Good Morning. 

Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” (Genesis 18:22-23)

From here until the end of this chapter, Abraham intercedes for the five cities of the plain.

In this we see Abraham’s compassion for others and God’s willingness to hearken to His servant. Abraham does not take glee in the pending destruction of the wicked and this is not God’s heart either. This is something that we all need to take to heart and commit ourselves to abiding by. God doesn’t delight in the destruction of the wicked and neither should we.

“As I live,” says the Lord GOD, “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways!” (Ezekiel 33:11)

In Luke’s Gospel, as Messiah was making His way toward Jerusalem to be crucified, the Bible records how, upon entering into Samaria, two disciples took great offense to the Samaritans lack of hospitality where Jesus was concerned. Their indignation provoked them to ask, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” (Luke 9:54). They were so incensed at their behavior that they were ready to destroy them altogether. Yet Yeshua’s response to the disciples behavior was, “The Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” (Luke 9:56). 

That is what we must remember: God wants to save lives, not destroy them. Our Father is about redemption and life and, therefore, we must be as well. Abraham is an example of one who does not hold contempt for evildoers; he wants them to repent. Furthermore, it becomes apparent that his logic was, if there were a group of righteous, they might positively affect the wicked.

In our day it is easy to harbor contempt and derision for wicked people. Yet, like Abraham, we should despise the actions without hating the person. Remember our God is always ready to pardon the sin of those who are repentant. We must be ready to do that as well.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill  

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