“Suppose…?”
“Suppose…?”
Blessings folk!
Abraham asked the Lord if He would sweep away the righteous with the evil.
A good question.
Abraham did not question the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Their sin required judgment.
Abraham was concerned over the righteous in the midst, specifically Lot and his family.
Read the account of the discussion between Abraham and the Lord. Let not familiarity rob you of the Word of the Lord…
Gen 18:23-33
Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
“Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?
“Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay 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 deal justly?”
So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.”
And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.
“Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”
He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.”
Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.”
Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”
As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.
We see Abraham’s concern.
We see that Abraham was aware of the evil…only 50 righteous?
We see that Abraham began to think…to reflect…what if?
It seems that he realized that Lot and his family were likely the only righteous.
We see some principles.
The Lord will dialogue.
The Lord will relent for a righteous remnant.
The Lord will bring judgment and protect the righteous…a picture of the ultimate judgment to come.
Judgment is coming.
All will be judged…either before the Great White Throne (unbelievers) or the Bema Seat (believers).
Are you ready?