Pleading for Wicked Sodom — Abraham and the Three Visitors

The Story of Sodom and Gomorrah

Sodom and Gomorrah along with the cities of Admah, Zeboiim, and Zoar (Bela) constituted the five “cities of the plain.” These cities were situated on the Jordan River plain in the southern region of the land of Canaan. The plain was compared to the land of Egypt (Genesis 13:10) as being well-watered and green, suitable for grazing livestock. Sodom was one of the most ancient cities of Syria and was the chief town in the settlement of the plains. Sodom and Gomorrah were cities notorious for their flagrant sins such as sexual immorality, perversion, haughtiness, fullness of bread (overfed), idleness, and indifference to the poor and needy.

When Abraham knew God’s plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, he pleaded with God to spare the city of Sodom if He can find fifty good people. God assures Abraham that if He finds fifty righteous people, he will spare the city for their sake. Abraham further begs with God and finally gets down to a very lesser number of ten people as God answers, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it” (Genesis 18:32). So, the truth is there were not even 10 righteous people in the city.

Abraham and the Three Visitors

Abraham encounters three visitors from heaven who convey a special message to him and his wife Sarah.

Four lessons can be learned from this unique moment in Abraham’s life.

1. God brings us to the end of our strength so that we will trust in His ability to do the impossible.
2. Unbelief stems from a human perspective that leaves God out.
3. The Lord confronts our unbelief so that we will see things from His perspective.
4. When we trust God to do the humanly impossible, He rewards us.

Lessons from Sodom and Gomorrah

Sodom and Gomorrah, notorious for vice and depravity, were two ancient cities that were destroyed by God as a punishment for the wickedness of their inhabitants. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire for being proud and doing detestable things before God.

The story of these cities is one that details the destructive consequences of sin. It serves as a lesson of the consequences of sin and the wrath of God.

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