Seventh Sunday after Pentecost: Old Testament, Genesis 18:20-33                   

Genesis 18:20-33

We all love to read of the great faith of our Old Testament ancestors. And of course at the top of the heap is Father Abraham. From his pagan beginnings he has come a long way with the LORD by the time we get to this week’s reading. Abraham is a justified man. And we know the ground of that justification is the promise of God which Abraham has taken to himself by God-given faith. But one of the great lessons of the Old Testament, indeed the entirety of Scripture, is observing how those justified by faith still have room to grow in it.

Here Abraham engages God in a dialogue over the fate of the foul cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. No locales from their time to this carry a larger “stink” about them. Even those not familiar with the Bible often know at least something of the fame of their debauchery. Abraham has a nephew who lives there with his family and so Abraham “bargains” for their lives as he questions the intentions of God regarding pending judgment. Abraham knows that God is just. Abraham is learning about the extent of God’s patience and mercy.

Read our text and challenge yourself with what would have ruled your conversation with God in that same situation. If you’re a justified person, how blessed are you. If you’re still learning about the mercies of the Lord, you’re equally blessed. Because it’s a lesson our Lord loves teaching.

Lord, have mercy.