- Scripture: Genesis 18:16–18:33
- The Anchor: “Abraham spoke up again: ‘Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes… What if only ten can be found there?’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.'” – Genesis 18:27, 32
God reveals His thoughts about the future of Abraham’s family while also telling Abraham that He is going to judge Sodom and Gomorrah because they have sinned so heavily against Him. Abraham, knowing his nephew Lot is living there, steps in to intercede for the people of Sodom. He asks if the righteous will be swept away along with the wicked, knowing that since God is a fair and merciful Judge, He would never treat the righteous and the wicked the same way. Abraham humbly negotiates with God, asking for Sodom to be spared if even just ten righteous people can be found there. In the end, there aren’t even ten, and God goes on His way to execute judgment.
I don’t think God speaks His opening monologue directly to Abraham; rather, it reads like His inner thoughts. This reminds me of the famous verse in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God knew the exact plans He had for Abraham’s descendants before they were even born, and He knows His plans for us as well. Personally, I want to be more trusting of Jesus and give Him the steering wheel of my life, because I know He has a good plan for me just like He did for Abraham.
This passage is a clear example of what happens when nobody does God’s work in evangelism. Lot was a righteous man, yet he failed to bring the people of Sodom to God. This failure cost him and the entire city everything, especially since God’s target number was only ten righteous individuals. The only righteous people in the entire place were Lot and his immediate family, which didn’t add up to ten. When we neglect evangelism, judgment falls upon the unrighteous, and sometimes that can affect entire communities. This passage feels like a direct call to do God’s work of evangelism in our world.
Reflection
- Abraham humbly but boldly negotiated with God because he cared deeply about the people facing judgment. When you hear about people who don’t know God, do you feel an urgency to pray and intercede for them, or is it easy to become indifferent?
- Lot was personally righteous, but he kept his faith to himself, leaving his city completely unimpacted. Looking at your own daily circles—whether you’re studying, practicing, or playing games with friends—how can you be intentional about living out your faith openly rather than keeping it hidden?
Prayer
Lord, thank You that Your plans for me are for welfare and not for evil, to give me a future and a hope. I hand the steering wheel of my life over to You today. Give me a heart that breaks for the people around me who don’t know You, and give me the courage to be an active witness for Your kingdom. Amen.