23 And Abraham came near, and said, Will you let destruction come on the upright with the sinners?
Then falling down on their faces they said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, because of one man's sin will your wrath be moved against all the people?
And when David saw the angel who was causing the destruction of the people, he said to the Lord, Truly, the sin is mine; I have done wrong: but these are only sheep; what have they done? let your hand be against me and against my family.
The Lord is in his holy Temple, the Lord's seat is in heaven; his eyes are watching and testing the children of men. The Lord puts the upright and the sinner to the test, but he has hate in his soul for the lover of violent acts. On the evil-doer he will send down fire and flames, and a burning wind; with these will their cup be full. For the Lord is upright; he is a lover of righteousness: the upright will see his face.
Let such a thing be far from you, to put the upright to death with the sinner: will not the judge of all the earth do right?
How may a hater of right be a ruler? and will you say that the upright Ruler of all is evil?
But it is good for me to come near to God: I have put my faith in the Lord God, so that I may make clear all his works.
But if the righteousness of God is supported by our wrongdoing what is to be said? is it wrong for God to be angry (as men may say)? In no way: because if it is so, how is God able to be the judge of all the world?
Let us go in with true hearts, in certain faith, having our hearts made free from the sense of sin and our bodies washed with clean water:
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Genesis 18
Commentary on Genesis 18 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 18
We have an account in this chapter of another interview between God and Abraham, probably within a few days after the former, as the reward of his cheerful obedience to the law of circumcision. Here is,
Gen 18:1-8
The appearance of God to Abraham seems to have had in it more of freedom and familiarity, and less of grandeur and majesty, than those we have hitherto read of; and therefore more resembles that great visit which, in the fullness of time, the Son of God was to make to the world, when the Word would be flesh, and appear as one of us. Observe here,
Gen 18:9-15
These heavenly guests (being sent to confirm the promise lately made to Abraham, that he should have a son by Sarah), while they are receiving Abraham's kind entertainment, they return his kindness. He receives angels, and has angels' rewards, a gracious message from heaven, Mt. 10:41.
Gen 18:16-22
The messengers from heaven had now despatched one part of their business, which was an errand of grace to Abraham and Sarah, and which they delivered first; but now they have before them work of another nature. Sodom is to be destroyed, and they must do it, ch. 19:13. Note, As with the Lord there is mercy, so he is the God to whom vengeance belongs. Pursuant to their commission, we here find,
Gen 18:23-33
Communion with God is kept up by the word and by prayer. In the word God speaks to us; in prayer we speak to him. God had revealed to Abraham his purposes concerning Sodom; now from this Abraham takes occasion to speak to God on Sodom's behalf. Note, God's word then does us good when it furnishes us with matter for prayer and excites us to it. When God has spoken to us, we must consider what we have to say to him upon it. Observe,