The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-05-07
Sunday Nav q

among the oaks of Mamre in the
heat of the day, three angelic visl-
tors appeared and accepted his
hospitality.
After eating the sumptuous
meal set before them they started
out upon the high road leading
direct to Sodom. The journey Of
Abraham with them was in ac-
cordance with custom. He may
have accompanied them several
miles, possibly las tradition says)
to point where through a ravine
they could see the Dead Sea. The
audible soliloquy Of Jehovah may
have occurred at the spot where
Abraham was about 60 turn home
ward.
REVELATION FROM GOD
Abraham Went with the Lord.
The revelation from God unveiled
the purpose of God. There was
the purpose of doom upon the
wicked cities Of the plain. There
was the purpose of revelation to
the most devout individual on
earth, for Abraham was profound
" interested in the fate of Sodom
not only as a resident Of southern
Canaan, but also as relative Of
Lot who had been living in Sodom
for perhaps 20 years. There was
the national aspect of the divine
purpose in the great and mighty
nation - great in character and
mighty in influence--which should
be descended from Abraham.
There was an international aspect
of the divine purpose in the bcne-
ficence through Abraham's pos
terity to all the nations of the
world. Moreover, there was the
family aspect in the divine pur-
pose which was conditioned upon
Abraham's instruction to his FAM
ily and household who at his COM
mand and after his example
should keep the way of Jehovah
and do Righteousness and Justice IN
the earth. There was, finally, the
personal aspect of the divine pur-
pose in the fulfilment of promise
TO Abraham concerning the chosen
people who should through all
ages revere him as their pious and
illustrious progenitor.
INTERCESSION WITH GOD
Abraham Stood Before the
Lord. The intercession with God
came Immediately after the de-
cree of destruction was made
known by the Lord to the pious
patriarch. He prayed fervently
and repeatedly for the wicked
cities of the plain. And every
prayer he offered was answered.
Abraham realized that he was IN
the presence of the Most High
well he knew the excessive wick
edness of the cities of the plain;
and now he was assured that
mercy was exhausted and Justice
was coming apace. In the City of
Sodom now resided the hayward
Lot with his family. Though he
had abruptly and selfishly left his
uncle. devoted himself solely to
the acquisition of wealth, and
identified himself with his wicked
fellow citizens at the expense OF
both his spiritual happiness and
influence, yet he was the relative
of Abraham, the object of his
fatherlv care, affection, and So
licitude. What shall become OF
him in the overthrow Of Sodom?
The faithful Abraham makes it an
object of prayer, and so begins
his fervent pleading in behalf of
Lots adopted city. In devout hui
mility Abraham reverently APP
preached Jehovah with the plea,
"Wilt thou also destroy the right
eous with the wicked?" He urged
that probably 30 righteous per-
sons could be found in the city.
Surely, thought he, the good might
avert the storm of wrath destined
for the bad: at all events, it could
not be possible that the righteous
should be slain with the wicked.
Is not God perfect in character
and all his acts above reproach?
As Abraham argued, Shall not
the Judge of all the earth do
right" The plea was not without
avail. The Lord responded, II /
find in Sodom 80 righteous with,
in the city, then will spare all
the place for their sakes. HIS
plea had been successful, but
Abraham knew SO well the iniqu-
itv of Sodom that he began to
doubt if it contained even 5o
righteous. Yet so intent was he
that Lot should be rescued that
his earnestness drove him to
second appeal. "Wilt thou destroy
all the city for lack Of five?' And
again his prayer was answered.; he
was given divine assurance that
IS good persons would save Sod
ON from destruction. And thus
plea after plea was made, twice
beseeching the Lord not to be
angry. until at last the Lord prom
iscd the patriarchal interccssor
that he would not destroy Sodom
if even 10 righteous persons could
be found among its citizens. Abra-
ham dared persist no longer; the
mercy of God had been suffi-
GENTLY taxed and it assured the
safety of the righteous. Besides,
if the city was so degraded and
so utterly void Of good, even hu-
man wisdom would welcome the
blade of heavenly Justice.
COD HEARS PERSEVERlNG
PRAYER FOR OTHERS
G Prayer Perceives the Pur,
pose of God. The prayertul