HOMOSEXUALISM AND THE BIBLE

HOMOSEXUALISM AND THE BIBLE

BY: Peter Qeko Jere.

For a long time, homosexualism has been a debatable issue in Malawi and apparently no concrete solution has been reached. Many tend to look at homosexualism as something that need to be accommodated due the so called human rights that is claimed to be attached to it. While some would want to accommodate this, it is vital to realize that homosexualism is not a new thing because it existed in the Old Testament times. The Old Testament. Biblical events show us how God viewed this wickedness and the consequences that followed there after.

To begin with, we have an event involving Lot who was living in city of Sodom. Lot chose to stay in Sodom and Gomorrah when he separated himself from his uncle Abraham. This city is described as sinful and wicked such that God sent two angels to destroy it. One day Lot received these two angels (visitors) whom the Lord sent to destroy the city of Sodom. He welcomed them though he had no idea where they came from and why they were in the city. He prepared meal and accommodated them for a night. While Lot was having supper with these guests, the unspeakable happened. The bible in Genesis 19: 4-5 says, “Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom- both young and old, surrounded the house. They called to Lot, where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them” The one great sin in this city was homosexualism. This is the most unnatural and abominable wickedness that is bears their name today, Sodomy. Due to this wickedness, God rained down burning fire and brimstone on the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. Everything living in this city perished. This burning fire and brimstone completely destroyed every living thing including the inhabitants of the city.

As if this was not enough, Judges chapter 19 has similar account of homosexualism with similar consequences from the Lord. This chapter has an account of a Levite who went to collect his concubine who was in fact unfaithful to him. As they were traveling back home they passed through a small town of Gibeah where an old man gave them accommodation for the night. Now the people of Gibeah live in the tribe of Benjamin. Judges 19:22 says, “ While they were enjoying themselves some of the wicked men of the city of Gibeah surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him. However we later read that God was angry with this tribe and as a result the whole tribe of Gibeah was killed and destroyed by the men of Israel.

These two biblical stories are similar and show us how much God hates this unnatural and abominable wickedness and how He (God) is ready to punish a people and a nation that accommodate it. During Lot’s time, the whole city was destroyed and wiped out as God rained down fire and brimstone from heaven. God was the author of this destruction and it was the destruction from the almighty. This was a strange punishment and hell rained from heaven upon Sodom and Gomorrah. In the book of Judges, the people of Gibeahs’ were all killed with a sword together with the Benjamites who accommodated them.

Now what does this tells us as Malawians? What should we expect God to do to this nation in a situation where homosexualism is allegedly done (lakeshores as reported in the media)? Shall God remain silent and just watch? If God rained fire and brimstone from heaven upon the city of Sodom, killing and destroying every living thing including homosexuals themselves, then what will happen to Malawi and those who accommodate this unnatural and abominable wickedness?

Having said this, we as Malawians need to know that Homosexualism carries heavy and drastic measures from the Lord. God hate this wickedness and there is clear evidence of what God is able to do to put an end to the practice. During Lot’s time, leaders of Sodom and Gomorrah didn’t do anything to put an end to the practice and as a result God came down Himself to destroy the whole city with fire and brimstone. This explains to us as Malawians that if our leaders keep quiet and pretend that this is not an issue then they should realize that one day God shall come down Himself in one way or the other to put an end to the practice. Now we need to know that it is very dangerous to wait for God to come down because His coming brings with Him drastic measures upon a nation.

In the book of Judges, homosexualism was a way of life and we see that God created a situation that led to the destruction of the entire tribe of Gibeah and Benjamin. Now the one common consequence is that God destroyed the city and the tribe that practiced this wickedness. If this is what God did then the same God shall be able to do like wise to any nation and any people who accommodate this evil practice. In Malawi it is unfortunate that some wanted government to legalize this wickedness in the name of human rights without considering the consequences that befall a nation that accommodates it. Infact those who campaign for the legalization of this evil need to go back to the bible and see how God punished homosexuals in the Old Testament. In all the two occasions, God completely wiped out those homosexuals and their leaders. Malawian politicians and religious leaders need to realize that God hates homosexualim and has no option but to completely destroy those who practice and advocate it.

The nation of Malawi is unique before God because it was born out of God’s will. God is the very foundation of this nation. Our entire history shows the presence of God from the very beginning through the church. This nation was once ruled by the church during pre-colonialism. The first parliament (legislative Council in Zomba) was full of church minister. Now with this Godly background, it is unfortunate that some people in the name of human rights should be campaigning for the legalization of homosexualism. Now that this evil is practiced along the lakeshores, then there is a heavy assignment for the church and our nation leaders to do something about it. The one thing God does if church leaders and nation leaders keep quiet about it is total destruction. God is God and nothing will change His character even when it comes to dealing with Malawi as a nation in a situation where homosexualism is practiced. What He says in His word that He hates homosexualism shall stand and He shall continue to punish a nation and a people who accommodate it.