The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 18:26-33, “So the LORD said, ‘If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city,
then I will spare the whole place on their account.’
27 And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although
I am but dust and ashes.
28 “Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because
of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”
29 He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said,
“I will not do it on account of the forty.”
30 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are
found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
31 And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are
found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.”
32 Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”
33 As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the LORD departed, and Abraham returned to his place.”

Do parents bargain? I don’t believe I ever thought of it just that way, but I learned as a
mere kid not to give up –at least, not easily. Years later, when positions were changed,
I thought back and realized what my parents must have been thinking when I challenged
them like my kids were now challenging me.

Maybe it’s not best to use the word “challenge” with respect to Almighty God. To do that
seems to put us both on the same level, when certainly we are not! No one has the
“footing” required when we use the word “level’ with respect to a mere man and his God.
I am certain Abraham thought of that much quicker than you or I. God doesn’t play games!

Abraham, however, was thinking of Lot and his family over there in Sodom. The LORD was
the only One who could rescue them. Abraham had to put everything before the LORD!
He commenced slowly:

“Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city
because of five?” It seemed a reasonable request.

The LORD replied, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”

Whew! “Suppose forty are found there?” Abraham said cautiously.

And again the LORD said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.”

With things going so well between them, Abraham remained in a de-escalating position and
worked his bargain with the LORD down to ten. Can you imagine doing such a thing? No?
We do it all the time! God is not unreasonable! But, He is ultimately in charge! He knew from
the beginning exactly how many “righteous” people resided in the City of Sodom.

We simply can’t play games with God –and win! He knows from eternity past, who will and
when we will attempt to bargain with Him over an infinite number of things! Just be smart!
Don’t get cute with God! Had Abraham not been in righteous standing before the LORD,
He would never have allowed the bargaining to even commence. What does that say about
us? Think about it!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom