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Abraham's Intercession for Sodom

Illustration of Abraham's Intercession for Sodom

In the book of Genesis, Abraham learns from the Lord that Sodom and Gomorrah are to be destroyed because of their great sin. Standing before God, Abraham intercedes by repeatedly asking if the cities would be spared for the sake of a decreasing number of righteous inhabitants, from fifty down to ten. God agrees to each request, demonstrating His mercy and justice in responding to persistent prayer. This account is significant in Scripture as it illustrates the role of intercession by the righteous and God's relational engagement with humanity.

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Details

Category
Intercession
Prayed by
Abraham

Key Passages

The Intercession

Genesis 18:23-33

A23nd Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?

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? 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? 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. 27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes: 28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. 29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for fortyโ€™s sake. 30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. 31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twentyโ€™s sake. 32 And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for tenโ€™s sake. 33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.

Did You Know?

1

Abraham boldly negotiated with God, starting at 50 righteous people and working down to 10.

2

God was willing to spare entire cities for the sake of just 10 righteous people.

3

This shows both God's justice and His remarkable willingness to show mercy for the sake of a few.