9/1/18 Genesis 19, Genesis 20:1-18 – Matthew 7:24-29, Matthew 8:1-22 – Psalm 7:1-9

Gen 19: The two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth 

1 chapter ago, Abraham intercedes for Sodom. God says he will spare them for the sake of 10 good men. Then the angels – or the messengers – go to Sodom. These are the same ones that gave Abraham and Sarah the message about having a child. The same ones Abraham welcomed. Lot then invites them in. Then it all goes very wrong.

But here’s an interesting phrase in verse 13.

For we are about to destroy this place, because the outcry against its people has become great before the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.

These angels came here to destroy the place. They weren’t just passing through – the destruction is why they were there. Sometimes we use this example of Abraham interceding as him changing Gods mind. I’ve even heard that preached. But Abraham doesn’t change Gods mind or God’s plan.

God sends his angels to destroy the place.

So Abraham’s intercession fails. But that doesn’t mean it was a waste of time. It shows that Abraham had real compassion for people.  It’s interesting that Abraham stops at 10 men. That’s what some Jewish scholars say was the number of Lots family. And in this chapter we see they are spared.  But even without the intercession, I suspect that would have been the case. Lot does all he can to protect the Angels from abuse. They were the only good people in there.

There are times that we think that Sodom was destroyed because of the people who wanted to “know” the angels. But not so, they were only there because the place had been judged already.

God responds to our compassion for others. But He has a bigger picture than ours. And He is the one whose judgement is better than ours. Also, like Abraham – compassion for others should be our default.  Abraham knew what these people were like, but he did not relish the idea of the judgement coming upon them. Too many Christians have exactly the opposite reaction, but we cannot be glad when the unrighteousness suffer because of their sin. We cannot seek to get even with people or wish them ill.

Judgement belongs to God. Not you.

Matt7.24: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

What is the rock we build upon? Some will say it’s Jesus. Or it’s the words of Jesus. But no… that’s not what Jesus said. It’s not just hearing his words. It’s hearing then and doing them. That’s the only solid foundation.

What good is studying the word and not doing it? What good is studying it and not believing it? Both of those are a waste of time. They are building on sand. There are many theologians, church leaders and very clever people who know the words of Jesus well. But they neither believe them or follow them. They are foolish and without foundation.

Don’t be like that. Listen and do. For faith without works is dead indeed.

Matt8.17: This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” 

There are some who take the words of Isaiah, “by His stripes we are healed” not to mean physical healing at all but rather spiritual. And the spiritual healing certainly is the case – but according to Matthew here, so is the physical healing.

The spiritual healing is the most important. But the physical is also a part of the promise.