HOLY BOLDNESS AND GRACIOUS SUBMISSION.
Genesis 18:20-32.
This is the earliest prayer to be written down in the Bible. The prayer conversation was not initiated by Abraham, but by the LORD, who allowed Abraham to overhear His musings about the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20-21). The three ‘men’ (cf. Genesis 18:2) who had been enjoying Abraham’s hospitality now separated into two “men” (Genesis 18:22a) who set their faces toward Sodom (only to appear as ‘angels’ when they got there, Genesis 19:1), and “the LORD” (already introduced in Genesis 18:1), before whom Abraham remained standing (Genesis 18:22b).
The conversation between the LORD and Abraham suggests a relationship. God shares His Word with His covenant children, and prompts us to respond. If we are made privy to the purposes of the LORD then we may, without presumptuousness, speak our mind about those things which we do not understand.
“Will you also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” asked Abraham. “If there are fifty righteous” will you spare the place for the sake of the fifty? “Far be that from you” to slay the righteous with the wicked: “shall not the Judge of all the earth do that which is right?” (Genesis 18:23-25).
We can shape our prayers in accordance with what we know about the character of God. Yes, replied the LORD, “if I find fifty righteous there, I will spare all the place for their sakes” (Genesis 18:26).
Abraham had taken upon him to “speak unto the LORD” in such a way, but never lost sight of the fact that he was but “dust and ashes.” Yet he pressed on with boldness: “What if the fifty lacks five?” (Genesis 18:27-28a).
“If I find forty-five righteous there, I will not destroy it” (Genesis 18:28b). The numbers continued to come down. “I will not do it for forty’s sake” (Genesis 18:29).
“Oh let not the LORD be angry.” Thirty? “I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD.” Twenty? (Genesis 18:30-31).
“Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once.” Ten? (Genesis 18:32a).
“I will not destroy it for ten’s sake” (Genesis 18:32b).
This seemed to conclude the conversation. God seemed determined to destroy Sodom, and would not be deterred. Yet the prayer was not unanswered, God did not “destroy the righteous with the wicked.” For ‘righteous Lot,’ Abraham’s nephew, who had been ‘vexing his righteous soul with their unlawful deeds’ was ‘delivered’ (2 Peter 2:7-8), along with two daughters. Why? ‘Because the LORD remembered Abraham’ (Genesis 19:29).
Abraham is to be admired for his broad vision. He knew that God ‘is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance’ (2 Peter 3:9). Where there is life, there is still opportunity: but nevertheless, if people use their ‘free will’ to go on defying God, then the consequences are grave.
As we continue our mission of prayer before Him, we are thankful that we have access to the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ. May the desires of our hearts be conformed to His will, that we may approach Him with holy boldness (Hebrews 4:16) and gracious submission. To His name be the glory. Amen.
