lot of smiting and turning people into salt. Hard to forget."

Aziraphale regards Sandalphon warily during the conversation. I believe we're supposed to interpret this scene based on the popular understanding of Sodom and Gomorrah as cities that God wiped out because of the inhabitants' sins. The obvious implication, then, is that Sandalphon is the heavy, the one called in to deal with disobedience. He's trigger-happy, relishes violence, and Aziraphale has seen what he's capable of. From the careful way Aziraphale discusses their prior acquaintance, I think he feels the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was a tragedy and believes Heaven's actions were disproportionate and unjust.

I'm confident this is how we're supposed to read the scene. In the context of the story, we're supposed to understand that Aziraphale doesn't approve of the smiting, and that he feels threatened by Gabriel and Sandalphon coming into his bookshop and pressing him about Armageddon. But I'm fascinated by what it would mean if Aziraphale and Sandalphon's history really tracks onto the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. Because if Good Omens' version of Sodom and Gomorrah is at all biblically accurate, and if Aziraphale was there... it's kind of mind-blowing, actually, that he still feels so much compassion for the people who died and still thinks Sandalphon was wrong.

I'm going to explain why, but fair warning, it gets ugly. I promise nobody is actually raped, and I think that promise in itself says plenty.

According to the Bible, Sodom and its surrounding cities are accused of being overrun with sin. God sends two angels to Sodom to verify this, intending to destroy everything if they find it to be true. In the world of Good Omens, I think one of these angels must be Aziraphale. The other one is likely Sandalphon, but in the Bible it's God rather than either of the angels who rains down burning sulfur on the cities so it's possible it's someone else, and Sandalphon is only on smiting duty. Without anything else to go on, though, let's assume it's Sandalphon.

So our two angels arrive at Sodom in the evening, and at the gate to the city, they meet Lot. Lot is an immigrant who has made his home in Sodom, and I think the implication is that this is why he's not completely steeped in sin like everyone else. In any case, he immediately offers to put the angels up for the night, and although they'd planned to stay in the square, Lot is really insistent. He is a good host! Also, he knows the city is dangerous. So the angels go to his house and he makes dinner for them, and then before they can go to bed, a mob shows up at the door.

See, the men of Sodom have heard about the strangers staying with Lot. They surround his house and demand he hand them over. The New King James Version puts it this way: And they called to Lot and said to him, "Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally." Several other translations say that the men wanted to "have sex with them". But I mean. It's a fucking mob. They've surrounded the house. We all get what this is, right?

So Lot goes out to meet the men, and he says "Don't do this terrible thing." Off to a good start! Then he says, "Tell you what, I have two virgin daughters. Do what you like to them and we'll say no more about it." Oh boy. Dad of the year award, right there. But still, he insists, "The angels are under my roof and my protection."

The men outside Lot's house are pissed. They say, "You're an outsider, who are you to judge us?" They threaten to do worse to him than to the angels. They swarm him and almost break the door down, but the angels pull him back inside.

The angels then strike the mob with blindness to stop them getting into the house. They say to Lot, "Look, you gotta take your family and get out of here. God sent us to see how bad things were and, uh, long story short, we're burning it all to the ground. You get it, right?"

Maybe you know the rest. Lot's son-in-laws don't believe him and won't leave the city. Lot's wife looks back and turns into a pillar of salt. Lot and his daughters take shelter in a small town called Zoar, and from there flee to the mountains. Everything else is destroyed.

It is a tragedy. The plains are leveled down to ash, until there's nothing left that can even grow. Was there really no one innocent in those cities? No children or animals? (You can't kill kids). Still, I think about that awful night under Lot's roof and I don't think I could blame anyone for giving up on all of it.

So what if that's the story? There were two angels in Sodom before it fell. What if it really was Aziraphale and Sandalphon, trapped through the night in a stranger's house, surrounded by men who want to rape them. Whatever their power as angels, that has to be terrifying.

If it was Sandalphon there with Aziraphale that night in Sodom, I have to wonder what he was like. There isn't any kinship or understanding from Aziraphale. Despite knowing the circumstances better than anyone, he still sees Sandalphon as a threat. Given that, I think Sandalphon must have taken a truly disturbing kind of joy in raining down vengeful fire and brimstone, beyond what you might expect from someone who was afraid or angry. Maybe he was never afraid; maybe instead he revelled in the violence building through the night as the reason he needed to tear everything down. Maybe he was afraid in the terrible way that exposes the depths someone will sink to to protect themselves (maybe offering his daughters was never Lot's idea). Or maybe Aziraphale just tried to reach out to him afterwards, to offer understanding and ask for some in return, and Sandalphon shot him down so coldly and viciously that Aziraphale knew immediately this wasn't something he was allowed to have feelings about. Whatever happened that night, it left Aziraphale feeling more of an outsider from Heaven than ever.

But if it happened that way, it happened this way too: Aziraphale survives a night like that, and when he looks out into the breaking dawn, he thinks, these cities don't deserve to burn. He sees the good in a place that's just shown him its absolute worst. I think that says everything about him as a character, actually. Of course he won't give up on Heaven. Of course he'll fight tooth and nail for his home on Earth. Whatever the worst is, there are still things worth saving. There are still, always, people worth protecting.

On that note, before I wrap this up, I want to go back to Lot's words to the men of Sodom, and draw a parallel that makes me feel some kind of way. Because when Lot declares the angels under his protection, what he says is essentially, "Do not do anything to these men, for they have come under the shadow of my roof for protection." And all I can think about, reading these lines, is Aziraphale standing in his bookshop as it's surrounded by hostile demons, and telling the angel under the shadow of his roof, "You came to me. I said I would protect you. And I will."

