Genesis 18

Genesis 18:1

6. Sodom and Gomorrah (Chaps. 18, 19)18:1-15 Shortly after the events of chapter 17, three men appeared to Abraham. Actually two of them were angels and the other was the LORD Himself. With typical Middle Eastern hospitality, Abraham and Sarah entertained the angels unawares (Heb_13:2) and One who was greater than angels. When Sarah overheard the Lord say that she would have a child within a year, her laughter betrayed her unbelief. She was rebuked with the searching question, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” But the promise was repeated in spite of her doubting (vv. 9-15). Heb_11:11 indicates that Sarah was basically a woman of faith in spite of this momentary lapse. 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 beganfifty . . . 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!