thinking bible.

You asked

how do other biblical narratives, like job or the psalms, describe or respond to similar cries of oppression?

The passage, plainly, with room to sit with it.

Genesis 18:20-21

Yahweh said, "Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, I will go down now, and see whether they have done according to the cry which has come to me. If not, I will know."

This passage is part of a longer conversation between Abraham and God (represented here as Yahweh, sometimes interpreted as a divine messenger or appearance of God Himself) before the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. God reveals his intention to investigate the cities due to a widespread cry of injustice and grievous sin that has reached him.

What does it mean for 'the cry' of a place to reach God?

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

  • Psalm 10:17-18

    Describes God as hearing the desire of the afflicted, bringing justice to the fatherless and oppressed.

  • Exodus 2:23-25

    Depicts God hearing the groaning of the Israelites under Egyptian slavery and remembering his covenant.

  • Job 34:28

    States that God hears the cry of the poor and afflicted.

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