Genesis
Genesis 18:16-33
Abram Intercedes For Sodom
Genesis 18:16-33 records the intercession of Abraham for the soon-to-be destroyed city of Sodom. We must review some of Genesis chapters 18 and 19 to fully glean the principles revealed in Abraham’s prayer.
The scene begins with The LORD (JEHOVAH) appearing to Abraham as he sits in his tent door in the heat of the day.1 Abraham looks up and sees the LORD and two angels, each appearing as a man standing beside him. Abraham immediately bows to the ground and entreats the LORD that he might wash their feet and prepare a meal for the three. The LORD replies: “Do as you have said”. Abraham and Sarah immediately rush to minister to the LORD.
After receiving the meal, the LORD announces the miracle that Sarah will bear a son, and then the three head towards Sodom with Abraham going along to send them on their way.2 As they begin the journey towards Sodom, the LORD confides in Abraham:
Genesis 18:17-19 The LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him."
We see in the above text glimpses of the relationship that has been developed between Abraham and the LORD. Abraham’s journey has transformed him into a dependable, trusted friend upon whom the LORD will use to release His promised covenant and blessing to the nation of Israel and to all the people of the earth! The LORD then announces to Abraham His intent to destroy Sodom, the two angels turn to Sodom, and then Abraham boldly “stood before the LORD”.
Genesis 18:22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD.
Abraham then begins to appeal to the LORD’s unfailing mercy, justice, and righteousness, interceding until the LORD agrees to save the city of Sodom if ten righteous people can be found there. Abraham is clearly aware of his intimate and personal relationship with the LORD. He is aware of and appeals to the LORD’s just principles as he makes intercession for Sodom. Abraham knows the LORD personally.
Genesis 18:32 Then he [Abraham] said, "Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there." He [the LORD] answered, "For the sake of ten I will not destroy it."
Afterward, Abraham returned to his place, fully confident in the Word of his Friend. He knew Lot was in Sodom but did not rush to warn his nephew, convinced the LORD would deliver the righteous. Although the city was not saved, God in His perfect wisdom destroyed the city and, in his mercy, warned Lot’s house to escape the judgment.
Ge 19:29 So it was that, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, God remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which Lot had lived..
"This is the Bible. Every word on every page whispers the name, Jesus!"
What can we learn from all of this? First, Abraham ministered to the Lord. Just as Abraham served the LORD and waited upon Him, we have the same opportunity. With our worship and by spending time in the reality of the LORD’s Presence, we move His heart. We minister to Him by simply being with Him and falling in love with Him. The LORD longs to be with you.
Second, Abraham knew the LORD, and the LORD knew Abraham. Even though Abraham made mistakes and fell short, the LORD trusted him. He was made righteous by his faith in God3. As New Covenant believers, we have an even greater opportunity for intimacy with the LORD than Abraham experienced! We are declared righteous by the very blood of God!4 The apostle Paul compared our relationship with Jesus to a marriage, the most intimate relationship a man and a woman can have. We have the Holy Spirit of God living in us, revealing the Person of God to us as we meditate upon His Word that declares His heart. As we “watch and wait” upon the LORD, He reveals the wisdom of how we should pray. His plans and purpose become clearer to us out of our intimacy with Him.
Lastly, Abraham had faith in his Friend. He returned home fully confident in the One he knew personally. Intimacy with Jesus, the intimacy developed by meditating in His Word and by spending time with Him, ignites an unshakeable confidence and trust. Oh, that we might know Him!
By Nelson Radford, Director of Prayer Ministry
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