Thursday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Genesis 18:26-33
26 And the Lord replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”
27 Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. 28 Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?”
And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.”
29 Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?”
And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.”
30 “Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?”
And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.”
31 Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”
32 Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?”
And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
33 When the Lord had finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way, and Abraham returned to his tent.
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
18:26–33 As Abraham engages with God on the fate of the righteous in Sodom, different scenarios are presented whereby the hypothetical number of righteous in the city is gradually reduced from 50 to 10 (vv. 26–32). God eventually affirms that for the sake of ten I will not destroy it (v. 32). The principle has been established that God will not punish the righteous along with the wicked. As the next chapter reveals, only Lot and two of his children are actually rescued from the destruction of Sodom.
Study Questions:
- Abraham is negotiating with God, asking if there are 45, 30, 20 or 10 righteous people there if God will refrain from destroying the whole city. Why does he stop negotiations at 10? Why didn't he keep pressing God until he got as low as he could? Evidently, he recognized that there WEREN'T any people righteous enough to save the city. This story leaves a question that only the New Testament will answer. Is there no one who is righteous enough to plead on behalf of the wicked earth and stay the wrath of God on our behalf? There are NONE that have walked the earth that are righteous, except for Jesus. And He acted on our behalf to save us from destruction. Jesus’ righteousness was so great, and His sacrifice so immensely satisfying to God, that on Jesus’ behalf we can ask for forgiveness for our own sins and God will give it to us. Think about what it feels like to realize that we deserve what Sodom got because of our sin and wickedness. How often are you thankful for the grace shown to you?
- Take some extra time today to sit in God's presence. Thank Him for all He's done for you and for showing you such unfathomable grace and mercy. Recenter your heart in light of all this and choose to walk in humility and gratitude today. As you go throughout your day, be thinking about who you can share this message with. Ask God to put someone in your path!
Pray:
- That you would be thankful for God's grace.
- That you would have the boldness to share God's grace with someone today.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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