Gen 18:23 | KingComments | STEP | God’s communications concerning Sodom and Gomorrah have an effect on Abraham which is worth to be imitated. Instead of retreating into complacency because judgment does not affect him, he becomes an intercessor for others. Before that he comes “near” ( ), he comes close to the LORD. This must also be the effect for us in everything the Lord reveals to us about the judgment that comes over the world. This prayer of Abraham is the first prayer we find in the Bible and it is a prayer to spare Sodom. Abraham has already acted in favor of the city before and has freed its inhabitants from the hand of its enemies for the sake of Lot ( ). Now he intervenes for the city in a different way, as an intercessor, again for the sake of Lot. Abraham undoubtedly abhorred the wickedness of Sodom. He never would have chosen to live there, like Lot did. Yet he prayed fervently and urgently for the city. We must hate sin, but feel sorry for sinners and pray for them. God takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live” ( ). God’s desire should also be our desire. That desire is expressed in the first place in our intercession ( ). Intercession does not require a spiritual gift, but a heart that shares in God’s feelings. Or should He also be astonished about us, because He finds no spirit of intercession in us ( ; )? Abraham’s faith grows with every answer to his prayers. Each time he gets what he asks for. We see in him “the holy persistence” of prayer ( ) that bridges the infinite distance between creature and Creator. This is the kind of prayer that constantly insists on God and doesn’t indulge until He gives in. Each time the LORD confirms that He will spare the city for the sake of the righteous if they are found there. It is an encouragement to us that we must continue to ask, for God hears the prayer of the righteous. Abraham prays with knowledge of God. He knows Him as “the Judge of all the earth” Who deals justly ( ; ). That is the starting point and the basis of his intercession. He knows that God will never sweep away the righteous with the wicked. He also approaches God in the deep awareness of his own smallness before Him in the recognition that he is dust and ashes (cf. ; ). If we approach in that attitude, we may know that our prayer is pleasing to Him ( ). As long as Abraham asks, the LORD gives. We have here abundant evidence of prayer answering. When the LORD has finished speaking because Abraham doesn’t ask further, He goes away. It seems as if Abraham eventually does not get what he asked for, but in the next chapter we see that his prayer has been answered ( ).

‏ Genesis 18:23

Intercession of Abraham

God’s communications concerning Sodom and Gomorrah have an effect on Abraham which is worth to be imitated. Instead of retreating into complacency because judgment does not affect him, he becomes an intercessor for others. Before that he comes “near” (Gen 18:23), he comes close to the LORD. This must also be the effect for us in everything the Lord reveals to us about the judgment that comes over the world.

This prayer of Abraham is the first prayer we find in the Bible and it is a prayer to spare Sodom. Abraham has already acted in favor of the city before and has freed its inhabitants from the hand of its enemies for the sake of Lot (Gen 14:11-16). Now he intervenes for the city in a different way, as an intercessor, again for the sake of Lot.

Abraham undoubtedly abhorred the wickedness of Sodom. He never would have chosen to live there, like Lot did. Yet he prayed fervently and urgently for the city. We must hate sin, but feel sorry for sinners and pray for them. God takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Eze 33:11).

God’s desire should also be our desire. That desire is expressed in the first place in our intercession (1Tim 2:1-4). Intercession does not require a spiritual gift, but a heart that shares in God’s feelings. Or should He also be astonished about us, because He finds no spirit of intercession in us (Isa 59:16a; Eze 22:30 ; Eze 13:5)?

Abraham’s faith grows with every answer to his prayers. Each time he gets what he asks for. We see in him “the holy persistence” of prayer (Lk 11:8) that bridges the infinite distance between creature and Creator. This is the kind of prayer that constantly insists on God and doesn’t indulge until He gives in. Each time the LORD confirms that He will spare the city for the sake of the righteous if they are found there. It is an encouragement to us that we must continue to ask, for God hears the prayer of the righteous.

Abraham prays with knowledge of God. He knows Him as “the Judge of all the earth” Who deals justly (Gen 18:25; Job 34:10-11). That is the starting point and the basis of his intercession. He knows that God will never sweep away the righteous with the wicked. He also approaches God in the deep awareness of his own smallness before Him in the recognition that he is dust and ashes (cf. 2Sam 7:18; Job 42:5-6). If we approach in that attitude, we may know that our prayer is pleasing to Him (Pro 15:8b).

As long as Abraham asks, the LORD gives. We have here abundant evidence of prayer answering. When the LORD has finished speaking because Abraham doesn’t ask further, He goes away. It seems as if Abraham eventually does not get what he asked for, but in the next chapter we see that his prayer has been answered (Gen 19:29).