It is very comfortable to think of Sodom as a city of thugs and perverts. After all, was that not the reason why YHVH decided to destroy it?

However, when we take a closer look at the Torah's presentation of these events, we see that Sodom was also a city with culture, and boasted a society not very different from our own.

Let's see why YHVH consultated with Abraham before destroying Sodom and how Abraham, as YHVH's 'chosen vessel', prayed to save her from certain destruction.

TWO STORIES CONNECTED

1)The news that Sarah will give birth to Isaac;

2)The story of Lot's rescue from Sodom. The most obvious connection are the angels who were involved in both stories. The same 'angel' who told Abraham about the birth of Isaac continued on to destroy Sodom. The question is: why was it necessary for the same angels who were to destroy Sodom to first stop and inform Abraham of Isaac's birth?  Considering that each angel was assigned only one mission, why must all three travel together?  Why did YHVH consult with Abraham before destroying Sodom, and how did it relate to Isaac?

"And YHVH said: Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham is to become a great nation, and through him all other nations will be blessed?  For I have singled him out in order that he will instruct his children and their family afterward to keep the way of YHVH by doing what is just and right... in order that I shall bring upon Abraham all that I have spoken about him."  (Gen 18:17-19)

First of all, remember YHVH's explicit reason for choosing Abraham (Gen 12:1-3) "I will make you a great nation.  Through you all the nations of the earth will be blessed."  After stating why He chose Abraham (in vs 18) YHVH explained how this will happen, by Abraham teaching his children and those children their children, etc. to do 'justice and judgement'. (in vs 19)  Abraham was expected to initiate a family tradition to create a nation that will be characterized by a "just and right" society - thus serving as YHVH's model nation. This pointed to the lack of "holiness and justice" in Sodom.

Preventing Future 'Sodoms'

When YHVH's master plan for the nation of Abraham materializes, societies such as Sodom could be saved, for there will be a 'model nation' from whom they can learn from. However, at that time, Sodom was a 'lost cause' for it lacked a minimal number of "tzadikim - righteous" who could possibly influence the rest of the city.

This concept is reflected in Abraham's petition that YHVH spare the doomed city. Abraham did not ask that YHVH simply save the "righteous" in Sodom.  He asked that the entire city be saved for the sake of those "tzadikim"! (Gen 18:26)  Why?  Because hopefully those "righteous" will lead all the people in Sodom towards repentence just as the nation of Abraham was destined to lead all mankind toward YHVH. But with less than ten, there was little chance that such a small number could exert enough influence to bring change.

It was YHVH's hope that Abraham's nation, by setting the proper example, will prevent the future emergence of similarly corrupt populations. As Isaac was the son through whom this tradition will be transmitted, it was meaningful that the same angels assigned to destroy Sodom must first 'plant the seeds' for the prevention of future 'Sodoms'.

Abraham tried to save Sodom despite knowing the inevitable. His prayer/petition was his 'calling', the very purpose for which he was selected.  To be an example to his son Isaac and to all future generations (us included).

Abraham vs. Sodom

In the book of Genesis, Sodom represents the oposite of everything for which Abraham stands.  Lot's decision to leave Abraham and move to Sodom (Gen 13:1-18) reflected his preference not to be dependent on YHVH and to distance himself from his uncle.  "The men of Sodom were very wicked to YHVH" (Gen 13:13) 

In contrast, Abraham expressed his opposition to anything associated with Sodom, prefering to completely separate himself from anything originating from that city. When rescuing Lot from the 'four kings' (Gen 14) Abraham refused to keep any property belonging to Sodom recovered in that victory, although he rightfully deserved his 'fair share' of the spoils from the battle which he himself fought and won.

"Abram said to the King of Sodom: I swear to YHVH, ELOHIM Most High, Creator of heaven and earth: I will not take so much as a thread or a shoe strap of what is yours, so you can not say it is I who made Abram rich."  (Gen 14:22-23)

These two events - Lot's settlement in Sodom and Abraham's refusal to take a single item from there - as well as YHVH's statement concerning Abraham's mission to teach "justice and righteousness" before destroying Sodom (Gen 18:19) all indicated that Sodom was a society void of "justice and holiness"

No Guests Allowed!

Although "law" may be found in Sodom, "holiness" is most definitely absent. "...they (his two guests) had not lain down yet when the townspeople, the men of Sodom, gathered outside his house - from young to old - all the people until the edge (of the city). And they protested (outside his house) and shouted: 'Where are those men who came to visit you this evening? Take them out of your house so we can know them."      
(Gen 19:4-5)

The entire city joined in a protest demonstration againt 'hospitality' - taking in strange visitors! .

There was a strict law in Sodom: no guests allowed!  
Sodom may have 'laws' but they were warped.

Justice And Judgement vs. Sodom

This explains why throughout the 'Prophets'  Sodom is associated with the absence of "justice and right judgement." Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel foresaw and forewarned the destruction of Israel, by comparing the corrupt society in Israel to that of Sodom, and saw therein the reason for their own coming destruction.

