Tuesday 30 June 2009

Background

This passage concerns the fate of the towns of Sodom andGomorrah. Abraham's nephew Lot had moved to Sodom with his familyand livestock (to avoid any conflict between the families over land- Genesis13). Even then, the people of Sodom had a bad reputation(Genesis 13:13). Some years later, after his three mysteriousvisitors have confirmed the promise that Sarah will bear a son,Abraham goes to send them on their way (Genesis 18:1-16).Destination: Sodom.

It is important to note (although difficult to understand) thatthese three visitors seem to be representatives of God in thenarrative: they are God's envoys, and messengers, and yet God isone of them. Sometimes they speak on the Lord's behalf, sometimesthe Lord speaks 'in person'. And then two of them are sent to beGod's eyes and ears in Sodom.

At this point, the Lord seems to hesitate. Is Abraham to be toldwhat is planned, or not? For reasons we will come to shortly, Godtells Abraham of the 'outcry' that has reached God of the sin ofSodom and Gomorrah. Abraham seems uncannily aware of the probableconsequences of this. He knows the city will most likely bedestroyed.

There then follows a wonderful interaction between Abraham and Godthat gives the impression that Abraham doesn't quite understand whohe's dealing with! Not only does he bargain with God, but heactually appears to be teaching God a lesson about God! (OldTestament Professor Walter Brueggemann points out that, remarkably,the original writings may well have placed God standing beforeAbraham: a picture of Abraham as God's 'theological instructor'.This picture has been reversed in translation.)

At stake in Abraham's argument is not just the fate of the city,but the very character of God. Will God indeed destroy the innocentwith the guilty? Abraham knows that God is not a cruel scorekeeper,who delights in pouncing on the guilty, but rather one who wouldcelebrate the righteousness of a few. The result is that thesurvival chances of Sodom and Gomorrah are given a remarkableboost. (Like a football team fighting a relegation of oblivion,their chances are increased when the 'points' they need are greatlyreduced.) Thanks to Abraham, they only need to find ten righteouspeople and they will be saved.

Abraham's bargaining rests on God's compassion and justice.Unfortunately, chapter19 shows Abraham must have overestimated the people ofSodom. While the 'sin' of Sodom remains unclear, we get animpression of how violent, depraved and inhospitable they hadbecome.

This week we are exploring, in passages from Genesis, the Covenantblessing. This passage focuses on the issue of righteousness(encompassing justice and compassion, not just 'good behaviour').In the demonstration of God's power that is to come (chapter 19),Abraham learns how important righteousness is for the people of theCovenant - they must understand the Lord's standards.

To Ponder

Does the outcome of chapter 19 surprise you?Why?

Have you ever tried to bargain with God? Isn't itamazing to know that God allows us to question God's ways? Where dowe see this also reflected in the story of Christ?

Verse 33 reads "and Abraham returned to hisplace". After standing over God as questioner and judge, he thenreturned to his proper status. Are there times when we need to stepback into our place? What are they for you?

Where, in our society, have standards droppedwell below what we might call 'righteousness'? How can we stand outagainst this?