Genesis 19:13

For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the Lord; and the Lord hath sent us to destroy it.

Genesis 19:13 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the account of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction. Two angels, disguised as men, came to Sodom and stayed with Lot, Abraham’s nephew. The city’s men, young and old, surrounded Lot’s house and demanded to abuse the visitors. Their wickedness had become extreme in the Lord’s sight. The angels had come to investigate the outcry against the city, and what they saw confirmed its guilt.

Meaning

The angels declare that they will destroy the place because the cry against its people has grown great before the Lord. The “cry” is the outcry of the inhabitants’ many sins, openly committed and reaching heaven. This destruction is not arbitrary; it is a direct response to great wickedness. The angels also show God’s mercy by warning Lot and his family before judgment falls. Their message stresses both the certainty and the nearness of judgment: they are about to destroy the city. God is the ultimate judge, and He sends His agents to carry out His sentence.

Biblical connections

The wickedness of Sodom went beyond the attempted homosexual rape. Ezekiel 16:49-50 lists other sins: pride, excess of food, prosperous ease, and failure to help the poor and needy. These sins together cried out to God, and He determined to judge the cities. The verse reveals that God is aware of evil and takes it seriously. Throughout Scripture, the cry of the oppressed reaches God, and He responds in righteousness.

Application

God is not indifferent to suffering caused by human wickedness. He will hold people accountable for their actions. This truth calls readers to examine their own lives, turning from sin and caring for the vulnerable. It also reminds believers that God’s justice is certain, even when judgment seems delayed. Because God hears the cries of the harmed, we must not ignore injustice around us.

Reflection

The angels’ message emphasizes the certainty and imminence of judgment. Yet the same message carries hope: God warned Lot, providing a way of escape. This balance of justice and mercy invites readers to trust God’s righteous judgment while receiving His offered deliverance. God’s warning is a gift, a chance to flee from coming wrath and find safety in Him.