Basic HTML Version
Countdown for Sodom, February 14
Genesis 18:16-33
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous
with the wicked? ... That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay
the righteous with the wicked: ... Shall not the Judge of all the earth do
right?
Genesis 18:23, 25
.
Abraham had honored God, and the Lord honored him, taking him into His
counsels, and revealing to him His purposes. “Shall I hide from Abraham that
thing which I do?” said the Lord....
And the man of faith pleaded for the inhabitants of Sodom. Once he had
saved them by his sword, now he endeavored to save them by prayer.... With
deep reverence and humility he urged his plea.... Himself a sinner, he pleaded
in the sinner’s behalf. Such a spirit all who approach God should possess. Yet
Abraham manifested the confidence of a child pleading with a loved father. He
came close to the heavenly Messenger, and fervently urged his petition.
Though Lot had become a dweller in Sodom, he did not partake in the
iniquity of its inhabitants. Abraham thought that in that populous city there must
be other worshipers of the true God.... Abraham asked not once merely, but
many times. Waxing bolder as his requests were granted, he continued until he
gained the assurance that if even ten righteous persons could be found in it, the
city would be spared.
Love for perishing souls inspired Abraham’s prayer. While he loathed the
sins of that corrupt city, he desired that the sinners might be saved. His deep
interest for Sodom shows the anxiety that we should feel for the impenitent. We
should cherish hatred of sin, but pity and love for the sinner.
All around us are souls going down to ruin as hopeless, as terrible, as that
which befell Sodom. Every day the probation of some is closing. Every hour
some are passing beyond the reach of mercy. And where are the voices of
warning and entreaty to bid the sinner flee from this fearful doom? Where are
the hands stretched out to draw him back from death? Where are those who with
humility and persevering faith are pleading with God for him
[52]
31
Patriarchs and Prophets, 139, 140
.
51