Abraham argues with God

Based on Genesis 18 v20 –32

Ian: Abraham and Sarah entertained three strange visitors, who announce that Sarah, though very old, will have a baby. She’s tempted to laugh. God is portrayed as not being amused at her scepticism! When the three visitors leave, Abraham walks with them along the road to see them off. They look down into the Jordan valley towards the town of Sodom. God tells Abraham what he is going to do:

God: I have heard a cry for help against the two towns of Sodom and Gomorrah. I must go down to see what it’s all about. I must know if their conduct is as bad as people say it is.

Ian: Abraham remained standing in God’s presence and asked:

Abraham: Would you sweep away the good people with the bad? Suppose there are fifty good people in the town, would you sweep it away – and not spare it for the sake of the fifty? I don’t think you could do such a thing – treat good and bad alike. Must not the Judge of the earth himself be just?

God: I will spare the whole town if I find fifty good people living there.

Abraham I am a mere man, and yet I dare to speak to you who are God. Suppose there aren’t fifty; suppose there are five short? Will you sweep away the whole town just because there are five short?

God: If I find forty five good people in the town, I won’t sweep it away.

Abraham: Suppose there are only forty?

God: For the sake of forty, I will not sweep the town away.

Abraham: Don’t be angry with me if I go on, but suppose the number is thirty?

God: I will not do it if I find thirty.

Abraham: I am daring to speak again, but suppose there are only twenty?

God: For the sake of those twenty, I will not sweep the town away.

Abraham: Don’t be angry with me for speaking again, but suppose only ten good people are to be found there?

God: For the sake of those ten, I will not sweep it away.

Ian: God had no more to say and went on his way; Abraham went home.