Genesis Chapter 18 - Abraham, Three Travelers, Abraham Pleads for the Righteous in Sodom
While living near the big trees of Mamre Abraham saw three "travelers" whom he perceived to be angels. He rushed to them and implored them to stop, rest and refresh themselves with water and a meal. When they agreed, Abraham himself attended to the meal, picking out a bull and having fresh bread made for the travelers. Further, Abraham set the meal before them and waited upon them himself and without eating.
The travelers inquired about Sarah and then proceeded to tell Abraham that when they returned a year from now, Abraham and Sarah would have a child. Sarah laughed at the thought of this, but denied it when confronted.
The travelers left to go their way and Abraham walked along with them.
The angel speaking for Jehovah then reiterated the blessing that was to come on Abraham's seed, that he would become a great nation and by his seed, all the nations of the earth would bless themselves. Further, the angel informed Abraham that their purpose was to investigate Sodom and Gomorrah because word of the great sins of the two cities had reached up even to the heavens.
At this point two of the angels continued on their way, while Abraham approached the angel speaking for God and inquired if Jehovah would really sweep away the godly with the wicked? Abraham pointed out how unthinkable it would be for Jehovah to punish the righteous along with the wicked.
Abraham then asked if God would spare the cities if there were found 50 good men living in the cities? God answered the cities would be spared if there were found 50 righteous men in their borders. Abraham asked God if he would spare the cities this time, and subsequent times, reducing the number of righteous required to save the city. Abraham continued to do this until he reached just 10 righteous men. Each time Abraham made his request, Jehovah agreed to spare the city if there were found the number of righteous men Abraham requested, including as few as 10 righteous men.
After that, Abraham and the angel went each their own way.
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2 comments:
The first comment pertains to the hospitality of Abraham, and how he personnaly attended to the preparation of the meal and he himself waited on the supernatural guests.
Abraham, by this, demonstrated his humility.
My second comment concerns the pleading of the case by Abraham for the righteous of the cities.
I don't think Abraham was concerned the righteous would be destroyed along with the wicked, as he mentions how he knew that was unthinkable to Jehovah. I do think Abraham was thinking of the wicked and the fact that they were about to lose their opportunity to repent and turn around from their sins.
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