QT 9/9/2025 Gen 18:16–25, What is my purpose and my joy?

Genesis 18:16–25 (ESV) —

16 Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. 17 The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, 18 seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? 19 For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” 20 Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.”

22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”

 

NOTE: A few things seem hard to understand on the surface. First, I don't think God was asking a question to his two other companions (angels) about whether to reveal his plan for Sodom. God intended to reveal the plan to Abraham and his question only reveals to Abraham his importance. God gives two reasons why he is revealing his plan. Abraham will be a mighty nation and all the earth will be blessed because of him. And he is to be an example of righteousness and justice to the world. But nearby, is exactly the opposite of what God desired for the earth. Men were destroying themselves spiritually and physically through their sin.

 

Secondly, God says the outcry has reached him in heaven, which meant that Abraham had surely heard of what was happening in that wicked city. God knows the sin, and yet on multiple occasions he makes inquiry through physical visits (Cain, then Babel). In this case, God's inquiry is through two angels (maybe the others were too). Maybe there is a lesson for angels to learn since they are not omniscient. I believe purpose in life is essential to existence, and possibly this is one of the purposes of angels. I wonder if God always uses an angel for these last minute visits.

 

Lastly, God stops walking and the angels continue on their way. In essence, God is standing before Abraham giving him a chance to plead (pray) for Sodom. Abraham approaches God and asks some very obvious and ultimately leading questions. And God is patient. I would answer Abraham and say that the righteous do suffer like the wicked many times. Our hope is not in this world, nor is our reward. I'm not sure Lot's life improved by being saved from Sodom. Our real reward is not here, but in heaven, in eternity, where like the angels we will have purpose and joy, and not be affected by a sin nature any more.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I seek my reward here on earth?
2. Are earthly joys and material rewards more important to me than what God offers?

 

PRAYER: Father, I enjoy your creation and life. Sometimes -- well, maybe oftentimes -- it has pain and suffering. And I believe I have a greater reward thanks to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for me. Thank you for answering prayers. Thank you for letting me cast my burdens upon you. Thank you for teaching me.