Shall I Hide? The Lord Reveals His Justice to Abraham
God reveals His righteous purposes to His covenant people, calling them to align with His justice.
Genesis 18:16-21 (BSB)
16 When the men got up to leave, they looked out over Sodom, and Abraham walked along with them to see them off.
17 And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?
18 Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and through him all the nations of the earth will be blessed.
19 For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
20 Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Because their sin is so grievous,
21 I will go down to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me. If not, I will find out.”
What is the big idea of Genesis 18:16-21?
God reveals His righteous purposes to His covenant people, calling them to align with His justice.
How does Genesis 18:16-21 point to Christ?
God’s righteous judgment against sin reveals the need for mercy and intercession, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God’s justice shape your understanding of sin?
- What responsibility do you have to pursue righteousness and justice?
- How do you respond to the reality of God’s judgment?
- Where are you called to intercede for others?
- What does it mean to lead others in righteousness?
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.