Chapter 14—Destruction of Sodom
This chapter is based on
Genesis 19
.
Fairest among the cities of the Jordan Valley was Sodom, set in a
plain which was “as the garden of the Lord” in its fertility and beauty.
Here the luxuriant vegetation of the tropics flourished. Here was
the home of the palm tree, the olive, and the vine; and flowers shed
their fragrance throughout the year. Rich harvests clothed the fields,
and flocks and herds covered the encircling hills. Art and commerce
contributed to enrich the proud city of the plain. The treasures of
the East adorned her palaces, and the caravans of the desert brought
their stores of precious things to supply her marts of trade. With little
thought or labor, every want of life could be supplied, and the whole
year seemed one round of festivity.
The profusion reigning everywhere gave birth to luxury and pride.
Idleness and riches make the heart hard that has never been oppressed
by want or burdened by sorrow. The love of pleasure was fostered
by wealth and leisure, and the people gave themselves up to sensual
indulgence. “Behold,” says the prophet, “this was the iniquity of thy
sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was
in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the
poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination
before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.”
Ezekiel 16:49,
50
. There is nothing more desired among men than riches and leisure,
and yet these gave birth to the sins that brought destruction upon the
cities of the plain. Their useless, idle life made them a prey to Satan’s
temptations, and they defaced the image of God, and became satanic
rather than divine. Idleness is the greatest curse that can fall upon man,
for vice and crime follow in its train. It enfeebles the mind, perverts
the understanding, and debases the soul. Satan lies in ambush, ready to
destroy those who are unguarded, whose leisure gives him opportunity
[157]
to insinuate himself under some attractive disguise. He is never more
successful than when he comes to men in their idle hours.
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