God Does Right
Genesis 18:16–33
But Abraham still stood before the Lord. Genesis 18:22

Abraham’s pleading that Sodom be spared destruction is a remarkable example of a prayer of intercession! It is remarkable on God’s part that he would allow Abraham so to entreat him. It is remarkable on Abraham’s part too. It shows the degree to which Abraham had progressed in his friendship and fellowship with God. Of course, Abraham does not get everything exactly right. When he asks, “Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (v. 25 NIV), he is almost suggesting that God might not do right or that mere human beings, including himself, might have a base on which properly to evaluate God’s actions. Abraham should have known that God always does right, regardless of how his actions might appear to us. Still, he had nevertheless progressed quite a bit in knowing how to present his petitions.

Abraham’s prayer suggests four great principles for our prayers. First, it is a modest prayer. Abraham did not demand knowledge of God’s secret purposes in election, nor did Abraham think this knowledge necessary for making his petitions. We may learn from this that there is no need for us to feel hindered or restrained in praying for unconverted individuals or cities or the world just because we do not know what God’s ultimate purpose may be concerning them or it. We can even be encouraged in prayer, knowing that prayer is a means of God’s working and that he delights to hear and answer the intercessory petitions of his saints.

Second, it is a humble prayer. That is, it does not suggest even for a moment that because Abraham was a certain kind of person or had done certain things, God was under some obligation to hear him and answer his entreaties. On the contrary, Abraham said, “I am nothing but dust and ashes” (v. 27 NIV).

Third, it is a persistent prayer. The prayer may be read in just a few seconds, as with most scriptural prayers. But it is written in such a way as to cause us to think that Abraham rightly persisted with God in uttering these requests. Abraham intercedes for Sodom six times. Moreover, as each part of his request was granted, he seems to have been encouraged to come back and try the same approach again.

Fourth, it is a persuasive prayer. It was not by pleading any claim on God, for Abraham had none, as we have seen. It was persuasive in that it pleaded God’s own character and glory. Abraham pleaded no merit in himself, but he argued that God must be seen and known to do right, which would not be the case if the righteous were to perish with the guilty.

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.