Altogether According to the Outcry

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 107:1-22

Psalm 107:1–22 ESV

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he shatters the doors of bronze and cuts in two the bars of iron. Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction. Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Scripture Memorization: Genesis 50:19-20

Genesis 50:19–20 “But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Scripture Reading: Romans 1:26-32

Romans 1:26–32 ESV

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Sermon:

Well once again, and as always, good morning church.

I was certainly glad when they said to me let us go and Worship in the house of the Lord.

Well, this morning, we dive deep into and we'll read the bulk of. The The Narrative, The Saga. Of Sodom and Gomorrah, and God's destruction of these two Great cities!

And it's important to remember our context in a couple different ways. The first is to remember back to last week where Abraham was pleading with God. So before we were even introduced to the cities, before we've seen and understand the sinfulness of Sodom — which we will get to in depth and detail today— Last week, we we were just introduced by showing in this comical, and ridiculous in many ways, story. Abraham was pleading with God: “Well, what if you just find 50 righteous people in the whole city?” God says, “okay, then I'll relent”. And even Abraham knows. There's no way you're finding 50 righteous people in Sodom. So, what if it's 45? And 40, and Abraham continued. Abraham continues, bargaining God, down from 50, 45, 40 30, 20, 10. At the end, Abraham is like, what if God, what if we could only find 10 righteous people in the whole city? Would you still destroy it. If all we find is 10?, and God says I will not, Genesis 18:32: for the sake of 10, I will not destroy.

And so we already get this picture that this is a vile and wicked city. But just how Wicked is it? Well, actually, another even earlier verse can help us understand. Before Abraham barters if we remember back not 2 whole weeks... he's being visited by one identified as the Lord and two men that we learn explicitly today are angels. And this is what the Lord says,

Genesis 18:20–21 “Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me.”

And it turns out they have done all together According to the outcry. it is just as bad as advertised, if not worse.

And so I'd like to say: you have been warned. The sin of Sodom and Gomorrah is grave and it is graphic. It's not the sort of thing that we would talk about in “polite Society”. And yet, here we are. Confronted with the depth of depravity and the wickedness of sin, so we will not shy away from this sin. We will confront it, head on. For, God will confront this sin head on. As he sees fits to judge the wickedness. Of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Our text for today is Genesis chapter 19, verses 1 through 22. This gets us to right before God will destroy them, so really in store for us today is like 80 percent of the story we will end moments before God destroys them.

So, Genesis 19, starting in verse 1.

Genesis 19:1–22 ESV

The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know them.” Lot went out to the men at the entrance, shut the door after him, and said, “I beg you, my brothers, do not act so wickedly. Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.” But they said, “Stand back!” And they said, “This fellow came to sojourn, and he has become the judge! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” Then they pressed hard against the man Lot, and drew near to break the door down. But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door. Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place. For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” So Lot went out and said to his sons-in-law, who were to marry his daughters, “Up! Get out of this place, for the Lord is about to destroy the city.” But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be jesting. As morning dawned, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be swept away in the punishment of the city.” But he lingered. So the men seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.” And Lot said to them, “Oh, no, my lords. Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die. Behold, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one. Let me escape there—is it not a little one?—and my life will be saved!” He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken. Escape there quickly, for I can do nothing till you arrive there.” Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

These are the words of the Lord for us this morning. Let's open our time together with a word of prayer.

Oh Lord, O Lord, how Majestic is your name in all the Earth! You are The Sovereign and righteous judge of all things. The Creator, the sustainer, the one who upholds the universe by the power of your word. The one who will one day make account for all evil deeds. We come before you in humility. Knowing that you are righteous, and we ask that you would reveal yourself to us that we would see clearly, even In this passage, your goodness, your Justice, your righteousness and strength.. but also Your mercy. As you have shown Mercy to lot, may we Revel in all of the good things that you have done for us as well. It's in Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

This passage is one of the ones that are on my list. If you have been here for a while you might know what list I am talking about, but it is the list of passages that are more difficult and I really would rather not have to preach through it some days... This is on the short list of more difficult passages to preach through in Genesis. Mostly because we truly are confronted with the the vile depravity of the sinfulness of man.

