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Genesis 18:1-33 A Bargain with God

by fol CHURCH on January 19, 2019

This latter half of this passage has always intrigued me; as far as I am aware, there is no other instance of God changing his mind recorded in Scripture. To recap, three men visit Abraham and Sarah, and through them, God again foretells the birth of Isaac. Sarah is doubtful, as Abraham was before. God, Abraham and the three men look upon Sodom, and God tells Abraham of his plans to destroy the wicked city.

This is where it gets particularly interesting. As we read, we see Abraham interceding for Sodom, and he asks God if He would still destroy the city if fifty righteous people were found there. God says He would not destroy it for those fifty. Abraham goes further and asks if He would still destroy Sodom if forty-five righteous people could be found; again God says He would not. Abraham continues to bargain, until he asks if God would spare the city for only ten righteous individuals. God relents, saying that ‘[He] will not destroy it for the sake of the ten’. We find out in the next chapter (spoilers) that God does go on to destroy Sodom – but He rescues the righteous Lot and his family first.

I feel it is important that we do not jump to conclusions based on this passage. God does not habitually change His mind about things, and it would discredit Him to start thinking this. Indeed, He doesn’t completely change His mind here. This is not my point; instead, I see this passage and point to the intimacy of relationship between God and Abraham. Abraham loved and trusted God, and the language used to capture this conversation is seemingly not dissimilar to that used in the Garden of Eden. The passage describes Abraham ‘standing before God’ (v.22), and them going their separate ways (v.33). This is interesting that humanity’s sin in Genesis 3 prevented such proximity, yet Abraham was able to communicate freely with God without the need for an intermediary like a priest – or a king.

Someone once told me that God knows how we feel, so we might as well tell Him. God knew that Sarah doubted His promise, yet she denied laughing. It can be easy (often easier) to hide our emotions from other people, but there’s no point in doing so with God. He knows our fears, our insecurities, and our doubts – but He also knows our joys, our loves, and the things that excite us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Today, tell God how you’re feeling. Tell him what worries you, and what you’re looking forward to. Ask him to help you see where he is in each situation.

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