Daily Devotions

Then he said, “Oh do not let the Lord be angry if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” vs. 32

Genesis 18:27-32

A lot of people have bargained with God through the centuries, but it’s doubtful that any could match Abraham’s success. Bit by bit he chipped away at God’s intentions until he got the deal he was looking for. And of course, as the story continued, it didn’t do any good. The ten could not be found and the city of Sodom was destroyed! It’s a well-told story, and the Hebrews even made it part of their scriptures. The problem is that it paints a picture of God as both a judge and a destroyer, and that isn’t even close to the image of the Divine that we see in Jesus. Jesus ushered in a kingdom of peace and love, and there’s no indication that he saw in his Father any hint of vengeance or retribution. Still, there’s something about the bargaining Lord of Genesis that we find appealing, especially when we are confronted with the most appalling aspects of human behavior. On some days we would love to see those worst offenders subjected to the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. But that’s not the way of Jesus, and as his followers we’ll just have to learn to love the unlovable and pray for our enemies.

Thought for the Day: Who do I wish God would destroy?