Genesis 18:16 Then the men stood up from their meal and started on toward Sodom; and Abraham went with them part of the way.
17-19 “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” God asked. “For Abraham shall become a mighty nation, and he will be a source of blessing for all the nations of the earth. And I have picked him out to have godly descendants and a godly household—men who are just and good—so that I can do for him all I have promised.”
20-21 So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard that the people of Sodom and Gomorrah are utterly evil, and that everything they do is wicked. I am going down to see whether these reports are true or not. Then I will know.” (New King James Version says: “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”)
22-25 So the other two went on toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham a while. Then Abraham approached him and said, “Will you kill good and bad alike? Suppose you find fifty godly people there within the city—will you destroy it, and not spare it for their sakes? That wouldn’t be right! Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, to kill the godly with the wicked! Why, you would be treating godly and wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth be fair?”
26 And God replied, “If I find fifty godly people there, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”
27-33 Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me go on and speak further to the Lord, though I am but dust and ashes. Suppose there are only forty-five? Will you destroy the city for lack of five?”
And God said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five.”
Then Abraham went further with his request. “Suppose there are only forty?”
And God replied, “I won’t destroy it if there are forty.”
“Please don’t be angry,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak: suppose only thirty are found there?”
And God replied, “I won’t do it if there are thirty there.”
Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to God, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?”
And God said, “Then I won’t destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
Finally, Abraham said, “Oh, let not the Lord be angry; I will speak but this once more! Suppose only ten are found?”
And God said, “Then, for the sake of the ten, I won’t destroy it.”
And the Lord went on his way when he had finished his conversation with Abraham. And Abraham returned to his tent.
Abraham is terrified! When Lot, Abraham’s nephew, first moved in the direction of Sodom, Abraham tried to reason with him; however, Lot insisted that his move was the closest way to reach the verdant Jordan Valley, even though he could have diverted to the north. Lot claimed he had no intention of ever living in Sodom. Abraham had already been hearing disturbing rumors. Travelers attempting to pass the night in Sodom were bringing horror stories about the foul manner in which they had been treated, some of these men barely escaping with their lives. There were even more terrifying tales of unfortunate travelers having been raped by city leaders and their sons. Just the mention of the name “Sodom” is enough to make Abraham shudder. Now there’s a new problem.
“The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” We read this statement and wonder. If God is all-seeing and all knowing, why does He have to visit Sodom? He already knows exactly what’s been happening. God is giving the Sodomites one last chance to prove that some of them are worth saving. As Abraham is bargaining, God already knows He won’t find ten righteous men in Sodom; Lot is the only one, and if he doesn’t leave, he might also begin copying his neighbors.
If God knows all these facts, why is He sending emissaries to Sodom? And what comfort can Abraham possibly derive from this situation? The answer to these questions is in Verse 25: “Should not the Judge of all the earth be fair?” (Other versions read: “Should not the Judge of the whole earth deal justly.”) God already knows what He must do to Sodom; however, He is allowing the men of Sodom one last chance to repent. At the same time, God doesn’t want to damage Abraham’s faith in His fairness. God wants Abraham to take comfort in the knowledge that the Judge of all the earth WILL be fair and WILL deal justly.
Abraham goes to his tent, knowing that God will act righteously but hoping that there might be ten virtuous men in Sodom. God sends his representatives to Sodom, knowing that Lot is the only righteous man left in Sodom. God’s representatives will face threats and must eventually lead Lot and his wife and daughters out of Sodom to deliver them from destruction.
The Westminster Shorter Catechism tells us that “God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.” Even when bad things happen to good people, we can still take comfort in the fact that God’s nature has not changed and that all His attributes remain untouched. One verse of the hymn “This is My Father’s World” states: This is my Father’s world. Oh, let me ne’er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet.” As people of faith, we can trust God, no matter the circumstances.
Perhaps last year was a tough year, one you feel you barely survived. Now we are entering on a new year, and you aren’t too certain about this one either. But John 10:4 tells us, “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.” Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for his sheep. If you believe that Jesus died for your sins, that he conquered death and the grave, and that he rose from the dead, then you are one of those sheep. Don’t worry or hesitate! Jesus, your Good Shepherd, is bringing you out and going on before you. Follow him!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to follow hard after You, even when mists of trouble blind our eyes and cause us heart palpitations. Please send Your comfort to all who read these words. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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