Genesis

Genesis 18:16-21

God reveals His righteous purposes to His covenant people, calling them to align with His justice.

Genesis 18:16-21 (WEB)

16 The men rose up from there, and looked toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to see them on their way.

17 Yahweh said, “Will I hide from Abraham what I do,

18 since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him?

19 For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of Yahweh, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that Yahweh may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.”

20 Yahweh said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous,

21 I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know.”

Central Idea

God reveals His righteous purposes to His covenant people, calling them to align with His justice.

Authorial Intent

To disclose God’s deliberation to reveal His impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah to Abraham, grounding it in covenant purpose and divine justice.

Chapter: Genesis 18

The LORD Visits Abraham, Reaffirms the Promised Son, and Reveals His Just Judgment on Sodom

The LORD confirms His promise to bring life where barrenness and impossibility remain, and He reveals Himself as the righteous Judge whose mercy and justice are both perfectly governed by His holy character.