Abraham Intercedes for Sodom and Gomorrah. And the LORD said, “The outcry [of the sin] of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. Gen 18:20
Abraham approached [the LORD] and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous (those who do right) with the wicked (those who do evil)? Gen 18:23
INTRODUCTION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT
II. GOD AND THE CHOSEN FAMILY, Genesis 12-50
1. The History of Abraham and His Son Isaac, Genesis 11:27-25:11
28. What did Abraham’s intercession accomplish?
ABRAHAM INTERCEDES FOR SODOM
Then the men got up from there, and looked toward Sodom; and Abraham walked with them to send them on the way.
The LORD said, “Shall I keep secret from Abraham [My friend and servant] what I am going to do, [Gal_3:8]
since Abraham is destined to become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him? [Gen_12:2-3]
For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and [the sons of] his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is righteous and just, so that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised him.”
And the LORD said, “The outcry [of the sin] of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave.
I will go down now, and see whether they have acted [as vilely and wickedly] as the outcry which has come to Me [indicates]; and if not, I will know.”
Now the [two] men (angelic beings) turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
Abraham approached [the LORD] and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous (those who do right) with the wicked (those who do evil)?
Suppose there are fifty righteous [people] within the city; will You really sweep it away and not spare it for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?
Far be it from You to do such a thing–to strike the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right [by executing just and righteous judgment]?”
So the LORD said, “If I find within the city of Sodom fifty righteous [people], then I will spare the entire place for their sake.”
Abraham answered, “Now behold, I who am but dust [in origin] and ashes have decided to speak to the Lord. [Gen_3:19; Job_30:19]
If five of the fifty righteous are lacking, will You destroy the entire city for lack of five?” And He said, “If I find [at least] forty-five [righteous people] there, I will not destroy it.”
Abraham spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose [only] forty are found there.” And He said, “I will not do it for the sake of the forty [who are righteous].”
Then Abraham said [to Him], “Oh, may the Lord not be angry, and I will speak; suppose thirty [righteous people] are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
1 And he said, “Now behold, I have decided to speak to the Lord [again]. Suppose [only] twenty [righteous people] are found there?” And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
Then Abraham said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry [with me], and I will speak only this once; suppose ten [righteous people] are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
As soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his own place.
Comments by
F.B.Meyer
On
Genesis 18:16-33
ABRAHAM PLEADS FOR SODOM
Christ had visited Abraham’s tent, but He did more. He trusted him with His secrets, and led him almost unconsciously to a degree of faith and prayer that was far beyond what he had hitherto attained. Abraham seemed to be driving the Blessed One from point to point, but as a matter of fact, he was being drawn forward. It was so with the woman of Syrophenicia. God’s love and willingness to bless far exceeded Abraham’s faith, and when he had gone as far as he dared the divine love went farther and saved Lot from the overthrow. We can never go into the realms of love and compassion, without finding the footsteps of the Redeemer. See Heb_10:22. Amid all the mysteries of God’s moral government we must always believe that He is just and righteous. His throne is encircled by the rainbow, but it is founded in unimpeachable integrity. How low Abraham lay in his self-estimate! They who know most of God do not presume on their knowledge, but esteem themselves the least of saints.
Comments by
WILLIAM MACDONALD
Believers Bible Commentary
On
Genesis 18:16-33
II. THE PATRIARCHS OF ISRAEL (Chaps. 12-50)
6. Sodom and Gomorrah (Chaps. 18, 19)
18:16-33 After the LORD revealed to Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom, and while the two angels were walking toward that city, Abraham’s great intercessory countdown began—fifty . . . forty-five . . . forty . . . thirty . . . twenty . . . ten. Even for ten righteous people the Lord would not destroy Sodom! Abraham’s prayer is a wonderful example of effectual intercession. It was based on the righteous character of the Judge of all the earth (v. 25) and evidenced that boldness, yet deep humility which only an intimate knowledge of God can give. Only when Abraham stopped pleading did the Lord close the matter and depart (v. 33). There are many mysteries in life for which the truth of verse 25 is the only satisfying answer.
Don’t miss the tribute God paid to Abraham as an outstanding family man (v. 19). Something worth coveting!
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