Further Information Regarding Judgments

Previously we talked about licentious ways, which are the teachings of false teachers and in times past, false prophets. I would like to explore if possible the examples of Sodom, Gomorrah and Balaam. Mixed into this will be Lot and his example, though flawed that he was.

Sodom and Gomorrah and the rescue of Lot

Throughout both Testaments of the Bible, Sodom and Gomorrah are symbols or a byword for immortality (see Isaiah 1:9, 10; Isaiah 3:9; Isaiah 13:19; Jeremiah 49:18; Jeremiah 50:40; Amos 4:11; Matthew 10:15; and Romans 9:29). In Genesis chapter 18, verses 16-32 we find Abraham pleading with God for the lives of those that lived in Sodom. Abraham starts by asking if there are 50 righteous people if God would spare the city. Soon Abraham had bargained down asking that if there was only 10 righteous souls that God would spare the city. God said he would spare the city for as few as 10 righteous people.

We all should know the story. The angels came to Sodom and within the city they could only find Lot, his wife, and his two daughters as the only righteous persons. Even at that, his wife turned and looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt. So truly there was only three deserving to be rescued or saved.

Peter makes a clear distinction between lot and the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot was rescued because he was distressed by the licentiousness of the lawless. The conditions were so bad in Sodom that Lot’s heart ached for the people. This illustration of Lot also serves to illustrate that the Lord knows how and will recue the Godly from trial (II Peter 2:9).

False Teachers and the Path of Balaam

In II Peter 2:1-16, Peter attacks false teachers with all the zeal he can muster. They revel in the daytime (verse 13); they have eyes full of adultery (verse 14); and they entice unsteady souls (verse14). They left the straight path by following the path of Balaam son of Bosor (verse 15). The book of Numbers from chapter 22:1 – 24:25 describe, what happened with Balaam. The elders of Moab and Midian had tried to hire Balaam to curse the tribes of Israel. At first he refused, but was later persuaded when offered a larger sum of money. God prevented him from pronouncing a curse, instead substituting three blessings instead of curses. Peter reaction against Balaam was because he prepared to take money to perform spiritual services that are against the best interests of God’s and His people.

Having been unsuccessful, Balaam then in order to keep his ill-gotten gain, tempted the children of Israel to commit adultery with the temple prostitutes of the Moabites and Mediante’s.

A false teach will stop at no means to persuade others to disregard God’s law and they are willing to even do it in broad daylight or in the darkness of the night. It makes no difference to them, they seek by trickery to increase their own goods, at the expense of others salvation.