Genesis 18:23

_AND ABRAHAM DREW NEAR, AND SAID, WILT THOU ALSO DESTROY THE RIGHTEOUS WITH THE WICKED?_ And Abraham drew near. The traditional spot where this memorable intercession was made is called Caphar barucha, whence, through a ravine, a distant view of the Dead Sea and its environs is to be obtained (see further the note at Genesis 19:27). The scene described is full of interest and instruction-showing in an unmistakeable manner the efficacy of prayer and intercession. (See also Proverbs 15:8; James 5:16.) Abraham reasoned justly as to the rectitude of the divine procedure (Romans 3:5-6); and many guilty cities and nations have b

23._Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? _It is certain that when God chastises the body of a people, he often involves the good and the reprobate in the same punishment. So Daniel, Ezekiel, Ezra, and others like them, who worshipped God in purity in their own country, were suddenly hurried away into exile, as by a violent tempest: notwithstanding it had been said ‘The land vomiteth out her inhabitants, because of their iniquities,’ (Leviticus 18:25.) But when God thus seems to be angry with all in common, it behoves us to fix our eyes on the end, which shall evidently discriminate the one from the other. For if the husband man knows how to separate the grains of wheat in his barn, which with the chaff are trodden under the feet of the oxen, or are struck out with the flail; much better does God know how to gather together his faithful people, — when he h

23-33 Here is the first solemn prayer upon record in the Bible; and it is a prayer for the sparing of Sodom. Abraham prayed earnestly that Sodom might be spared, if but a few righteous persons should be found in it. Come and learn from Abraham what compassion we should feel for sinners, and how earnestly we should pray for them. We see here that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Abraham, indeed, failed in his request for the whole place, but Lot was miraculously delivered. Be encouraged then to expect, by earnest prayer, the blessing of God upon your families, your friends, your neighbourhood. To this end you must not only pray, but you must live like Abraham. He knew the Judge of all the earth would do right. He does not plead that the wicked may be spared for their own sake, or because it would be severe to destroy them, but for the sake of the righteous wh...

Verse Genesis 18:23. _WILT THOU ALSO DESTROY THE RIGHTEOUS WITH THE WICKED?_] A form of speech similar to that in Genesis 18:17, an invariable principle of justice, that the righteous shall not be punished for the crimes of the impious. And this Abraham lays down as the _foundation_ of his supplications. Who can pray with any hope of success who cannot assign a _reason_ to God and his _conscience_ for the petitions he offers? The great sacrifice offered by Christ is an infinite reason why a penitent sinner should expect to find the mercy for which he pleads....

- The Visit of the Lord to Abraham 2. השׂתחיה _vayı̂śtachû_ “bow,” or bend the body in token of respect to God or man. The attitude varies from a slight inclination of the body to entire prostration with the forehead touching the ground. 6. סאה _s__e__'ah_ a “seah,” about an English peck, the third part of an ephah. The ephah contained ten omers. The omer held about five pints. This chapter describes Abraham’s fellowship with God. On the gracious assurance of the Redeemer and Vindicator, “Fear not, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward,” he ceased to fear, and believed. On the solemn announcement of the Conqueror of evil and the Quickener of the dead, “I am God Almighty; walk before me and be perfect,” he began anew to walk with God in holiness and truth. The

EXPOSITION GENESIS 18:23 AND ABRAHAM DREW NEAR. I_.e._ to Jehovah; not simply locally, but also spiritually. The religious use of יִגַּשּׁ as a performing religious services to God, or a pious turning of the mind to God, is found in Exodus 30:20; Isaiah 29:13; Jeremiah 30:21; and in a similar sense ἐγγίζω_ _is employed in the New Testament (cf. Hebrews 4:16; Hebrew

AND ABRAHAM DREW NEAR,.... To the Lord; he approached nearer to him, to have more close and intimate conversation with him on the subject of the destruction of Sodom, which he perceived, by what had been said, was like to be; he drew nigh to God in prayer; so the Targum of Jonathan, "and Abraham prayed and said;'' he drew nigh with faith and freedom, and an holy boldness and confidence, and yet with great reverence of the divine Majesty, and in all humility, under a deep sense of his own meanness and unworthiness: AND SAID, WILT THOU ALSO DESTROY THE RIGHTEOUS WITH THE WICKED? having in his mind righteous Lot, who dwelt in Sodom, whom he knew to be a just man, though he had departed from him, and was dwelling in such a wicked place; and he might charitably hope there were more in so large a city and in the parts adjacent, at least that were not so flagitious and abominably wicked as t...

Genesis 18:17. _And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him._ Abraham is called «the friend of God.» It was not merely that God was his Friend; that was blessedly true, and it was a great wonder of grace; but he was honoured to be called «the friend of God»'-one with whom God could hold sweet converse, a man after his own heart, in whom he trusted to whom he revealed his secrets. I am afraid there are not many men of Abraham's sort in the world even now; but, wherever there is such a man, with whom God is familiar, h

NEAR Communion vs. (Genesis 18:23); and intercession go together....

CHAPTER 18 THE SIXTH COMMUNICATION AND JEHOVAH VISITS ABRAHAM _ 1. The manifestation (Genesis 18:1)_ 2. Abraham's welcome (Genesis 18:3) 3. The promise repeated (Genesis 18:9) 4. Sarah's laughter (Genesis 18:11) 5. The departure towards Sodom (Genesis 18:16) 6. Abraham's intercession (Genesis 18:17) This most remarkable visitation was the answer of Jehovah to Abraham's obedience of faith. The one in the middl