18th.: Abraham’s Countdown, Part III
The Lord answered Abraham,
“If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.” (Gen. 18:26).
Abraham didn't see that coming.
How could there not be fifty righteous people?
Abraham took the initiative to respectfully ask God if he would spare
S&G if there were only five less than 50.
The Lord accepted this lower limit.
Abraham didn't see this either. So Abraham revised his limit.
The Lord graciously allowed Abraham to repeatedly lower the count - all the way down to ten righteous people.
The Lord might have allowed Abraham to request an even lower limit. But Abraham was too astounded to keep going.
As it was, when Abraham was done, “… the Lord went his way, as soon as he left communing with Abraham.” (Gen. 18:33a).
The Lord may not offer, but he will listen to us.
How much are we willing to push an issue with God. - to keep praying, until He gives an answer?
“God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew (i.e. destroyed) the cities in which Lot dwelt.” (Gen. 19:29)