Righteous & Wicked

We’re at the point in our series in Genesis where we’re going to have to ask parents to be mindful of whether their kids should be in here with us during the sermon time, or not. It’s about to get a little PG-13. Nothing explicit, but next week’s sermon on Genesis 19 will cover more than one sensitive topic.

It’s God’s Word, so we’re not going to avoid it; but you need to decide if it’s wise for your children to hear this part of the Bible at this moment in their lives.

We have Junior Church and Children’s Church classes for kids up to 8th Grade. Your High School students would be welcome in Junior Church next week if you so choose.

This is not the first time we’ve read about Sodom. You might remember in Genesis 13, after Abram and Sarai and Lot took off to Egypt and then came back to Canaan, Abram and Lot each had too many flocks and herds, so they separated. Abram gave Lot the pick of the land.

Gen 13:10-13 “Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.”

A little while later, in Genesis 14 Abram rescues Lot and the people of Sodom from Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him.

The narrative in Genesis 18-19 is not the first mention of Sodom; Sodom as been around. But Sodom’s time is short.

The second half of Genesis 18, our text for this morning, is the preamble for what’s going to happen to Sodom and Gomorrah.

The three men who came to give Abraham and Sarah the timing of Sarah’s pregnancy and the birth of their son, are now on their way to Sodom.

[MAP]

The LORD and the two angels with Him are going to take off from Mamre (where Abraham and Sarah live). They’re going to head down to Sodom (where Lot, Abraham’s nephew lives).

This is where our text for this morning picks up.

Genesis 18:16–19 NIV

16 When the men got up to leave, they looked down toward Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them on their way. 17 Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? 18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. 19 For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”

It is an interesting thing the LORD does. The LORD, almighty and all-knowing, pauses and asks Himself a question about whether or not He should clue Abraham in on what He’s about to do.

This is something the LORD does, from time to time in the OT: He reveals His purposes to His servants.

You might remember from our study through the minor prophet, Amos (those were the sermons I tossed out ‘Famous Amos’ cookies to keep your attention as I preached through Amos)—you might remember the LORD Yahweh said this through Amos:

Amos 3:7 NIV

7 Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

So here, in Genesis 18, the LORD is going to give Abraham inside knowledge of His plans.

For the first time, one of the nations of the earth is blessed because of Abraham.

Genesis 12:2 NIV

2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

“Blessed” in this context means Sodom will have one who will step in and plead with the LORD on their behalf. Abraham will be their intercessor.

The LORD has made this covenant with Abraham. The LORD knows Abraham and Abraham knows the LORD.

Abraham has certain responsibilities, verse 19 tells us. He’s to direct his children and his household to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just.

Abraham is to be concerned with righteousness and justice. This is a theme that will run throughout this chapter.

Righteousness and justice are some of Abraham’s covenant commitments. Righteousness and justice are part of the LORD’s character.

Hold onto those ideas of righteousness and justice; that’s what this whole story is about.

The LORD has decided to clue Abraham in:

Genesis 18:20–21 NIV

20 Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous 21 that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”

This is the great and terrible truth:

The LORD Pays Direct Attention to the Matters of Our Lives

The LORD hears the cry of Sodom or the outcry against Sodom. Either way, He has heard what’s going on. He hears the cries of those who are oppressed and abused. The LORD hears. That’s the great news.

The terrible truth about the LORD paying attention is that, in addition to the cry/outcry, the LORD is aware of their great and grievous sin. Their sin so grievous…gets the LORD’s attention.

The sin of Sodom causes the outcry that reaches the hearing of the LORD.

So the LORD is going to head on down and see if it’s as bad as everything he’s been hearing.

This is almost a comical scenario. The LORD needs to go down, in person, to see what the situation is?!?! Like He’s the principal sitting at the back of the classroom to observe a teacher?

Doesn’t the LORD already know what’s going on?

Of course He does! This isn’t pointing to limited knowledge on His part. All that’s implied here is that God is giving His direct attention to the matter.

The LORD didn’t need that pit stop at Abraham’s tent, but he stopped there for a meal.

The LORD doesn’t need to go to Sodom; He knows about their sin, and yet He announces that He’s headed there to see.

This is the way of the LORD. He’s doing this to help with some of Abraham’s concerns. This is the LORD’s way of expressing how thorough He is in analyzing what’s going on in Sodom (and the neighboring Gomorrah).

