Genesis
18:20-33— Abraham
bargains with God not to destroy Sodom for the sake of 10 righteous people. In
addition to the idea of persistence in prayer, our Old Testament lesson teaches
us a number of timeless truths. God is concerned about conditions on earth. Vv.
20-21. We do not have a God high in the heavens who could not care less what
happens on earth. In the case of Sodom, God Himself comes down to the city for
a first-hand investigation. God knows and cares about the human condition.
The wrath of God is real. In verse 22 God intends to
destroy the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sin is punished. The wrath of
God is visited upon the wicked. This applies to any city or nation at any
period of history. A corrupt society will experience its consequences. In verse
25 Abraham tests God’s justice. Would God destroy the righteous along with the
wicked? God would not do that; He is a just God.
Vv. 27 and 30 speak concerning the attitude of one in
prayer. Abraham realizes he has no right he had no right to speak to God, to
approach God, to make any requests. This is the attitude of one who knows his
finiteness and unworthiness to speak to God in prayer. Prayer is no friendly
chat between equals. It is an audience with the Holy One, full of majesty and
glory. Sodom was destroyed because 10 righteous people were not found in the
city. Diogenes could not find one honest man in his land. Are there as many as
10 really righteous people in your city?
Collect for the Seventh Sunday
after Pentecost: Grant Lord, that the course of this world may be so
governed by Your direction that Your Church may rejoice in serving You in godly
peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord.[2]
Collect for Proper 12: O
Lord, let Your merciful ears be attentive to the prayers of Your servants, and
by Your Word and Spirit teach us how to pray that our petitions may be pleasing
before You; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our lord, who lives and reigns with
You and the Holy Spirit, One God now and forever. [3]
Collect for
Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 7:
Grant, Lord, that the course of this
world may be so governed by your direction that your Church may rejoice in
serving you in godly peace and quietness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who
lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. [4]
[1]Lot
flees Sodom Woodcut by Baron Julius Schnorr von
Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German artist known especially for his
book, The Book of Books in Pictures ©WELS for personal and congregational use
[2]
Collect for Pentecost 7, Lutheran Worship © 1980 Concordia Publishing House,
St, Louis
[3]
Collect for Proper 12, Lutheran Service Book, © 2006 Concordia Publishing
House, St., Louis
[4]
Collect for Wednesday of the week of Pentecost 7, For All the Saints, A Prayer
Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity
Bureau, Delhi, NY
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