I think the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah has much to teach us these days about God’s righteous anger toward those who are inhospitable, proud, violent, and unconcerned with caring for the poor and the stranger (following Ezekiel 16:49-50).

God visits Abraham in the form of three angels, and Abraham is not only an exceptional host (Genesis 18:1-8), but he also dares to bargain with God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah from destruction (Genesis 18:16-33).

Although Lot fulfills the duties of a host when the angels visit him, he is not as generous and hospitable as his uncle (Genesis 19:1-3). A mob soon comes to Lot’s house to brutalize and humiliate his honored guests (Genesis 19:4-5).

Lot utterly fails as a father by offering his daughters to the mob to be raped (Genesis 19:4-8). Enraged by the offer, the mob derides Lot for being a resident alien in their city (Genesis 19:9).

Lot lingers, so the angels escort him and his family out, telling them to flee to the mountains (Genesis 19:15-17). Echoing Abraham’s bargaining with God for mercy, Lot bargains with them to allow him to flee to a nearby town while the cities are destroyed (Genesis 19:18-25).

So the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah clearly focuses on inhospitality and a lack of concern for the poor and the stranger, not gay people. The mob’s demand to rape the angels is a manifestation of this, not an expression of their sexual desire.

As followers of Jesus, we know that “many have entertained angels without knowing it” by practicing loving hospitality (Hebrews 13:2), and Jesus makes it clear that what is done for “the least of these my siblings” is done for Jesus himself (Matthew 25:40).

Making this story about God’s particular wrath against gay people makes it easy to avoid it’s demands of us: demands to open up our wallets, homes, and hearts to those who need shelter, food, and love—including precious LGBTQ+ folks. It’s convenient.

It makes me wonder how often a misunderstanding of this passage, empowered by hatred, has led followers of Christ to do everything that God says made Sodom guilty: kicking children out of their homes, refusing to serve people, fighting against their civil rights.

“Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me.” - Ezekiel 16:49-50