He’s giving it His direct attention. It’s not that He’s just casually aware of what’s going on. He’s not listening in on the party-line or a few days behind on the local gossip. No, no.

The LORD is intimately aware of what’s happening. Every detail. In Sodom. In Gomorrah. In the United States. In our homes and churches. In our hearts.

He knows. Like really knows. There’s no hiding it from Him.

The Maker is aware. This is wonderful news for some. For others, this is dreadful, terrible news.

That the LORD is aware is wonderful news for those who are neglected and abused. For the forgotten and the forsaken. For the beaten-down and heavy-burdened. He hears you. Like Hagar, you can say, “He is the One who sees.” You are not alone or abandoned, friend. The God of Heaven sees.

The fact that the LORD is aware may also be terrible news. It’s a dreadful thing to realize the LORD knows your worst thoughts, your sinfulness, your devious intentions. He knows that thing you don’t want anyone to know. He knows. He searches hearts and knows every unspoken word.

The LORD pays direct attention to the matters of our lives. And this is either a comfort or cause for concern.

If you’re living life for yourself, going it on your own, the direct attention of the LORD is a dreadful thought. You will be unable to stand before Him on your own if you’re leaning on your own ability or goodness.

If you, by faith in Jesus Christ, belong to the LORD then His direct attention to the matters of your life will be a comfort, an assurance, a fortress, a respite for your soul.

You probably have some idea about what’s going to happen to Sodom. Their fate is fairly well-known to us.

But Abraham is concerned for them. Abraham is concerned for the people of Sodom. There are people living in Sodom who are related to him; people he loves. So Abraham is about to get involved:

Genesis 18:22–25 NIV

22 The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24 What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

Abraham is very bold before the LORD, so bold he dares to ask the LORD some rather pointed questions. He knows enough about the LORD to know

The LORD is Always True to His Nature and Character

This is a hook placed low for Abraham to hang his hat upon. He knows the LORD Yahweh is always true to His nature.

We can hang our hats there, too. The LORD will never betray Himself or His nature; in fact, He can’t betray His nature or act in contradiction to Himself.

Abraham knows this, as should we. Abraham approaches the LORD, confident that the LORD is always true to His nature, knowing he can ask the LORD some questions in line with that.

Abraham’s first line of questions (vv. 23-24) concerns whether the LORD would indiscriminately kill the innocent along with the guilty? Would the LORD sweep away the city altogether?

Abraham is appealing to the LORD’s mercy because of what Abraham knows about the LORD’s character and nature. The LORD can be merciful because He is righteous and just.

There’s an appeal here based on the mercy of God, and the logic that flows from the knowledge of a merciful God. “You wouldn’t destroy a whole city and kill everyone, even the righteous, would you?”

The “far be it from you” used twice in verse 25 is a stunning way to phrase this. Abraham knows, he knows, the LORD is not the type of God who would just wipe the whole city off the map.

Even the possibility is outlandish to Abraham when he’s thinking about the LORD doing such a thing. Abraham knows better because he knows the nature and character of the LORD.

In the same vein, Abraham knows the nature and character of the LORD is such that the wicked will not go unpunished. The LORD is just.

Abraham’s question at the end of verse 25 is a question, but it kind of reads like a statement. It’s a question, but it’s also a truth. It’s a question, but it’s highlighting the nature and character of the LORD.

Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Of course the LORD will do what is right. This is something people know, everyone from Moses to Nebuchadnezzar:

Deut 32:4 “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.”

Daniel 4:37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything He does is right and all his ways are just.”

This question from Abraham to the LORD is not a challenge or an affront. It’s a testimony about Abraham’s belief in his God’s integrity and predictability.

The people of the LORD know—without a doubt—that the LORD is true to Himself, to His nature and His character. This is our great comfort: our heavenly father isn’t fickle, he doesn’t bring home stress from work and take it out on the kids. The LORD is not temperamental. He doesn’t fly off the handle.

He is steady. Constant. We can depend upon that.

The LORD is patient and kind. He’s just and merciful. He’s true to His nature. Always. His character is consistent. Always.

