23 Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Abraham asks the Lord one of the most fundamental questions in theology: Is God just? This question gets asked today more in the form of an accusation: If there is a God, then why is there all the suffering in the world? What about those starving children. If God is a loving God, why doesn’t He do something to help them? Abraham is standing on a hill looking over the valley where two ancient cities are thriving. But they are thriving in sin and corruption. The Lord stands at his side as they both watch two angels walk down to approach the city for an official inspection tour. The Lord wants a firsthand report of the happenings in the city. But he already knows what is going on; He is God after all and knows everything. The Lord’s real reason rests in His relationship with Abraham. The Lord remains behind in order to stand with Abraham. What is Abraham’s reaction going to be as judgment gets passed on these two cities? Is Abraham reflecting God’s character of grace or not? Does Abraham have compassion for these people? Is he willing to be their advocate? This is exactly what Jesus did for us. Abraham begins a conversation with the Lord. He has provided some food and a little refreshment prior to the two angel’s departure. Now he stands side by side with the Lord as they gaze across the valley, the silhouettes of the other two shrinking with each step toward the cities. Abraham knows judgment in coming and his nephew Lot and his family are in the city. He knows there is compromise evident in Lot’s life. How can he intervene to save his nephew? Abraham appeals to the justice of the Lord. But Abraham’s view of righteousness is very different from the Lord’s. Abraham should have appealed to God’s mercy. That is really what these people needed. Mercy is really what we need, getting what we don’t deserve. We all deserve judgment, but Jesus makes it possible for us to receive mercy.
The Arnold Journey 