The Intercessory - Genesis 18:16-33

This Sunday we’ll consider the second half of chapter 18 when Abraham intercedes for Sodom. (We considered the first half of chapter 18 about Sarah’s laughter during our Advent series).

Abraham’s actions provide an example to the church and insight into Jesus Christ. Abraham intercedes for Sodom based on God’s character, with humility and reverence, but with persistence and boldness. Abraham’s actions are akin to Moses’ intercession for Israel in Exodus 33 and Samuel’s intercession for Saul in 1 Samuel 12:23. In like manner, CPC is called to intercede for our community, that God would awaken our neighbors out of their spiritual stupor and into faith in Christ.

Abraham knows that the sins of the few can implicate the many and he argues this principle in reverse. He asks, “Can the righteousness of the few cover the sins of many?” Sadly, Sodom is judged because there are no righteous in the city. However, Abraham’s intercession points to Jesus Christ. It is Jesus’s righteousness, His perfect obedience, which covers over and atones for the evil of our hearts.

Sodom was a city marked by injustice, oppression, violence, and sexual immorality. We are stained with these same sins. We also fail to pray for and intercede on behalf of our community. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ delivers us from judgement based on His righteousness. Furthermore, as He reigns in glory, He has sent forth the Holy Spirit to transform us into people of justice, purity, and prayer.