The LORD reflected: "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, now that he is to become a great and populous nation....
The wise man Qoheleth, writing the Book of Ecclesiastes, said:
Just as you do not know how the life breath
enters the human frame in the mother’s womb,
So you do not know the work of God,
who is working in everything.
That verse has come down to us as, "Mysterious are the works of God."
But in today's first reading from Genesis, we are allowed to hear an inner conversation of God with himself as he and Abraham gaze over the cities of the plain, Sodom and Gomorrah. "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?" Christian readers can suppose the speakers are the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In any case, it's an astonishing thought; God will discuss his plan with Abraham and consider Abraham's advice. The dialogue between them takes the form of marketplace dickering, a friendly, familiar type of conversation.
Abraham speaks compassionately for the wretched souls in these evil societies. (Is he telling the Lord there are other points of view than God's?) Very shortly, as the story unfolds, we will hear just how vicious and barbaric they are. But Abraham knows that. He is probably more concerned about his troublesome nephew Lot, who has a way of getting into scrapes.
How can Abraham save the fool and his family? His dickering will fail as he argues that the cities should not be destroyed for the sake of the few good men who live there. Unfortunately, there is only one.
But his arguments also succeed for the Lord withheld his punishing hand until Lot, his wife and two daughters could escape. (Lot's sons-in-law opted to remain and his wife turned back.)
This incident is key to our understanding of our place in God's presence. We have standing! Creatures of flesh and blood, of inspired mud, may speak to God of our concerns.
This conversation will develop far beyond anything Abraham can imagine, for a descendant of Abraham will be the Son of God. The Lord will not only listen to our concerns, he will feel them in his own flesh. He will know them as parents care for their children and sisters for their brothers. He will carry the cross we lay on his shoulders and teach us to carry our own crosses. And even to find blessings in those unbearable burdens.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.