Genesis 18

Bible Passage:  Genesis 18

The story of Abraham receiving the 3 strangers is a familiar one. We teach them to little children too. But it always amazes me whenever I read the story, the kind of hospitality shown and how enthusiastic they (Abraham & Sarah) were at receiving complete strangers!

Abraham persuaded them not to pass him by, but today we often wish to pass by unnoticed, even when we see ahead people who wants our help. Abraham chose the good calf; will we give strangers the best from our kitchen? Abraham stood by them as they ate; this is like what we see the servants of the house do as their masters take their meals. Now the closest of such hospitality I can find is when we do church visiting in the more backward areas, and the brethren there serve us the best and do not eat until we have finished our fill. We are strangers in a way to them, but not complete strangers since they know we are of the same household of God.

After eating, the men looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and Abraham sent them on their way.

Now what God said was very interesting to me here. It is also related to the subject I want to discuss later.

20 And the LORD said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, 21 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.”

God told Abraham His intentions to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is very grave. Verse 21 seems to suggest that someone is reporting to God about the sins of the cities, and God will go personally to investigate. Now the word “investigate” sounds funny to be something God will do since He knows all things right?

But let’s say we just put it in the perspective of God allowing Abraham to know His plans. What He said at the end was important – “and if not, I will know”.

So what will be your reaction if you hear about a city going to be destroyed? Will you want to persuade the people in the city to repent, or will you try to persuade God who has the power to destroy? Or will you judge God in your heart? Or will you just be grateful that you are not in that city?

At some point of a Christian’s life, this question will often pop up:

“When God judges the world, what about those people who lives in the remote areas of the earth who have never heard of the gospel of Christ? Will they be condemned?”

I heard a good answer for this question, actually none other than from biblereader, and I would like to share it here.

He said we need to have faith in the righteousness of God, and the story of Abraham interceding with God for Sodom and Gomorrah shows us to the righteousness of God.

God said “I will know”. Do you trust in God’s knowledge and righteousness?

Abraham started asking God whether He would destroy the city if there were 50 righteous men, and God answered No. Abraham then asked about 45, then 40, then 30, then 20, then 10, and finally he did not dare to ask further.

Finally we know that the city does not have even 10 righteous men, and Lot and his family are not really righteous even to some of us, yet God saved them for the sake of Abraham.

The story of how God spared the city of Ninevah also brings us more revelations about God’s mercy.

And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left-and much livestock?”  Jonah 4:11

So what does this tell us about the righteousness of God?