Not one person in this story... Save the angels... not one person in this story is innocent and does not show us in some sense the wickedness of their own heart. And so God will deal harshly. And yet, even in God dealing harshly with this city still there is Grace. Even in the midst of the most vile and difficult sinful scene that we will come to in the Book of Genesis, at least for the first most of it. God is still merciful. And so, as we walk through this story, I want us to just see how the destruction came about, how it is “altogether According to the outcry” against this city, and yet how God moves and works in the midst of all of these things.

And so the first thing we have to focus on here is, is, we actually don't start with the city. We focus on lot- Abraham’s nephew. And what strikes us in the beginning Is what I have called lots “hostile Hospitality.”

Lot’s HOSTILE HOSPITALITY

And I was very intentional here because. I have to note that with a passage like this where sin is being confronted, we need to be very careful.

Because the world does not like its sin being called out. No one — But especially those unrepentant sinners we call “the world” — No one likes the sin that dwells in their heart to be called sin. We all wish we could just go along with our life, just happily sinning, never being confronted with the vileness of our sin. And so when we come to a passage like this one where there is a particular sort of sin that is called out and shown to be worthy of God's Wrath and judgment. There are many who will do everything they can to minimize that sin.

I told Desiree Last night maybe being a bit rude and I should try and be more kind… but I Had to read a lot of things by a lot of idiots this week in preparation for this message. And usually I Don’t feel the need to share with you what foolish things people share about a passage, but in this case I think I kind of do. and that is because there is what appears to be a systematic and intentional warping and distorting of God’s word so that we can avoid calling something that is sinful, sinful.

And so, though, and we will get to this. The sin of Sodom is clearly - Read the text at face value! The sin of Sodom is clearly that the men of this city Endeavor to, desire to, rape and murder these two men. There are some who will say no, no. The sin of Sodom is just a “lack of hospitality”. Which again, God is going to destroy the city and all that is in it because they were not as hospitable as Abraham was? Seems absurd. and more than that: Lot, it turns out, is extraordinarily hospitable.

As the men, here angels in verse 1, come, he bows before them. He shows his humility.

Genesis 19:1–2 “The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.”

As these men are walking by lot, offers them Hospitality, come into my house. He will make for them. Verse 3 tells us a feast he'll bake on leavened bread. He's offering them a place to say shelter and food. Lot IS being very hospitable. In fact, he's being so hospitable, it might come across... It's a little forceful.

He first says, come on, in wash your feet, come to my house. And what do they say? No, we're good. We'll just stay in the city Square. Contextually speaking. That should have been a safe place. This is what would normally happen in this time and in this area. The City Square would be the safe place if you were visiting the city. You could go camp there in the shelter of the city walls protectED and safe from those who would seek to do your harm. There would be, you would think, no thieves and robbers in the City Square.

And so the the Angelic visitors here, these two angels saying, no, we'll just stay in the City Square. That would be normal. But what does Lot say?

Verse 3 says the ESV. “He pressed them strongly”. One of my commentaries says, that's not even right. He manhandled them. He twisted their arm. So much so that they relented to lots forceful, Almost hostile, push for them to stay inside of his house.

And so, at the first point, we can just start to see, like, lot really wants them to stay in his house. Why?

Part of it is likely Lot was one of those people that would not take no for an answer. “I am going to bless you and you are going to like it!” type of people. But there is more going On for certain.

While these angels claim, we'll just stay in the City Square because that's where we'll be safe. Lot knows that is not the case. Lot is not surprised by the events that will unfold over the course of the night. Lot’s insistence that they stay in his house is in one sense, him trying to shelter and protect these from the danger that Lot is certain will befall them.

So is the sin of Sodom “altogether According to the outcry against the city”, I think so. When even the safest place is no longer safe and a resident of the city has to forcefully persuade these men to come stay in his house for their own safety. Things have gotten bad. When the men of this city are so obsessed and overwhelmed with their sin that this city that then there is no longer a safe harbor or Haven it is a huge problem.

And it turns out that Lot thinks his house might be safe, but it is only safe because of the supernatural provision and protection of God. Even Lot's house is not safe in this city. Nowhere is safe. Nowhere is good. Nowhere do you find shelter and respite from the abounding sinfulness that is here in Sodom.

