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Outline:

Genesis 18:20-23, “And the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, 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.’ Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. And Abraham came near and said, ‘Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?’”

While the two angels leave Abraham and head “towards Sodom” it’s clear Ab and the Lord were going to have a chat. It’s interesting the text tells us Abraham initially “stood before the Lord” before he “came near.” I love the fact God made Himself so approachable! Never forget fallen man is only given an audience with the Most High - he never warrants it!

What’s also interesting is that while the Lord has only told Abraham He’s going to see what was going on in Sodom, Abraham insightfully presumes divine judgment would result. Ab knew what these cities were like. I’m sure the same “outcry” had reached his ears as well.

And yet, notice the question Abraham asks the Lord, “Would You destroy the righteous with the wicked?” As we read on, it’s important you keep in mind, this was the very question God wanted Ab to ask so that He might reveal Himself to Abraham in a profound way.

Genesis 18:24-26, “‘Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ So the Lord said, ‘If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.’”

Abraham’s notion that the Lord would not judge the righteous with the wicked was based upon his understanding of the person of God through the previous precedents established by God revealed through His Word. Ab was fully aware that while God had previously judged the world with a global flood, He spared Noah because he was found to be righteous.

In Abraham’s mind, logic only followed, that if there were enough righteous men and women in Sodom (thinking of Lot and his family) it would tip the scales and spare the city of judgment. The question was how many righteous would be necessary to tip the scales?

Genesis 18:27-33, “Then Abraham answered and said, ‘Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?’ So God said, ‘If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.’ And Abraham spoke to Him yet again and said, ‘Suppose there should be forty found there?’ So He said, ‘I will not do it for the sake of forty.’ Then he said, ‘Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?’ So He said, ‘I will not do it if I find thirty there.’

And he said, ‘Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?” So He said, ‘I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.’ Then he said, ‘Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?’ And He said, ‘I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.’ So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.”

If I’d been God I’m not sure I would have tolerated having such a negotiation with a man who’d failed more than he succeeded. I mean seriously it took an incredible amount of gaul for Abraham to have such a dialogue with the God of the universe! What gave him the right or the standing to have such a conversation with the Lord? How ironic that following their conversation we read “Abraham returned to his place.” I bet he did!

Read the Rest at: http://www.c316.tv/sermons/223