Sodom and Gomorrah

Story Snapshot

God reveals to Abraham His intent to judge Sodom and Gomorrah for their grievous sin. Abraham intercedes, pleading for the cities to be spared for the sake of the righteous. God sends angels who rescue Abraham's nephew Lot and his family before destroying the cities. Lot's wife looks back and is lost. The judgment falls, but mercy preserves a remnant.

Main Characters

Story Summary

The LORD, appearing to Abraham, revealed that the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was great and that He would go down to see their sin. Abraham interceded, asking whether God would sweep away the righteous with the wicked, and bargaining from fifty righteous people down to ten, each time God agreeing to spare the city for their sake. Two angels went to Sodom, where Lot showed them hospitality. The men of the city surrounded the house with violent intent, and the angels struck them with blindness. The angels urged Lot to gather his family and flee, for God would destroy the place. At dawn they hurried Lot, his wife, and his daughters out, warning them not to look back. Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah, destroying the cities and the plain. Lot's wife looked back and became a pillar of salt. Abraham looked toward the cities and saw the smoke rising. God had remembered Abraham and brought Lot out of the catastrophe.

Timeline

• The DisclosureGod reveals His intent to judge the cities.
• The IntercessionAbraham pleads for the righteous to be spared.
• The Angels ArriveMessengers come to Sodom; Lot hosts them.
• The ViolenceThe city's wickedness is exposed.
• The RescueThe angels lead Lot's family out.
• The WarningThey are told not to look back.
• The DestructionFire falls; Lot's wife looks back and is lost.

Themes

What This Story Means

This account holds together God's justice and His mercy without softening either. God does judge persistent, grievous wickedness, but He also listens to intercession and goes to great lengths to rescue the righteous. Abraham's bargaining reveals a God who is genuinely willing to spare many for the sake of a few. The rescue of Lot, hesitant and imperfect, shows mercy that is not earned. Lot's wife stands as a warning against clinging to what God is calling us to leave. The passage teaches that judgment is real, but so is the God who remembers His people and delivers them from it.

Bringing It Home

• Take seriously that God judges persistent wickedness.
• Intercede for others, even those who seem beyond hope.
• Do not cling to what God is calling you to leave behind.
• Trust that God remembers and rescues His people.

Key Verse

Did You Know?

• Abraham's plea is one of the Bible's great examples of intercession.
• Jesus refers to Lot's wife as a warning to His followers.
• The region near the Dead Sea is associated with these cities.

Read Next

What This Shows Us About God

• God judges justly and never punishes the righteous with the wicked.
• God welcomes and responds to intercession.
• God remembers His people and rescues them.

What This Shows Us About People

• Wickedness can become entrenched in a whole society.
• People hesitate even when rescue is offered.
• Looking back can cost us the deliverance ahead.

A Question to Sit With

Who is God prompting me to intercede for, even if they seem far gone?

Prayer

Righteous Judge, You do what is right and yet delight to rescue. Give me Abraham's boldness to intercede for others, and Lot's willingness to leave behind what You call me to flee. Thank You that You remember and deliver Your people. Amen.