Sodom and Gomorrah: The Cities of Sulfur and Fire

You may be wondering what Sodom and Gomorrah are; you might not be familiar with these two names immediately, however, it is most likely that you have heard their story. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is mentioned across several religious texts, from the Bible to The Testament to the Quran. Sodom and Gomorrah are the names of the two cities destroyed by God as a punishment for committing adultery with the same gender. Let’s get into the depths.

A map of the Cities of the Plain where Sodom and Gomorrah lay

It is stated that God was very upset with the people residing within Sodom and Gomorrah, and Lot was aware of this. They were known for their despicable sin of homosexuality, as well as disobeying other commands of God. The inhabitant’s lust for men was an unprecedented sin in history at the time.

The men of Sodom and Gomorrah lusting after one another

Lot pleaded to God not to punish his people. According to Genesis, in chapter 19 it is said that two angels approached Lot who was waiting outside the gate of Sodom. The angels were given a task by God to find 10 righteous people within the two cities, if done so, all the inhabitants would be spared. Lot, like his uncle Abraham, was one of the righteous people in the city. When the two angels, disguised as men, approached him he provided them with hospitality. The men of the city saw these two angel-dressed men enter Lot’s house and they were very keen to meet them. They surrounded Lot’s house and beseeched Lot to allow them in. All the men of the city, the young and old, encircled the house. They desired to have sexual intercourse with these two lovely men.

The men trying to have intercourse with the angels

Lot defended these angels and protected them from the men. He instead offered his two virgin daughters. This meant Lot was pleading to the people to fornicate with his daughters instead of his new-found guests. However, the city’s men refused, as they were all homosexuals, they only eyed the angels who appeared as men.

An image of Lot with his two daughters

This event served as evidence for the angels that there were no righteous people left in Sodom or Gomorrah except for Lot and his family. The angels then told Lot and his family to leave the city immediately as God was going to obliterate it. Before Lot and his family escaped, the two angels blinded all the inhabitants of the two cities forewarning them of the eventual punishment from God that they were yet to receive.

Angels blinding the people

God commanded that no one look back at the destruction of the cities. As Lot and his family were leaving, the two cities were destroyed by pouring flames of sulfur and fire. Lot’s wife however disobeyed God’s command and looked back at the city as it was being destroyed, and because of her disobedience, she was turned into a pillar of salt.

Abraham, Lot, and his daughters escaped the catastrophe that struck Sodom and Gomorrah

The ideas portrayed in this myth are similar to the plethora of principles taught across other religions. The point being God’s command of the forbiddenness of same-sex relationships. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah were considered wicked evil for practicing homosexuality. This same moral concept is the idea portrayed in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Although widely accepted today, this was not accepted in the past and according to the religious texts of many religions, it is still not acceptable.

Another major idea represented in this myth is the idea that you cannot escape God’s punishment when you have disobeyed Him.

Proverbs 12:20 “Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces”.

The Bible states that you become like those who you hang out with; the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were all surrounded with homosexuals, so as a result they all suffered from God’s punishment and saw themselves “fall to pieces”. Different religions will have different beliefs, however, they all agree upon one idea, the sinners will be recompensed for their actions by God.

In the Epistle of Jude, it is mentioned {regarding Sodom and Gomorroh} that they were a city of people who were “giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, {so} were set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 1:7).

Shifting to the idea of fantastical creatures in religious narratives, they are mentioned in a wide range of forms in several religions to serve a unique purpose. Although some may argue whether they serve a theoretical fundamental motive. In some religions they are the creatures that need to be defeated in order to show a hero’s journey being accomplished, they are the tasks that must be overcome so that God’s subject is victorious. In other narratives, they explain difficult concepts that cannot be reasonable without a little fiction. In Lot’s stories, this would be the two angels. They are the reason how the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were blinded. Without Fantastical creatures, some concepts could just not be grasped as they are difficult to grasp.

Fantastical Creatures

My own personal opinion, and a theme that I’ve seen in numerous texts, is that those who show disobedience and ignorance to God’s commands will be left astray. They are usually the people that have turned a blind eye to God’s command and as merciful and forgiving God is, He is also severe in his punishment. No matter how mighty you are, none can flee from God’s wrath. In an Islamic context, Iblis at the time was an obedient servant of God. He was one of his highest-ranked jinns until his arrogance and spite grew after the creation of God. Even someone at such a high noble position can be cast out of heaven for contending God’s command. From that moment on, Iblis, now known as Satan, became God and mankind’s worst enemy and he pledged to manipulate all men starting from Adam. However, God promises him that on the day of resurrection, Satan will be cast in hell. From my experience, the good will be rewarded for their righteousness, but the disobeyers will face severe consequences for their insubordination.

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