God and Abraham had a very special relationship. Here he was sending
the three divine visitors off as they were heading towards Sodom and Gomorrah. So
as they were walking, the Lord felt the necessity to reveal to Abraham concerning
His mission to evaluate the wickedness of those cities. So verse 22 tells us
that the two angels had actually moved ahead toward the twin wicked cities,
leaving the Lord talking to Abraham. It was not because God was unaware of the level
of wickedness of those cities but He wanted to alert Abraham to it. For He knew
that Abraham’s nephew, Lot and his family of four, had chosen to move to live in
the city of Sodom. God knew how much Abraham still felt for his nephew despite
their dispute. Like God, Abraham was also aware of the level of wickedness in
those cities. He knew that it was beyond the Lord’s tolerance. Although at no
point of the conversation did the Lord say He would destroy those two cities, yet
Abraham knew God would, because of the atrocities there.
With his nephew Lot in mind, Abraham interceded for God not to
destroy the righteous with the wicked. Skilfully, He appealed to the justice and
fairness of God. He was persuading God not to destroy the righteous with the
wicked. It must be said that the righteous is often defined by his or her relationship
with God. Lot and his family could have been influenced to believe in the God
that Abraham worshipped. Like Abraham, they too could have also put their trust
and faith in Him. Though we know their decision was not always exactly right,
they nonetheless had personal faith in Abraham’s God. That defined their status
with God. Similarly, our faith in Christ Jesus, and not the things we do, that defines
our status with God. He see us through the righteousness we have in Christ. However,
it must be said that when we put our faith in Christ, it does not mean that we have
the freedom to do what we like. But we have the freedom to do what is right in
God’s sight.
The intercession Abraham had with God showed us how patient God
truly is. Abraham asked if God would consider not destroying the cities if they
were fifty righteous found there. God said He would not destroy the cities, if
fifty could be found. Patiently God listened to the patriarch’s bargain,
dropping from fifty to forty-five to thirty, to twenty and finally to ten. Each
time the Lord would concede to his figure to spare the cities if He could find
that number of righteous people. In his heart of hearts, Abraham was probably hoping
that there would at least be ten righteous found in Sodom. We know that God finally
destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, suggesting that He could not even find ten righteous
where Lot lived. The inability to identify even ten righteous in Sodom was an
indictment on Lot. Despite his belief in God, he had influenced none virtually.
In the same way, how sad it would be if we, as believers of Christ, are unable
even to influence one person for the Lord with our life and conduct! It would be a grave indictment! As soon as God
had finished His conversation with Abraham, he left and the patriarch then
returned home.
We notice in these twelve verses that it was God who alerted
Abraham to intercede. Although Abraham knew about the wickedness of Sodom and
Gomorrah, he only began to intercede for the righteous when God alerted him to
the prevailing wickedness there. Just as God had alerted Abraham to pray, the
prevailing wickedness of the world should be God’s call for us to pray for our
nation. We must intercede for our family, relatives, friends, neighbours,
colleagues and all in our nation, especially those yet outside of God’s
Kingdom. Our prayer will move the hand that moves the world. The number of righteous
people will make a difference with God in His decision to deal with our city. When
the number of Christians increases we will impact how God will deal with our city.
We are the salt of the earth and light of the world. Our righteousness makes a
difference in where we live. We do play a key part in whether God’s name will
be honoured in our nation or not. Let us pray and live to influence our city
for God!
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