Wayfinding Bible - Flipbook - Page 36
30
Genesis 18
PG 28
18:16–19:38
SCENIC
14
SODOM AND GOMORRAH
Years before, when Abram and Lot separated, Lot chose to live in the valley of the
Jordan River, near the southern end of the Dead Sea. As time passes, the citizens
of this region, including the people in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, become
more and more wicked. God is appalled by their social injustice and vile behavior.
When he sees all the evil that is going on, he decides to wipe out both cities.
Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why,
you would be treating the righteous and the
wicked exactly the same! Surely you w
ouldn’t
do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth
do what is right?”
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.”
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“Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abra
ham 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.
25
SODOM AND GOMORRAH
Gen 18–19
Sodom and Gomorrah were located on the
south end of the Dead Sea in the Jordan
Valley. In Abraham’s time, this area was
densely populated and very fertile, with a
major water source. The exact location of
these cities is uncertain because the area
became desolate over time. Some believe
that the ruins of the cities lie in the shallow
waters of the Dead Sea.
ABRAHAM INTERCEDES FOR SODOM
Then the men got up from their meal and
looked out toward Sodom. As they left, Abra
ham went with them to send them on their way.
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“Should I hide my plan from Abraham?”
the Lord asked. 18 “For Abraham will certainly
become a great and mighty nation, and all the
nations of the earth will be blessed through
him. 19 I have singled him out so that he will
direct his sons and their families to keep the
way of the Lord by doing what is right and
just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have
promised.”
20
So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard
a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant. 21 I am going down
to see if their actions are as wicked as I have
heard. If not, I want to know.”
22
The other men turned and headed toward
Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abra
ham. 23 Abraham approached him and said,
“Will you sweep away both the righteous and
the wicked? 24 Suppose you find fifty righteous
people living there in the city—will you still
sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes?
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