In keeping with His nature and character—merciful and just—the LORD answers Abraham’s question about sparing the city if there were 50 righteous people there:

Genesis 18:26–33 NIV

26 The Lord said, “If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” 27 Then 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, 28 what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five people?” “If I find forty-five there,” he said, “I will not destroy it.” 29 Once again he spoke to him, “What if only forty are found there?” He said, “For the sake of forty, I will not do it.” 30 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak. What if only thirty can be found there?” He answered, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31 Abraham said, “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, what if only twenty can be found there?” He said, “For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.” 32 Then he said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?” He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” 33 When the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left, and Abraham returned home.

The LORD is Perfect in Justice and Gracious in Mercy

This exchange makes me laugh. It’s always read, to me, like a kid wagering with his parents for a later curfew.

“How about 10:30?”

“Fine. 10:30 is good.”

“Well, what about 11:00, then?”

“11:00 is okay. Be home right at 11:00.”

“You know, 11:30 isn’t that much later than 11…”

My sister played that game with my parents until the time started moving backwards. Have you been there? She always pressed it too far.

“How about 11:00?”

“I said 10:30, but we can make it 10:15 if you’d like.”

My sister never did catch on; not real bright, that one.

It seems like Abraham is haggling with the LORD. 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, 10.

It seems like haggling, but the right word is ‘exploring’—Abraham is feeling his way forward in a spirit of faith in the LORD’s justice. Abraham is expressing humility before the prefect and just Judge of all— I’m nothing but dust and ashes…let me speak just once more…

Abraham is humbly expressing his love and concern for the people of the city, not just for his family who lives there (Lot and those belonging to him).

But notice: nowhere does Abraham challenge God’s evaluation of Sodom’s moral wickedness and depravity. That’s not up for debate.

Abraham doesn’t say anything about the LORD Yahweh, Righteous Judge, excusing their sin or looking the other way.

Abraham is asking the LORD for mercy. In asking for mercy, Abraham becomes the pattern for others in the OT who intercede for the people: Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Job, Amos, Moses.

The LORD agrees that if 10 righteous people are found there, He will show mercy and not destroy the city.

That’s pretty incredible, isn’t it? Abraham, appealing to the nature and character of the LORD, asks about the possibility of some righteous people living there. The Just Judge wouldn’t destroy the righteous along with the wicked.

The grace and mercy of the LORD is on full display, if only in permitting Abraham to question Him, haggle/explore the scenario.

As I mentioned, this text is merely the preamble for what’s going to happen in Genesis 19. Most probably know the big picture, but that’s for next week.

This morning, we are meant to be struck by who the LORD is:

The One who pays attention to the details of our lives,

The One who is always true to Himself (His nature and character),

The One who is perfect in justice and gracious in mercy.

>On Monday, as I was working through this passage, I found myself answering Abraham’s questions in Genesis 18 out loud.

If anyone stopped by, they would have either thought I had someone in my office or that I was going crazy.

When Abraham asked the LORD: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”

I responded: “No. But He will, at just the right time, sweep away His Son, the Righteous One for the sake of the wicked!”

When Abraham asked the LORD: “Will you kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike?”

I answered Abraham and said, “No, not here. But He will, at the appointed time, put the Righteous One to death FOR the wicked so that the Righteous One pays for the sins of the wicked!”

That’s grace and mercy, the likes of which no one could begin to imagine.

What the LORD did in offering His Son in the place of sinners is absolutely true to His nature and His character.

Giving Jesus to us, to die the death we deserve, is the product of the LORD paying direct attention to the details of our lives.

We could never, never, ever satisfy the wrath of God and live. So Jesus came as the offering that turns away the wrath of God.

Romans 3:21–26 NIV

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

The LORD is perfect in justice, isn’t He? Jesus is the payment and satisfaction of our sins. The LORD is both just and the One who justifies.

It’s who He is. That’s His nature and His character.

The LORD is gracious in mercy—merciful to sinners like me and you, sinners of the worst kind.

The LORD knows all the details of your life. He is perfectly Holy and Just. There’s no way you, or anyone else, could ever measure up to His holy standard. Only Jesus. Only Jesus. Only Jesus could. And He did.

The Righteous gave up His life for the wicked. That is, Jesus gave up His life for me. And for you.

I pray you put your belief and hope and trust in the LORD today. Believe in Him. Belong to Him. Be saved today from His holy and righteous wrath by hiding yourself in Jesus!

Brothers and sisters, friends:

Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”