Posted on 02/01/2008 4:15:20 PM PST by WileyPink
Genesis 18:20 And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;
Genesis 18:21 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.
Genesis 18:22 And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.
Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
Genesis 18:24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
Genesis 18:25 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 18:26 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 19:12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides a son-in-law, and thy sons, and thy daughters? and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place:
Genesis 19:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
Genesis 19:14 And Lot went out, and spoke unto his sons-in-law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons-in-law.
Genesis 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
Gen 19:16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.
“Do You Care About Others?”
There are hundreds of ways to show others that we care about them. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit CaringBridge.com. It is neat to show love and concern by signing the address book, and/or leaving a message. The family could update the website and read the messages sent. At times, we desire to pray for others, and sometimes the urging of the Holy Spirit calls us to pray for others — intercessory prayer. Abraham’s talk with God caused him to intercede for the people of Sodom.
1. Open Your Mind to Judgments’ Reality, Genesis 18:20-21
With joy Abraham received three visitors — angels in the form of men, one being the angel of the Lord. Abraham quickly offered hospitality of a place to rest, water to wash their feet and food and drink to refresh their hearts. Abraham enjoyed the visit and received confirmation of the son to be born to him and Sarah. As the men arose to leave they looked towards Sodom. Abraham accompanied the visitors a short distance while the angel of the Lord pondered thoughts of confiding in Abraham their intended purpose. Acknowledging that Abraham would be a great nation and influence their walk in the Lord, he speaks of the outcry against Sodom. The words struck a tender cord in Abraham’s heart, for Lot had “pitched his tent toward Sodom” Genesis 13:12 KJV. The outcry was a wicked city with perverted moral values — homosexuality of the men, young and old. The visit to the city would verify the condition of the city and the reality of judgment.
2. Offer Intercessory Prayer, Genesis 18:22-26
The two visitors went to Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. Abraham stood still before the Lord, showing a drastic change in behavior. The previous verses record his busyness to provide food and comfort. Abraham’s focus is now on the Lord, so he comes near to engage His heart. The stated question is the beginning of an intercessory prayer — “Would you also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” Genesis 18:23 NKJV. Abraham chooses to intercede as he knows God is obedient , is close to God and has a specific petition. Being an intercessor is part of being made in “His image,” as Jesus intercedes for us daily. Abraham asked another question — “Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city” Genesis 18: 24 NKJV. Abraham is aware of the sinfulness of Sodom but speaks on behalf of Lot as well as the inhabitants in the city. He shares his burden with the Lord for mercy and justice. The Lord knowing there are not fifty righteous men allows Abraham the liberty to intercede even down to ten righteous men. Each time the Lord granted Abraham’s humble petition as he persistently asked for mercy.
3. Observe God’s Compassion, Genesis 19:12-16
God’s compassion unfolds with Lot, his wife and two daughters being ushered out of Sodom. Judgment is inevitable as the outcry about Sodom has proven true. It is a sinful and wicked city. The two visitors had come to Sodom for an onsite observation. Upon arrival, Lot was found sitting at the gate to the city, suggesting some position of authority. He invited the men to rest at his house for the night; however. they offered to stay in the city square. Lot strongly opposed for their safety. That evening the men of the city called to Lot for the visitors to come “out to us that we may know them carnally” Gen 19:5 NKJV. All of Lot’s efforts to discourage their behavior failed — no reasoning, no offering his virgin daughters and no matter of persuasion could change the mind of the wicked men. Lot himself was in danger as the men pushed against the door to enter Lot’s house. The visitors used blindness to stop the aggressive behavior of the men. Lot was told “whomever you have in the city — take them out of this place” Genesis 19:12 NKJV “for it will be destroyed.” Lot told his sons-in-law, already or prospective, to leave the city, but they thought him to be joking. Lot had lost the respect of the men of the city. The sincerity of the compassion and the urgency of the judgment caused the visitors to literally take the hands of Lot, his wife and two daughters and lead them from the city before its destruction. God’s compassion saved the lives of Lot’s family..
Mellen Moore is a member of Macedonia Church; Petal, MS.
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In Christ...Alone!
When I was a teen in a SBC church I remember the invitation song was a song title “Do You Really Care.”
Are we doing two this week?
Is this it?
Do You Really Care
Author Bill Cates, Copyright 1967
Broadman Press (Admin. by LifeWay
Christian Resources)
Chorus 1
People grope in darkness
Searching for a way
Don't you know of someone
You can help today
Verse 1
I look around in the place that I live
I see people with so much to give
Yet there are those who are dying to know
Just that somebody cares
Do you really care
Do you know how to share
With people ev'rywhere
Do you really care
Verse 2
I see people just longing to know
What they can live for
And where they can go
We have the hope
And the purpose to share
But do we really care
Will you take the dare
Spread good news ev'rywhere
The cross of Christ to bear
Do you really care
In Christ...Alone!
Well, Kinda...
I've added the "Bible Studies for Life" series that Lifeway does. Some churches use this one and some that one...so...I'm just putting them both up.
Yup that’s the tune. Never knew who wrote it. Thanks.
Yup that’s the tune. Never knew who wrote it. Thanks.
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