Lesson 7
Read: Genesis 18:17 – 19:1-38 - www.bible.com/bible/59/gen.18
Abraham:
- Mercy – compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone who is within one's power to punish or harm
- Compassion – sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others
- Courage – enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery
- Persistence – the ability to stick with something
The Lord, in the form of a man, with the two angels also looking like men, walked toward Sodom after they enjoyed Abraham’s hospitality. Abraham was walking with them. Abraham, the Lord’s servant, was also called “a friend of God,” and the Lord talked with him as a friend. He assured Abraham he was going to become a great, strong nation, and all the people of the world would be blessed through him. God's way of redemption for all mankind would come through Abraham’s descendants.
God continued telling Abraham, “The victims in Sodom and Gomorrah cry out loudly; the sin in these cities is overwhelming. I’m going down to see for Myself what is going on.”
After the Lord revealed what He was going to do, the two men continued on, but Abraham stood talking with Jesus more. He gave Abraham the opportunity to show compassion for his neighbors by praying for them.
Abraham asked the Lord, “Are you really planning to destroy the good people in Sodom along with the bad people? If there are 50 decent people left in the city, will you kill all the people – good and bad together? Would you spare the city to save 50 innocent lives? I know You, the Judge of all the Earth, will judge with justice.”
God promised, “I’ll spare the city of Sodom if there are 50 good people there.”
Because Abraham shared God’s characteristics of mercy and compassion (his nephew Lot and family lived in Sodom), he persisted courageously and asked the Lord if He would spare Sodom for 45 … then 40 … 30 … 20 … even 10 good people. Each time God promised to spare Sodom if He found only that number of good people in the city.
God left when He had finished talking to Abraham, and Abraham went home.
Apply God’s Word to your life:
*Why do you think God told Abraham about Sodom?
*What must we do to hear what God has to tell us? (Read Mark 4:24-25 and John 16:13-14.)
Lesson 7 - Abraham, Man of Faith Print
Modified on: Mon, 6 Feb, 2023 at 8:17 PM
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