Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/151

 Sodom and Gomorrah

133

contrary to the fundamental principles of justice and hospitality

!

This had been going on

for

many

years.

Even

their

from the four hostile kings, and Abraham's noble example in refusing the rich reward which the king of Sodom had offered him, had failed to make them fealize that there is something in life far better than mere wealth. So But He rememat last God felt that He must destroy them. bered His promise to Noah, never to bring another flood to Instead He determined to punish only destroy all mankind. escape

the sinners, but to spare

all

the righteous in the city.

we know, the angels came to Abraham to enjoy Having tried and proved his hospitality and to test him. him, they announced to him the birth of Isaac. At the same time God revealed to Abraham His intention with regard to This was in reality another the people of the wicked cities. and a worthy test of Abraham's fitness for his great mission. Not the righteous and the well-doing have departed farthest from God, and therefore stand in greatest need of the ministrations and help and loving guidance of God's As we have servants, but the wicked and the evil-doers. First, as

learned, the principle underlying this service of

human brotherhood. All men who they may, the righteous and

God

is

that

of eternal,

are our brothers,

be they

the wicked alike.

It is

easy to preserve the consciousness of brotherhood with

But we are all too prone to condemn them off and leave them to their fate, and to feel that our relationship with them and our responsibility for them have ceased. But it is not true, and we are still our brother's keeper, and all the more the keeper of that weak brother who can not keep himself, and who, without our help, must be lost completely. He who would do God's service and go as God's messenger unto his fellowmen, must have a great heart, filled with love for those of his brethren who need him most. He must be slow to conthose

who do

well.

the wicked, to cast