Our Intercession May Require Adjustment

So the LORD told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.” The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the LORD remained with Abraham. Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked? Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes? Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?” And the LORD replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.” Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And the LORD said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.” Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?” And the LORD replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.” “Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?” And the LORD replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.” Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?” And the LORD replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.” Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?” And the LORD replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.” [Genesis 18.20-32]

The first thing we need to consider about this little story is the fact that Abraham asked God, "Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked?" In other words, "Are You going to wipe out Sodom even if there are righteous folks there?"

Fact:

1. Abraham knew there were righteous people in Sodom
2. Abraham knew however God would not tolerate Sodom's sinfulness
3. Abraham interceded
4. God removed the one righteous man from Sodom (and his family)
5. God annihilated Sodom

So, Abraham, in the fashion of Christ, interceded for the city. However, as his intercession progressed and fact 2. above pressed upon his mind, Abraham refined his intercession. The fact is, Abraham pretty much knew Lot was the only righteous man in Sodom (Lot's wife and two daughters, although initially saved, proved their moral condition in short time).

What does it mean to us? I am not entirely sure.

We need to intercede. However, we need to understand that our intercession may require adjustment. Abraham had enough relationship with God to adjust his intercession (and Lot certainly benefited from it!).

Another thought to consider about this event is that our prayers may not always be answered like we think. God did honor His word to Abraham (Lot was saved), but He still destroyed Sodom.

Abraham could have just asked God at first to get Lot out of Sodom. Why didn't he?

Father, help me to learn what You are saying to me and the Church today through this account of Abraham's intercession.