05.023. Chapter 18
Shortly after the events of the preceding chapter, three men appeared to Abraham. Actually two of them were angels and the other was the Lord Himself. With typical Middle Eastern hospitality, Abraham and Sarah entertained the angels unawares (Hebrews 13:2) and One who was greater than angels (Genesis 18:1-8). When Sarah overheard the Lord say that she would have a child within a year, her laugh betrayed her unbelief. She was rebuked with the searching question, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” But the promise was repeated in spite of her doubting (Genesis 18:9-15). Hebrews 11:11 indicates that Sarah was basically a woman of faith in spite of this momentary lapse.
After the Lord revealed to Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom, and while the two angels were walking toward that city, Abraham’s great intercessory countdown began—50. 45, 40, 30, 20, and finally 10. Even for 10 righteous people the Lord would not destroy Sodom (Genesis 18:16-33)! Abraham’s prayer is a wonderful example of effectual intercession. It was based on the character of God (Genesis 18:25) and evidenced that boldness, yet deep humility which only an intimate knowledge of God can give. Only when Abraham stopped pleading did the Lord close the matter and depart (Genesis 18:33 NASB). There are many mysteries in life for which the truth of Genesis 18:25 is the only satisfying answer.