"...Your younger sister was Sodom...Did you not walk in her ways and practice her abominations? Why, you are more corrupt than they in all your ways... This was the sin of your sister Sodom - she had plenty of bread and untroubled tranquillity, yet she did not support the poor and the needy. In her haughtiness, they sinned before Me, so I removed them, as you saw..." (Eze 16:46-50) In Jeremiah, the connection between the lack of justice and Sodom is even more explicit.

"Listen to the word of YHVH - you who are like officers of Sodom, pay attention to the teachings of our ELOHIM - you who are like the people of Gomorah. Why should I accept your many offerings... Instead, learn to do good, devote yourself to justice, aid the wronged, uphold the rights of the orphan, defend the cause of the widow...How has the faithful city, once filled with justice and righteousness, now become a city of murderers..." (Isa 1:10-24)
"Zion will be redeemed with judgement, and her converts with righteousness" (Isa 1:27)
"YHVH had hoped to find justice, and found injustice,
to find righteousness and instead found iniquity."
(Isa 5:7)

Perhaps the strongest statement of this theme is found in the book of Jeremiah. In his powerful charge to the House of David, whose lineage stems not only from Judah but also from Ruth the Moabite, a descendant of Lot, Jeremiah gives the precise expectation of the Jewish king:

"Hear the word of YHVH, King of Judah, you who sit on the throne of David... execute judgement and righteousness... do not wrong a stranger, an orphan, and the widow..."   (Jer 22 2-5)

Later, when Jeremiah contrasts the corrupt king Jehoiakim with his righteous father Josiah, he admonishes:

"... your father performed justice, and that made him content. He upheld the rights of the poor and needy - is this not what it means to know Me, YHVH has said!  But you (Jehoiakim) - on your mind is only your ill-gotten gains..."  (Jer 22: 13-17)

Finally, when Jeremiah speaks of the ideal king who will bring the redemption, he emphasizes the very same theme:

"A time is coming - YHVH declares - when I will raise up a true branch of David's line. He shall reign as king and prosper, and he will perform judgement and justice in the land. In his days, Judah shall be delivered and Israel shall dwell secure..."  (Jer 23:5-6)

The reason YHVH chose the Kingdom of David was the same reason He chose Abraham. YHVH's designation of Abraham came not in reward for his exemplary behavior, but rather for a specific purpose: to establish a model nation - characterized by justice and righteousness, that will bring all mankind closer to HIM. For this very same reason, YHVH chose a 'royal family' to rule this nation - the House of David. They too were chosen in order to teach the nation the ways of holiness. Even without proper leadership, this charge remained Israel's eternal goal, and the responsibility of every individual.

Jer 9:23-24  says:  "Thus says YHVH:
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom;
Let not the strong man glory in his strength;
Let not the rich man glory in his riches.
But only in this should one glory:
Let him be wise to know Me, for I YHVH act in the land with kindness, judgement , and righteousness - for it is this that I desire, says YHVH."

Once again we see that knowing YHVH means walking in His ways, living in holiness.  Should everyone act in this manner, this goal will be accomplished.

'KNOWING HIM' - The Key Word

It is not by chance that Jeremiah used the words 'know Me' in the context of following a lifestyle of holiness.

"And they said to him: Go away - you have just recently come to dwell in our city and now you judge us!  Now we will deal with you worse than with them..."  (Gen 19:9)

What did Lot say that prompted such a severe reaction?  If he simply offered his daughters, why couldn't they just say: No, we prefer the men.  Instead, they threaten to be more evil with Lot than with his guests. Did this mean that they want to 'sleep' with Lot as well?

One could suggest that when Lot pleads: "My brothers, don't do such evil to my guests, here are my two daughters..." (vs 6) he was not seriously offering his daughters at all. Rather, he made mention of them as part of a vehement condemnation of the people. In a sarcastic manner, Lot was telling the crowd that he'd rather give over his daughters than his guests! He had no intention whatsoever of giving them over to a mass mob. (how could two women 'appease' such a large crowd)  He was simply rebuking them, emphasizing how important it was that they should allow him to keep guests. It's as if he was saying, "I'd sooner give you my daughters than my two guests". Lot did not bring his daughters with him when he made his so-called 'offer.' In fact, he actually closed the door behind him (vs 6) when he went to negotiate with the rioters. Had Lot really wanted to 'appease' them with his daughters, he would have taken them outside with him! This was why the crowd becomes so angered by Lot's remarks. They were angry at his harsh rebuke of their 'no guest' policy. They neither accepted nor rejected Lot's proposal. Instead they expressed their anger with Lot's rebuke:

"One has just come to live by us and now he is judging us; now we will deal more harshly with you than we planned to deal with them."  (Gen 19:8)

They seemed to be saying: Hey, you're just a newcomer here in our town, and you already think you can tell us what to do!? No way - we're gonna kick you out of town, together with your guests! Before we only wanted to expel your guests from town, now we are going to expel you and your family as well!

What do people mean by "you are judging us"? Apparently, there was something in Lot's statement that suggested judgement; but is it only his request that they 'not be so mean' to his guests? (vs 7)

They possibly considered Lot's sarcastic offer of his daughters instead of his guests as a moral judgment of their 'no-guest' policy; a reprehension of their unethical social system. They were angery because Lot had 'judged' their character. No one likes being told what to do, especially by 'newcomers', hence their anger and threat toward Lot's remarks.