The Love Of God

Genesis 18:17-33

“And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; Seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” (Genesis 18:17-19)

Abraham was living about twenty to thirty miles from Sodom and Gomorrah. Smoke from a forest fire two hundred miles away was visible here in Kirtland this summer. When God destroyed Sodom and the surrounding area, the smoke would have been from Abraham‘s home. The fire and brimstone may also have appeared like a volcano erupting. Such a sight would have been very troubling, especially knowing that Lot lived in the area. Abraham had already saved Lot once for being there. God decided to allow Abraham to know what was happening so he would not be upset by what he saw. What a loving God we have!

God still has the same concern for the peace of those who believe in him. II Thessalonians 2:1-5 expresses this concern. “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?”

Just as God revealed his purpose to Abraham even though it would not affect him, he has revealed his plans to the Christians even though they will not be seriously affected by the events, just to relieve our minds as we see things taking place.

“And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know. And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD. ” (Genesis 18:20-22)

God knew exactly what was going on I Sodom, yet he would not bring judgment without double checking what was going on. That God is so careful to not unjustly condemn anyone is amazing. It is much like his checking the book of life for each person’s name before they are condemned to hell, as described in Revelation 20:12-15. Though he knows, he still checks the record for each one so there can be no mistake.

“And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Genesis 18:23-25)

Abraham knew the wickedness of Sodom, refusing to allow them ot link their name to him when he had rescued Lot from Chedorlaomer’s alliance. Nevertheless, his nephew Lot, who lived in Sodom, had been raised as if he were his younger brother, and Abraham was concerned about him. Would Lot be destroyed with the rest of the people of Sodom? Surely God would not be so unjust as to destroy Lot just because he was there.

Many Christians have the same mixed feelings about the Second coming, understanding and even welcoming the judgment of wickedness but troubled at the thought of loved ones who may not be saved. Like Abraham, we may begin to pray that God will not let it happen until certain ones get saved, despite the wickedness we see around us. He began to ask God for assurance that Lot would be spared.

“And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.” (Genesis 18:26)

God understood Abraham’s concern for Lot, and that Abraham was not just being selfish. He never rebukes him for his love and concern for Lot. Love for others only becomes a problem when it supersedes our love for God.

“And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.” (Genesis 18:27-28)

Abraham Lot had associated himself with wicked people and perhaps some of his servants had turned from the Lord. Perhaps there weren’t fifty who still did. Would God settle for something less? The more he thought about it, the more he doubted Lot’s testimony. The constant association with evil could have led away many of the servants who’d gone along with serving God while they were associated with Abraham.

"And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.” (Genesis 18:29-31)

Surely Lot would have at least managed to reach his own family, and some of them were old enough to be married. That would make at least ten people. Abraham asked for the Lord to save the city for ten people’s sake.

“And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.” (Genesis 18:32)

We forget how patient God is with man. He did not send the flood until only eight people still served him. He agreed to save the entire population of the valley containing the dead sea if there were just en righteous people there. Speaking of the second coming, in Luke 18:8, Jesus asked, “…when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Apparently, so many will have turned away that it will seem as if none believes any more.

“And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.” (Genesis 18:33)

Even Abraham didn’t realize how far Lot had gotten from the Lord. He thought he would have at least taught his own family. How many of us assume that because those around us claim to be Christians, or go to church, they are okay?