Warning lights in Sodom.
I. THE FLICKERING LIGHT OF LOT'S PIETY.
1. That the light of Lot's piety was still burning, though he had long been subjected to the moral contamination of the licentious Pentapolis, is apparent from—
2. That the light of Lot's piety, though still burning, was fast fading, may be gathered from the circumstances—
II. THE LURID LIGHT OF SODOM'S IMPIETY. Already well enough known as to its character, the wickedness of Sodom is at length unveiled in all its revolting features and frightful dimensions. The history of that last night in the doomed city proclaimed the sin of Sodom to be—
1. Unnatural. In the unbridled license of their appetites they had far outstripped common sinners; even the natural brute beasts they had left behind; they had sunk to a monstrosity of wickedness of which shame forbids to speak. Paul enumerates their sin amongst the forms of impurity by which the heathen world has at times defiled itself (Romans 1:26, Romans 1:27).
2. Shameless. Disgusting and repulsive as their 'wickedness was, instead of shrinking into darkness and doing it in secret, they openly proclaimed their filthiness, and would have gratified their lusts in public. It is a lower deep in moral degradation when one not only does "those things which are not convenient," but glories in his shame (Philippians 3:19).
3. Violent. This marked a third degree in the wickedness of Sodom, that, rather than be baulked of their lewd design, the citizens were prepared to set at naught the laws of hospitality, which insured the safety of strangers within their city, and, if need were, the rights of property, by breaking into Lot's house, and, still further, the liberties of the person, by laying hands on the objects of their unhallowed lusts. Ordinary sinners are satisfied if they can gratify an unholy impulse without an undue expenditure of crime; these were ready to trample on all laws of God and man to accomplish their desire, "adding sin to sin" (Isaiah 30:1).
4. Obdurate. Even when struck with blindness they did not discontinue their impious attempt. They wearied themselves groping about in the darkness, but it was still in an endeavor "to find the door." Common sinners pause when confronted with the just judgments of Heaven; these were only maddened into greater fury (Psalms 73:7). And, to complete the picture, this appalling wickedness was—
5. Universal. From all quarters and of all ages they clustered and clamored round the door of Lot's house. There does not seem to have been any dissension in the multitude. They were all of one mind. Could anything more signally attest Sodom's ripeness for destruction?
Learn—
1. How rapidly a good man can deteriorate in evil company.
2. How completely a nation can resist the ameliorating influences of its good men.
3. How disgustingly repulsive sin is when fully developed.