In chapter 18 God disclosed to Abraham his judgment on Sodom. Abraham understands that God’s just nature is tempered by mercy. What Abraham doesn’t understand at the beginning of his conversation with God is how great his mercy really is. Since Lot was sitting at the city gate Sodom was a walled city probably of many thousands people. As Abraham asks God about his mercy he grows to understand that a remnant of faithful people will stay God’s hand of judgment. Throughout the history of Abraham’s children we see this expression of God’s nature revealed over and over again. Centuries after Abraham’s discussion with God the prophet Elijah felt all alone in the corrupt land of Israel during the reign of Ahab. He complained to God that there was no one else faithful in all of Israel. God revealed that there 7,000 in Israel who had been faithful to God. For the sake of those 7,001 God had not sent Israel away from his presence. Both of these stories show just how effective a small witness for Christ can be in any community.
It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart
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