Even Lot’s hospitality betrays that the sin is greater. Lots persistence to persuade these visitors “come stay in My house” gives Credence to the fact that things are extraordinarily bad here.

Well, how bad are they? Well, for the next set of verses. Really verses 4 through 14, We see Sodom's wanton wickedness.

Sodom’s WANTON WICKEDNESS

Wanton is a blatant… If you look it up, it means (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked. I couldn't think of a more apt word to describe what's going on here in Sodom. it is both cruel and violent, and it is certainly deliberate and unprovoked.

If we remember back, Abraham was like pleading with God God. If we can just find 10. And God says, for the sake of ten, I will not destroy. And so, as Moses is writing this, he's sure to show in the language he uses. There's not 10 righteous. There's no one!

Genesis 19:4 “But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both young and old, all the people to the last man, surrounded the house.”

The whole city's there. The whole city is there banging down the doors? So, did we find 10 righteous? No? So on the docket, then God said, if we find 10, we won't destroy it. Well, we didn't find. 10 what's that mean? destruction is coming! It's going to happen!

So then, over the course of this night. Their wickedness is on display, so that by the time we get to the end. There is no doubt or thought in our mind that they do not deserve everything that they are about to get. So, every last man comes down and they are banging on Lot’s door. They are calling to Lot. They're banging on the doors. Verse five tells us what they are saying: “Where are the men bring them out to us, that we may know them.”

We've said this and seen this before, earlier in Genesis but let us make this VERY clear. They're not asking for an introduction, that is NOT what “that we may know them” means.

Genesis 4:1 “Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain” So whatever “know means… it includes actions that would cause a child to come into this world.

Then Genesis 4:25 “And Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son”

Right? So, this word can't mean an introduction if Adam knew his wife again. So this is a sexual encounter that these men are pushing for. Let us bring them out that we may know them. How do we know they don't just want an introduction, because look how Lot responds. he says. Verse 7, I beg of you, do not act so wickedly.

How could it ever be Wicked to ask to know someone if it's just a introduction? Lot is saying, do not act in this vile, evil, wicked way because They have come to rape and murder these men. Don't be so wicked Lot says.

Behold… and at this point we're just stacking up our case against these people. Behold, I have two daughters who have not “known” any man.

So again. If someone wants to say, well, Hospitality is the sin and, and they just want to be “introduced”. And that's the problem that's going on here... His daughters have never known any man. His daughters, who the text tells us, are betrothed to men have never been introduced and met any man… No!

Especially when he says they are virgins and have not known a man. We know exactly what lot is saying, and so we know exactly what Sodom is after. And so Lot offers his daughters. Which is bad! But even this will not appease the Raging wrath and sinful desire of the city of Sodom.

They say, stand back. And in fact, they call Lot out. Wait a second Lot. You're not of this city. You're just a Sojourner. You're just a guy who likes to sit at our gate and pretend… You don't belong here, and you're going to judge us. You're calling us Wicked that's a joke. And they seek. To do worse to Lot worse than they are threatening to do to these men.

So again, we need to have clear eyes about the sinfulness of this city: What has lot done to offend them so greatly? He has said “Please don't do this to these strangers”. And he has also said: “here, do whatever you want to my daughters” and the men of this city are filled with rage and hatred and murderous intent in their heart. As they seek to destroy lot.

Subsequently they seek to break the door down and it is only by God's intervention that Lot and these two are saved.

Genesis 19:10–11 “But the men reached out their hands and brought Lot into the house with them and shut the door. And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great”

So, what does God do? He strikes with blindness to defeat the lustful intent of these men. He makes them blind.

How Wicked is Sodom? Well, it is “altogether, according to the outcry that is against this city”, because even being struck with blindness will not stop them.

Genesis 19:11 “And they struck with blindness the men who were at the entrance of the house, both small and great, so that they wore themselves out groping for the door.”

They are struck blind and not one of them is like, you know, maybe… maybe it's a bad idea? Instead, they wear themselves out, trying to find the door to continue with their intent to harm and hurt. How Wicked is Sodom? This is as wicked as it gets. This is “altogether, according to the outcry.”

And so left with these angels and lot… And this scene, Were it not so vile and sinful it's so absurd as to be comical.

