Isaiah 13:19

SODOM AND GOMORRAH

Isaiah 13:19. And Babylon, the glory of the kingdoms, &c.

The anticipated destruction of Babylon is here compared to that of Sodom and Gomorrah, because of its completeness, and because of the hopelessness of any return of that city to its former glory (Isaiah 13:20). The fate of Sodom and Gomorrah should be pondered, not merely because it is here used as a symbol of the fate of Babylon, but also because of the solemn lessons it affords in relation to sin. That memorable overthrow occurred—I. As a Divine vengeance upon long-continued and unmitigated wickedness (Genesis 18:20). II. Notwithstanding the influence of a good man in their midst (2 Peter 2:7). A man like Lot, even though he perhaps suffered injury to his own character, could not live among people like the Sodomites without being a witness for better things and a testimony against their crimes. III. Notwithstanding the fervent intercessions on their behalf of an eminently godly man (Genesis 18:23, &c.). IV. The overthrow came at last without any suspicion on the part of their guilty inhabitants that their doom was so near (Proverbs 29:1).

But why dwell upon a fate so awful, and that occurred so long ago? Because it is a solemn warning to men to-day. Listen to our Saviour’s teaching on this point (Matthew 11:20). From this we learn that the fate of those who reject Christ will be more severe even than that which befell those guilty cities—

1. Because of clearer light against which they sinned. It cannot be in any way a trivial thing to possess the Gospel (2 Corinthians 2:16).

2. Because of the more abundant opportunities of salvation which were afforded them.
3. Because of the more abundant and excellent examples set before them.
4. Because of the multiplied examples of warning to which they should have given heed.—William Manning.