One of the most common and challenging questions that people struggle with, and what may be the greatest obstacle that keeps many from having a relationship with God, is the question over why God allows evil to persist in the world. Why hasn’t He done away with war and famine? How can He look down upon the exploitation of children, the selling of people into slavery, the conditions of gang territories and some of the torturous conditions that people have to endure, and do nothing? As we are reminded about the cry against Sodom and Gomorrah, and the encounter that Abraham had with the angels before their destruction, we gain some incredible insight.
Have you ever wondered why God had to come down to see if the conditions were really as bad as the people thought? Or why He entered into negotiations with Abraham over what the threshold would be for determining whether or not the cities should be destroyed? One of the things that it shows us is how important the protection of the innocent is. Consider that in cities of thousands of people, God would not destroy them on account of 10 people. The lives of 10 innocent people are more important than the just condemnation of thousands.
Abraham did not bargain with God based on how bad the people in Sodom and Gomorrah were. The debate was not whether the cry out against them was justified, nor was it about whether or not they would repent and God would have mercy on them. It was known that there was great evil in those cities, and their depravity warranted destruction. But not at the risk of condemning or punishing the innocent. It is better for thousands of the guilty to escape judgment, rather than 10 innocent to be punished.
This is how valuable the protection of the innocent is and how great of a sin it is to inflict punishment on just one who does not deserve it.
It seems that we have become comfortable with the idea of collateral damage, the principle than in war, or in any action of punishment or restraint, it is okay for a few of the innocent to pay a price. We can be so focused and worried about the guilty escaping justice or getting off and being allowed to continue their ways, that we ignore the cost of the innocent. Sometimes, this comes from a lack of faith, thinking that we are the source of justice and judgment, and if we do to stop them, or arrest them, then no one will; or we lack faith that God Himself will protect the innocent, as He protected Lot and his family. Other times it is a fear, that we are so afraid of the harm these people may do to us and our society, that it is okay for a few mistakes to happen and for some innocent to suffer. But this is not how God sees, this is not what He values. There is no sin greater against man, than injustice against the innocent.