Lot and these men are sitting in their house while outside of the door. Are is a city full of blind men who can't even find the doorstep who want to do harm to these three. And so what do the Angels say?

Genesis 19:12 “Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone you have in the city, bring them out of the place.”

Credit to lot for trying to protect the Angels. He's going to lose some points because offering your daughters not the way to do this. But he sought to protect them, and so they will in turn offer him protection and safety. Not just him. Okay Lot... Is there anyone else, sons-in-laws, daughters, Anyone in this city?

We are destroying this city. It's done. You will get to escape. Is there anyone else? So Lot goes out again, if we just picture this. These blind fools... And I don't say that word lightly. These blind fools are stumbling around, seeking to try to harm lot and these two visitors. A Lot goes out. And he finds his son-in-laws. He says up, get out of this place. the Lord's about to destroy the city.

And we can read into this. And maybe we should read into this. These two men? Are they a part of both young and old All the people to the last man in the city? yeah. Were they part of this Crowd this throng? Probably. That's what the text says, how we should read the text.

And yet a lot is willing to go out with them. So they have seen their sin. They've even participated. They have experienced the blindness, probably right. Why else are you saying, get up? Probably because they are also part of the people that have worn themselves out. Lot goes to these two and says up, get out of here. The city's about to be destroyed? But he seemed to his son-in-laws to be joking.

No, it's not a joke. God's not joking. No sir. he's not. SO here more wicked sinful heart is revealed.

God's not going to destroy this city. It's not that big a deal. We, we were just joking, God's not going to destroy the city. Maybe God can't destroy this city? This is the city of Sodom. Though, if that's their thought. This is a rather short-term memory loss problem, because just a few chapters ago, the Coalition of Kings had destroyed it. The King of Sodom was hiding out in the tar pits.. like it was bad and Abraham came and saved them... so if they think God can't get us here, they're sorely confused. But whatever it is, they're like It's actually not that bad.

Again, the wickedness of Sodom on display. Those who've seen and experienced it still even think God's judgment can't come. So vile that being struck by blindness will not stop them so vile that when being offered...being offered a sinful substitution, their heart is so set on the sin. They desire that they are filled with even more rage and murderous intent. It does not get any worse than Sodom.

So, what do we end with? Lot’s Continual compromise.

Lot’s CONTINUAL COMPROMISE

Here's where we see God's grace magnified and just astounding ways. Cuz if we just? Where did you just end right there at the end of verse 14? This city deserves everything that's coming to. Turns out this city and everyone around them because, At a minimum, all these neighboring cities put up with all of the sin of Sodom. In all likelihood, they participated and were the same.

The Angels. Come say up, take your wife, take your daughters, take everyone or else you will be destroyed.

Genesis 19:16 “But he lingered.

What are you doing lot? God is going to destroy this city. You're lingering. Come on Lot… They threatened to kill you last night... Why are you lingering?

Because of Lot’s, continual compromise. Continuing in verse 16: “So the men seized him and his wife and his daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him and set him outside the city”

Don’t miss this: God's mercy grabs Lot and forcefully removes him from this sinful situation. God's mercy grabs lot by the hand and forces him and his wife and daughters outside of the city, God's mercy forcefully moves Lot.

Genesis 19:17 “And as they brought them out, one said, “Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley.”

This is the message of these angels: Do not look back. Do not stop anywhere. Do not pass go. Do not collect 200… get out of here, lot. We said we're gonna destroy it.

The full story is then they said: Go get your sons sons-in-law. They don't want to come. So they said it's time to go. You still linger, we're taking you outside of the city, listen to us now, lot leave now. Don't linger, don't wait, don't dawdle. Just go go. Now, go far. We are destroying this place. Escape to the hills, or else you will be swept away in the tide of God's Wrath. Even here we see this juxtaposition of Grace and wrath. God's mercy forcefully removed lot from the city, but God's Wrath is a sweeping tide that will destroy all who stand against him.

Both of these can be true.

And Lot is still compromising. Oh no, Lords, behold, your. I found favor.

Genesis 19:19 “Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life. But I cannot escape to the hills, lest the disaster overtake me and I die.”

