"Hear YHVH's Word, you captains of Sodom. Listen to the teachings of our Elohim,
you people of Gomorroh." Isaiah 1:10
These harsh words by Isaiah the prophet, were not spoken to Sodom and Gomorrah, but rather, to the people of YHVH ~ Israel!
What did Israel do to deserve to be called 'Sodom' and 'Gomorrah'? What was the
connection between Sodom, and the Jerusalem that Isaiah so criticized?
Isaiah lived when both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah were going through spiritual and
moral decline. Consequently, his earlier prophesies foresaw the exiles of both the Northern Kingdom of Israel under Assyria,
which took place in his lifetime, and ultimately the Southern Kingdom of Judah. (Isa 39:6-7)
But Isaiah also had deeply inspiring words of encouragement for Israel and for the world at large. He repeatedly stressed
that Israel's exiles and the Divine punishments it suffered, will be temporary, and that YHVH will eventually redeem His people
and settle them permanently in His Land. At that blessed time they will not only live under His constant care and guidance,
but they will also raise the moral and ethical levels of the other nations.
Isaiah related YHVH's Word to His people, declaring that the real threat to Judah and Jerusalem was not simply the might
of Assyria, the great international power of the time, but the nation's own sin ~ abandoning the Torah, and lack
of faith. The Northern Kingdom - Israel - was hurtling down in its spiritual decay, with defeat and exile on the
way, while the Southern Kingdom - Judah - the subject of Isaiah's opening prophecy - was moving along the same downhill
path. Isaiah's prophecies over Jerusalem differed from Amos and Micah, who also lived in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. The
bulk of their prophecies were against the errant and more prosperous Northern Kingdom - away from their home territory. By
contrast, Isaiah opened by addressing the situation on his own doorstep - the Holy City of Jerusalem. (Isa 1:1)
Staying firmly on home ground and confronting the evils in one's own home is much more difficult than seeing the faults
in other places.
Like Moses, in Deut 32:1, Isaiah called on Creation (Isa 1:2) to witness YHVH's message to the people of Jerusalem - which
consisted of four themes:
1. Rebuke - Where other prophets, such as Hosea, spoke of Israel as an unfaithful wife, Isaiah talked of the 'children'
whom YHVH raised, and who rebelled against Him. "Even an ox knows his owner, and a donkey
knows his master's feeding trough. But Israel does not know, My people do not perceive." Isa 1:2-3
Isaiah was particularly harsh towards the leaders of the Southern Kingdom - calling them "The Chiefs of Sodom".
(1:10) He brought the word of Yahveh, telling them how He despises their hypocricy in their elaborate religious ceremonies
and displays of prayer on one side, coupled with their wide spread social injustice on the other. "How the faithful city has become like a harlot," exclaimed Isaiah. "Once it was full of justice, and righteousness lived within; but now - murderers... Your princes are wayward and associates
of thieves, they all love bribes and pursue gifts. They do not judge the orphan, and the widow's case does not reach them." Isa 1:21-23
2. Warning of what was to come if the people did not repent - the Land of Judah would become desolate, burnt by
fire, and devoured by foreigners. (1:7) Although Jerusalem did not actually fall at the time, it barely survived - "the daughter
of Zion being left like a hut in the vineyard, as a besieged city." Isa 1:8
3. Guidance - the only way Judah could avoid future disaster was for the people to change their priorities and
ways. Restoring dignity and justice for the helpless, destitute, and less protected classes of society - represented by
the orphan and the widow, must come before Temple offerings and prayer: "Learn to do good.
Devote yourself to justice. Aid the wronged. Uphold the rights of the orphan. Defend the cause of the widow." Isa 1:17
4. Comfort - The people of Jerusalem had to go through the 'cleansing fire' of their enemy, because they rejected
the Cleansing Power of Yahveh's Commandments and did not listen to his warnings. YHVH had to first use suffering to reform
the people, before He could bring restoration to His Holy City: "I will restore your judges
as of old, and your advisers as you had long ago. Afterwards you will be called "City of Righteousness, Faithful City." Isa 1:26-27
Zion will be redeemed through Justice, and those who repent, through Righteousness ~ YHVH is their Righteous Judge.
Isaiah, like Hosea, Amos and Jeremiah, rebuked the peoples for bringing Temple offerings while neglecting YHVH's Commandments
and moral/social decency. Jeremiah, witnessing the destruction of Jerusalem more than a century later, declared: "The sin of my people became greater than the sin of Sodom." Lam 4:6 Isaiah
made a similar comparison: "Hear YHVH's Word, you captains of Sodom! Listen to the teachings
of our Elohim, you people of Gomorroh." Isa 1:10
What is the connection between the people of Jerusalem and the people of Sodom? Why did the Prophet select specifically
Sodom? Surely there were many degenerate nations living at that time that would have made suitable comparison, without having
to delve into ancient history?
The Torah testifies that Sodom was prosperous and successful - "like the Garden of
Elohim, like the Land of Egypt." Gen 13:10 Egypt and Mesopotamia were the most sophisticated
civilizations of that age. Lot, who himself was wealthy (Gen 13:5-6) fit well into that society. He was welcomed to Sodom
because he was a worthwhile investment. By contrast, the two 'uninvited guests' (Gen 19:1) who appeared to be a drain on the
economy, did not fit in.
Isaiah highlighted the things that YHVH hated. "I am fed up with your burnt offerings!
Your incense is offensive to me! I hate your New Moons and Festivals - they are a burden to Me, and I cannot bear them! When
you spread your hands in prayer, I will turn my eyes away from you. As much as you pray, I will not listen."
Isa 1:13-15
There are two basic reasons why a person may spend a long time in prayer. 1. A deep and genuine intercession - he might
be so deeply involved that he forgets the time. 2. Desire to appear 'holy' - going through all the motions so that others
will notice his 'piety'. Isaiah also railed against the elaborate voluntary festival offerings at the Temple, that
were made to impress others with wealth and make those people with less to feel worthless.
What was the connection between Sodom, and the Jerusalem that Isaiah criticized? Both were helping themselves, not others.
The people of Jerusalem act out of self-interest, as did the people of Sodom, and worse - they wrapped their acts in false
'holiness' ~ but YHVH could not be fooled.
"Zion will be redeemed through justice, and those who repent, through righteousness." Isa 1:27
The fundamental sin of Israel was serving self ~ They will be redeemed when they learn to serve the needs of others.
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