DAILY BIBLE READING July 8th, 2020 GENESIS 18:16-33 (GNT)

God’s Life-Giving Word of Promise

INTRODUCTION

Genesis 18:16-33: Abraham accompanies the three visitors as they overlook Sodom, and Abraham pleads with the LORD to spare the city from destruction.

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 18:17B, 18

[The LORD said:] “I will not hide from Abraham what I am going to do. His descendants will become a great and mighty nation, and through him I will bless all the nations.”

TODAY'S READING

Abraham Pleads for Sodom

16Then the men left and went to a place where they could look down at Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on their way. 17And the Lord said to himself, “I will not hide from Abraham what I am going to do. 18His descendants will become a great and mighty nation, and through him I will bless all the nations. 19I have chosen him in order that he may command his sons and his descendants to obey me and to do what is right and just. If they do, I will do everything for him that I have promised.”

20Then the Lord said to Abraham, “There are terrible accusations against Sodom and Gomorrah, and their sin is very great. 21I must go down to find out whether or not the accusations which I have heard are true.”

22Then the two men left and went on toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham. 23Abraham approached the Lord and asked, “Are you really going to destroy the innocent with the guilty? 24If there are fifty innocent people in the city, will you destroy the whole city? Won't you spare it in order to save the fifty? 25Surely you won't kill the innocent with the guilty. That's impossible! You can't do that. If you did, the innocent would be punished along with the guilty. That is impossible. The judge of all the earth has to act justly.”

26The Lord answered, “If I find fifty innocent people in Sodom, I will spare the whole city for their sake.”

27Abraham spoke again: “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. I am only a man and have no right to say anything. 28But perhaps there will be only forty-five innocent people instead of fifty. Will you destroy the whole city because there are five too few?”

The Lord answered, “I will not destroy the city if I find forty-five innocent people.”

29Abraham spoke again: “Perhaps there will be only forty.”

He replied, “I will not destroy it if there are forty.”

30Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, but I must speak again. What if there are only thirty?”

He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty.”

31Abraham said, “Please forgive my boldness in continuing to speak to you, Lord. Suppose that only twenty are found?”

He said, “I will not destroy the city if I find twenty.”

32Abraham said, “Please don't be angry, Lord, and I will speak only once more. What if only ten are found?”

He said, “I will not destroy it if there are ten.” 33After he had finished speaking with Abraham, the Lord went away, and Abraham returned home.

REFLECT

How many times did Abraham plead with the LORD? In each instance, how did the LORD respond? What are your thoughts about the dialogue between the LORD and Abraham? Have you ever pleaded with God for something? In today’s reading, is God portrayed as judgmental? Compassionate? Both? What does today’s reading teach you about God?

PRAY

Loving and merciful God, you hear our cries and our pleadings. Give heed to my voice this day, and may my prayers and petitions be in accord with your will. Trusting in your steadfast love and care, I pray in your holy name. Amen.

PRAYER CONCERN

Those facing a difficult decision