[grntaire]

a sodom and gomorrah minisode where they’re both there on assignment and crowley persuades aziraphale to cut loose a bit and eventually he relents and they do. they drink and are silly and see other people around them sitting closer than is necessarily proper and so aziraphale sits closer than is necessarily proper. maybe they almost-kiss and almost-touch and they’re lighthearted for once until they see sandalphon. they hear the destruction around them in an instant and they bolt from where they’re sat and aziraphale begs him to stop but he won’t. and the message that was meant to be sent to humans, the message of “this is sinful, and depraved, and wrong, and this is what you deserve” strikes itself loud and clear with aziraphale. that him and crowley are sinful, depraved, and wrong. that what they have and are puts themselves and others at risk and that losing crowley isn’t worth this. because he’d rather love him from a distance than not at all.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Fire and Brimstone

and the Lord began to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. He caused fire and burning sulfur to fall from the sky. — Genesis 19:24 | Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) The Holy Bible, Easy-to-Read Version Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International. Cross References: Genesis 13:10; Genesis 13:12; Luke 10:12; Luke 17:29; 2 Peter 2:6; Jude 1:7; Revelation 14:10

[play-now-my-lord]

We all know the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah here. We all know the story about Lot begging his wife not to look back at the place they lived their entire lives burning to ashes behind them, not to turn her face to the horrible wrath of God bearing down on their backs - salt water in his eyes, his voice hoarse, pleading with her and the creator of the universe for the story to end any other way. Burning, sulfurous wind singing both of their hair, unearthly sounds never heard by a living person, all receding behind them agonizingly slow. And yes, we know what Lot knew in his heart when all of a sudden his wife's labored breaths, the unsteady shuffling of her feet, all came to a sudden stop. We all know this story, and we experience it every day of our lives.

That's what getting an email feels like

[infernal-scales]

the beginning of the end to your sanity starter :) || @fellandfeathers

WHEN IN ROME do as the Romans do, and Crowley has discovered Romans do a lot of fucking. End of story.

Nudity and sex weren’t really anything looked down upon yet in most civilizations. Well, if you overlook the instances of Sodom and Gomorrah, or any other time humanity has been far too indulgent in their “sinful ways” that called for their untimely destruction.

There was a carefree attitude for all things pleasurable with the Romans, though, that Crowley quite liked, and with a flourishing nation came a want for indulgence within all its people.

It was A BREEDING GROUND for on-the-job demons, of course.

The knowledge that Aziraphale was stationed in the city alongside him put a damper on his mood. DON’T GET HIM WRONG: seeing that familiar face did wonders for his mood usually. However, this would be the first time Crowley was actively working when the angel was nearby. Most of the time, he stumbled upon or sniffed the other out—keeping his reputation clean of actions that would otherwise have Aziraphale turning his nose up at him.

Not this time, and it made him itchy, irritable, more so than he already was with the whole Emperor gig.

Speaking of the devil, the public bathhouse is filled with nothing but Caligula’s court, all mingling with each other in a manner of… INDECENT WAYS. Crowley’s mainly kept himself separated from the more involved circles—doing his best to enjoy a goblet of the finest wine in the country—but it’s not long before a curly blonde soldier swims in between his legs.

❝ How can one seem SO ALONE in a room full of people? ❞

Was that suppose to be romantic? Rude, but okay.

Crowley smirks instead of letting a biting remark fly, aware of the eyes on him from the powerful parties nearby. A hand cups the man’s jaw, forcing his neck to crane up.

❝ NOT ALONE NOW, am I? ❞

The blonde beams at him, but it lacks the radiance and dimples that never fail to warm him.

[john-laurens]

Sodomy reference in the Kinloch-Müller letters (Kinloch to Müller, July 25, 1777)

I do find it mildly hilarious that Kinloch almost spelled "Gomorrah" correctly but then proceeded to cross it out and spell it worse.

Here's the full context (which in reality, was not about sodomy, but rather about Kinloch questioning the intelligence of a fellow traveler on a ship):

"One of my fellow Passengers, a very good Sort of Man, who has travelled in France, Germany, & Spain, asked me one day whether I had ever seen the famous Colossus (of Rhodes) under which a Ship might go in full sail, & expressed his desire of visiting it;_ Another day_ we were speaking of Italy; I gave him some account of the irruption at Mount Vesuvius that I was witness to, & added that very possibly the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrha Ghomorra, which is mentioned in the bible, was occasion'd by some such event, the more so, as a lake now stands in the spot where those cities are supposed to have been placed_ He thought my idea very good, & concluded with asking whether Sodom & Ghomorra had been situated in Italy or no?_ And yet this Man was by no means a fool._"

Aside from the major eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD, there have been various levels of volcanic activity at Mt. Vesuvius since, including some period of lava effusion in 1776/1777 when Kinloch would have visited.

[bills-bible-basics]

DESTRUCTION OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH: A WARNING TO MODERN SOCIETY -- a Bill's Bible Basics Article This #BillsBibleBasics article by #BillKochman can be read online at the following URL: https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/destruction-sodom-gomorrah-1.html https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/destruction-of-sodom-and-gomorrah-a-warning-to-modern-society-a-bills-bible-basics-article/?feed_id=99479&_unique_id=65404ab710b46&DESTRUCTION%20OF%20SODOM%20AND%20GOMORRAH%3A%20A%20WARNING%20TO%20MODERN%20SOCIETY%20--%20a%20Bill%27s%20Bible%20Basics%20Article