Behold, verse 19, I have found favor in your sight. You have shown me kindness, but? But. I can't go to the hills, the hills. Like, sure, Sodom and Gomorrah are bad, but you want me to go to the hills? What if some danger befalls me in the Hills? And this is absurd. Just if we think about how insane Lot sounds here. The night before, these men tried to murder him. He was only saved by the miracle of God striking the men of the city blind… And God's saying, my wrath, which will destroy and Conquer all sin and sinners. My wrath is being poured out against Sodom.… And Lot’s concerned that it's dangerous in the Hills.

So, what does Lot say? Let me go to this little city. We end up finding the name of the city is Zoar and Zoar means “little”. I don’t want to go to the hills… I want to go to little city of little...

In many ways, Lot here is pleading with God the same way Abraham did. He's saying, well. Okay, you're destroying the big cities. Can you spare the little one? And so yes even here, in the midst of God's Wrath being poured out, God Relents.

Genesis 19:21 “He said to him, “Behold, I grant you this favor also, that I will not overthrow the city of which you have spoken.”

So, after protecting him the night before, by blinding the crowd around him by protecting him... Then protecting him by telling him go get those close because I am going to destroy the city, so you need to leave take who you want… by the next morning when he woke up, by protecting him again by saying, you can go now... by after lot lingered, taking him by the hand and forcing him outside of the city by allowing lot to plead… there is still more grace and mercy as the mercy of God is still extended, and God says, behold, I grant you this favor. Also, I will not overthrow the city, of which you have spoken.

Goto Zoar. And get there quickly. Because I'm not going to do anything until you're safe.

Lots here compromise and compromise and compromise and compromise, and God's grace is still extended. His Mercy is still shown. Even in the midst of this, the most vile, sinful scene in that we can seem to imagine in our minds. The sinfulness of Sodom being proven to be “altogether, according to the outcry against them”. Their sin is great and grave. God's mercy is still on display.

Even though Lot himself is willing to compromise. One of my commentaries said Zoar, because it's a city here in the same region as Sodom and Gomorrah was probably just as guilty as those two cities. And it seems like Lot in his heart just cannot bear to part with just a little bit of Sodom.

It turns out... We'll get to the end of this story, even Zoar. He will have to leave for fear of his own life… so there is that…

But Just note this here Just. God's grace!

So, how do we apply this to our lives? To start I think that It's not by going around and calling everyone Wicked. as wicked as wicked Sodom. I don't think that's the point.

I think the point here is to see that God's grace is available and his Mercy saves. In the midst of and in spite of all of the sin that rages around us. There is no cap. To the depth of God's mercy. And so, even as we read here of the wickedness of Sodom. Our hearts should be moved to see the goodness and grace of God. Though these creatures who were made in His Image, have so polluted and corrupted that image by doing what is right in their own eyes. Still. Is Grace?

Though God's invisible attributes. Are seen in creation. They seek to deny the truth of God and replace it. With a lie. And yet, God. Still here is working and moving.

God will save to the uttermost all who call upon Jesus.

Then even more so: Praise be to God that sometimes he forcibly has had to grab me by the hand to save me from my sin. He does. And when my hearts lingers? He still moves. And as I personally struggle sometimes with compromise. His grace is still a balance. The Angels told Lot: “Hey Lot, you need to get out of here. You need to do it fast. We won't destroy anything until you're safe in Zoar.” Because this is how God operates.

Second, Peter, chapter 3 verse 9

Is maybe the the most explicit verse that could get this point across to us?

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

So, what Peter's saying is We just long for Jesus to come back. Amen! Come, Lord, Jesus come. May he come back quickly, and it may feel slow, but he's he's not slow. Because to to try to get us the context of what we're talking about in Genesis. Because there are still some that need to reach the safety of Zoar.

So God is relenting. God is patient. but note his wrath is still coming, and Peter even acknowledges

2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”

So, though now, we may live in a time where we wait. Know that God's justice is coming. And do not mistake his grace to, allowing some to escape to safety. Don't mistake that for God's overlooking and and not caring about Sin. Sin Is an affront to a holy God, and it will be dealt with.

But know God's grace and mercy, even in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. We see it here may we see it in our own lives.

Let's pray.