Fully Devoted: Israel, Act 1Sample

Abraham and Sodom and Gomorrah

Genesis 18 contains two powerful stories that tell us a lot about God and Abraham, and the kind of relationship that God wants with us. 

Right before this chapter, Abraham demonstrated His commitment to God through circumcision, along with his entire household. The very next thing we’re told is: 

The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. Genesis 18:1-2 NIV

While we can’t know for sure, this appears to take place right after Abraham’s circumcision! That means, fresh from surgery, Abraham responds to the arrival of these visitors by jumping up to his feet and hurrying to greet them. 

Abraham doesn’t stop there though. He pulls out all the stops to welcome these visitors, showering them with extravagant hospitality. After greeting them personally, he finds a spot for them to rest in the shade, has water brought to them, food cooked for them, and then personally selects the best animal to be cooked and prepared for these visitors. 

Abraham was bringing these mysterious visitors his very best.

This extravagant hospitality is a consistent quality that Abraham and his descendants display over and over again. This reflects the heart that God has for people because, as we will discover, making space at the table for those who are hungry, thirsty, and in need of rest, is a big deal in the kingdom of God. 

The second story illustrates the ridiculous boldness, or as the Jewish people would call it, chutzpah (pronounced hutz-pah), that set Abraham apart from others. 

Later in the chapter, God tells Abraham:

... “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.” Genesis 18:20-21 NIV

The story of Sodom and Gomorrah is often used to illustrate God’s wrath against sin and His commitment to justice. But if we look closer, we see just how much God values our input in this partnership. 

The first thing to notice is that God is going to investigate Sodom and Gomorrah because of how great the outcry against them has become. The wickedness and sin taking place in Sodom and Gomorrah has gotten so bad that God can no longer ignore the cries of the innocent and suffering that resulted from their horrific practices. 

This is not a story of God randomly showing up to do violence against these people—it’s God stepping in to put an end to a group of powerful people who are taking advantage of those who can’t defend themselves. 

The second thing to notice is the way God responds to Abraham’s questions. 

... “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?” ... The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Genesis 18:23-24, 26 NIV

God doesn’t get angry at Abraham for this act of boldness. Instead, He agrees to his request. But Abraham doesn’t stop there. Eventually, God tells Abraham that if there are even ten righteous people who can be found in Sodom and Gomorrah, He will spare the cities. 

God’s response to Abraham shows the kind of relationship that God wants with us. God wants us to bring our questions, dreams, and desires to Him. He is a compassionate God who cares for us. He wants our honesty and vulnerability. Prayer is how we get close to the God who hears the cries of the suffering, and the God who responded to the request of Abraham. 

That is chutzpah. Abraham was bold enough to haggle with God, and God’s response wasn’t to dismiss or punish Abraham for his boldness, but to respond with mercy. That’s who God is. He is loving and compassionate. He is patient and doesn’t want anyone to perish. He gives people grace upon grace upon grace. But He will never override our ability to choose Him or to reject Him. 

Here’s what we can’t miss: Abraham’s chutzpah, his boldness, wasn’t self-serving, but others-focused. He showed extravagant hospitality to a few travelers, and boldly asked God to spare the innocent. And God responded to both of those events by showing favor to Abraham. The example Abraham sets for us is an example defined by faith, boldness, and care for others. This is what set him apart. 

As followers of Jesus, we can love and serve with boldness on behalf of others because we know that when we do, we are working in partnership with the God of Abraham who hears the cries of those who are hurting. 

Journaling Questions 

• What in today’s reading stood out to you the most? Write it down in your journal. 
• How can you show extravagant hospitality to the people around you?
• What does the conversation between Abraham and the Lord tell you about prayer?

Memory Verse

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV