Secret Partners

Parashat VaYeira (And he appeared)
Beresheet (Genesis) 18:1–22:24

Just like last week’s blog, as I was re-reading our weekly portion, the Lord gave me some insights that shed new light on a well-known story. This week, we read the account of Sodom and Gomorrah and God’s judgment that came upon those cities. In it, we also see that Abraham pleaded for the Lord’s mercy on Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet, before Abraham even knows about the impending judgment, we read something very interesting:

Then the men rose up from there and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off. And the LORD said, “Shall I hide (cover) from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice; in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. I will go down now and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”

Genesis 18:16–21

I must say that I find verse 17 to be incredibly fascinating: “And the LORD said, “Shall I hide (cover) from Abraham what I am about to do…”. Isn’t it an amazing privilege that Abraham had to be part of the Lord’s “close circle”, the ones to whom He told what He was about to do? God told Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and Abraham pleaded before the Lord to have mercy and grace over the city.

Remember, Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was living in this area. I personally believe that God’s grace towards Lot was only because of His relationship with Abraham, as Lot was not walking with the Lord. Not only did he offer his daughter to the people of the city when they demanded he hand over the Lord’s messengers, but he also got very drunk and had sexual relations with his daughters, which reveals his deep state of depravity. Yet, when Abraham learned of the impending doom, he did not rejoice over God’s judgment, but instead pleaded for mercy and grace. And God listened to Abraham, offering to spare Lot and his family.

My dear brothers and sisters, there is so much that we can learn from this account! As Abraham was, so are we “secret partners” with the Lord. I find this in in two places in the Scriptures:

The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant.

Psalm 25:14

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets.”

Amos 3:7

God has opened our eyes to the way by which men can be reconciled to Him, as well as to His judgment that is coming to every person on this earth. What are we doing with it? Do we rejoice over His judgment, or like Abraham, do we have a heart for the lost? Do we pray for and try to reach the lost?

We have an amazing privilege to partake in the Lord’s secrets, but also a great responsibility!

What are you doing with this responsibility?

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran

Parashat VaYeira (And he appeared)
Beresheet (Genesis) 18:1–22:24

Just like last week’s blog, as I was re-reading our weekly portion, the Lord gave me some insights that shed new light on a well-known story. This week, we read the account of Sodom and Gomorrah and God’s judgment that came upon those cities. In it, we also see that Abraham pleaded for the Lord’s mercy on Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet, before Abraham even knows about the impending judgment, we read something very interesting:

Then the men rose up from there and looked down toward Sodom; and Abraham was walking with them to send them off. And the LORD said, “Shall I hide (cover) from Abraham what I am about to do, since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed? For I have chosen him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice; in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has spoken about him.” And the LORD said, “The outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is indeed great, and their sin is exceedingly grave. I will go down now and see if they have done entirely according to its outcry, which has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”

Genesis 18:16–21

I must say that I find verse 17 to be incredibly fascinating: “And the LORD said, “Shall I hide (cover) from Abraham what I am about to do…”. Isn’t it an amazing privilege that Abraham had to be part of the Lord’s “close circle”, the ones to whom He told what He was about to do? God told Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, and Abraham pleaded before the Lord to have mercy and grace over the city.

Remember, Abraham’s nephew, Lot, was living in this area. I personally believe that God’s grace towards Lot was only because of His relationship with Abraham, as Lot was not walking with the Lord. Not only did he offer his daughter to the people of the city when they demanded he hand over the Lord’s messengers, but he also got very drunk and had sexual relations with his daughters, which reveals his deep state of depravity. Yet, when Abraham learned of the impending doom, he did not rejoice over God’s judgment, but instead pleaded for mercy and grace. And God listened to Abraham, offering to spare Lot and his family.

My dear brothers and sisters, there is so much that we can learn from this account! As Abraham was, so are we “secret partners” with the Lord. I find this in in two places in the Scriptures:

The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant.

Psalm 25:14

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets.”

Amos 3:7

God has opened our eyes to the way by which men can be reconciled to Him, as well as to His judgment that is coming to every person on this earth. What are we doing with it? Do we rejoice over His judgment, or like Abraham, do we have a heart for the lost? Do we pray for and try to reach the lost?

We have an amazing privilege to partake in the Lord’s secrets, but also a great responsibility!

What are you doing with this responsibility?

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran

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One Comment on “Secret Partners”

  1. Astounding challenge, awesome Truth of G-D’s character, inspiring devotional of G-D’s Word. Thank YOU, HaSHEM, YOUR greatness is far-reaching from our mundane nature. Bless YOUR NAME, forever !!!

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