Rescued out of wrath

Rescued out of wrath

Bible:Genesis 18:16-33

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[God] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 PETER 3:9).

Fire rained down and destroyed the grim, godless cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which had rejected God and were full of selfishness, violence and all kinds of wickedness (SEE GENESIS 18:20-21; 19:3-5). But before judgement came, God told Abraham that He was about to destroy the cities, “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just” (18:19). God wanted Abraham to see where sin ends up, so that he would always stick close to Him. Abraham then asked God to save Sodom if just ten God-centred people could be found (V.32). God answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.” Could ten people be found? Nope. Yet God is “slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (PSALM 86:15). His wrath is never without the offer of rescue. Abraham’s nephew, Lot (who still trusted God), and his family lived in Sodom. But when two angels came to rescue Lot’s family (GENESIS 19:12-13), his sons-in-law thought the warning was a joke (V.14) and even Lot hesitated (V.15). At that point, the angels “grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them” (V.16). What is it God wanted Abraham to see? Both His judgement of those who refuse Him and His incredible commitment to save those who trust Him.

GOD’S WRATH IS NEVER WITHOUT THE OFFER OF RESCUE.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries