Reading

• Gen. 18:1-19:38

Devotional

Abraham had a very special relationship with GOD. Abraham trusted in GOD to provide for him and to protect him. GOD loved Abraham and was pleased with him because he was righteous. In fact, Abraham is described as “the friend of God” (Jam. 2:23).

The wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah was great. GOD sent angels to investigate the cities to see how bad the wickedness was. Because of their close relationship, GOD shared His plan with Abraham. Abraham was concerned that GOD would destroy righteous people along with the wicked when the cities were destroyed, so he pleaded with GOD.

And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
(Gen. 18:23-25)

At first GOD agreed to spare both cities if there were fifty righteous people there. Did He already know how many righteous were in the cities? Yes, but in His wisdom GOD chose to send angels to investigate the cities first-hand. So Abraham thought about it, and he negotiated multiple times with GOD to spare the cities for fewer and fewer righteous people.

In the end GOD agreed to not destroy two cities worth of wicked people if only ten righteous could be found there. Think about what this means!

1. GOD loves righteous people. Ten righteous were enough to prevent two entire cities full of evil people from being killed.
2. GOD listens when His children talk. Abraham went back to GOD multiple times asking to renegotiate the terms of their agreement regarding Sodom and Gomorrah. If GOD was willing to go to such great lengths for His friend Abraham—to tolerate such ongoing wickedness for the sake of a few righteous—will He not be long-suffering with people today?
3. Abraham loved lost people. He had compassion on them and pleaded with GOD on their behalf. We should have this same attitude today. We too were once enemies with GOD when we sinned against Him.