Debating with God

Gen 18:22-33 (NKJV)

22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
26 So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”
27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: 28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy all of the city for lack of five?”
So He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.”
29 And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?”
So He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.”
30 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Suppose thirty should be found there?”
So He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31 And he said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?”
So He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.”
32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?”
And He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” 33 So the Lord went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.

What is the purpose of this debate?  Why did God include this deliberation between Abraham and Himself?  Do I really believe Abraham changed God’s mind?  No, I don’t.   I believe God already knew there were no righteous men in Sodom, even before the “others” went there.  That would imply that God went down this rabbit trail with Abraham for Abraham’s benefit.  Why?

A.  God’s Character

It’s possible God wanted to reveal a part of His own character to Abraham.  Abraham knew his nephew was in the city, and either knew or hoped that he could count Lot as one righteous man.  Perhaps with as many herdsmen and servants Lot had, that there would be a few more he could add.  God may have wanted Abraham to know that His love for mankind superceded His wrath against the cities.

verse 19 tells that God knows Abraham is going to be telling the coming generations about Himself and therefore he wants to clear up any questions about both sides of his justice and his mercy.

B. Abraham’s understanding

It’s entirely possible that God wanted Abraham to know that he could approach God and speak to Him, plead his case to Him, argue with Him, and disagree with Him as long as it was done in earnest humility.  v23 says “… Abraham came near and said…”

James 4:8 “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.”

Ps 73:28 “But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God.  That I may declare all Your works.”

Abraham was living out these passages as he walked and talked with the Lord en route to Sodom.  Again, v19 discusses how Abraham would “… declare all of [His] works…” to his children and their children and impact generations.

C. My and your benefit

So why is it recorded?  For you and me.  Everything God wanted to teach and show Abraham, God wants to teach and show me and you.  God wants me to know that His love for me and for mankind supercedes his need for vengance and wrath.  God wants me to know that He is accessible and open and approachable.  God wants me to know I can speak with him about anything at all.