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Abraham rose quickly； and as they were apparently turning in another
direction； he hastened after them； and with the utmost courtesy urged them
to honor him by tarrying for refreshment。 With his own hands he brought
water that they might wash the dust of travel from their feet。 He himself
selected their food； and while they were at rest under the cooling shade； an
entertainment was made ready； and he stood respectfully beside them while
they partook of his hospitality。 This act of courtesy God regarded of
sufficient importance to record in His word； and a thousand years later it
was referred to by an inspired apostle： 〃Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers： for thereby some have entertained angels unawares。〃 Hebrews 13：2。
Abraham had seen in his guests only three tired wayfarers；
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little thinking that among them was One whom he might worship without sin。
But the true character of the heavenly messengers was now revealed。 Though
they were on their way as ministers of wrath； yet to Abraham； the man of
faith； they spoke first of blessings。 Though God is strict to mark iniquity
and to punish transgression； He takes no delight in vengeance。 The work of
destruction is a 〃strange work〃 to Him who is infinite in love。
〃The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him。〃 Psalm 25：14。 Abraham
had honored God； and the Lord honored him； taking him into His counsels； and
revealing to him His purposes。 〃Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I
do？〃 said the Lord。 〃The cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great； and because
their sin is very grievous； I will go down now； and see whether they have
done altogether according to the cry of it； which is come unto me； and if
not； I will know。〃 God knew well the measure of Sodom's guilt； but He
expressed Himself after the manner of men； that the justice of His dealings
might be understood。 Before bringing judgment upon the transgressors He
would go Himself； to institute an examination of their course； if they had
not passed the limits of divine mercy； He would still grant them space for
repentance。
Two of the heavenly messengers departed； leaving Abraham alone with Him whom
he now knew to be the Son of God。 And the man of faith pleaded for the
inhabitants of Sodom。 Once he had saved them by his sword； now he endeavored
to save them by prayer。 Lot and his household were still dwellers there； and
the unselfish love that prompted Abraham to their rescue from the Elamites；
now sought to save them； if it were God's will； from the storm of divine
judgment。
With deep reverence and humility he urged his plea： 〃I have taken upon me to
speak unto the Lord； which am but dust and ashes。〃 There was no
self…confidence； no boasting of his own righteousness。 He did not claim
favor on the ground of his obedience； or of the sacrifices he had made in
doing God's will。 Himself a sinner； he pleaded in the sinner's behalf。 Such
a spirit all who approach God should possess。 Yet Abraham manifested the
confidence of a child pleading with a loved father。 He came close to the
heavenly Messenger； and fervently urged his petition。 Though Lot had become
a dweller in Sodom； he did not partake in the iniquity of its inhabitants。
Abraham thought that in that populous city there must be other worshipers of
the true God。
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And in view of this he pleaded； 〃That be far from Thee； to do after this
manner； to slay the righteous with the wicked： 。 。 。 that be far from Thee：
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right？〃 Abraham asked not once
merely； but many times。 Waxing bolder as his requests were granted； he
continued until he gained the assurance that if even ten righteous persons
could be found in it； the city would be spared。
Love for perishing souls inspired Abraham's prayer。 While he loathed the
sins of that corrupt city； he desired that the sinners might be saved。 His
deep interest for Sodom shows the anxiety that we should feel for the
impenitent。 We should cherish hatred of sin； but pity and love for the
sinner。 All around us are souls going down to ruin as hopeless； as terrible；
as that which befell Sodom。 Every day the probation of some is closing。
Every hour some are passing beyond the reach of mercy。 And where are the
voices of warning and entreaty to bid the sinner flee from this fearful
doom？ Where are the hands stretched out to draw him back from death？ Where
are those who with humility and persevering faith are pleading with God for
him？
The spirit of Abraham was the spirit of Christ。 The Son of God is Himself
the great Intercessor in the sinner's behalf。 He who has paid the price for
its redemption knows the worth of the human soul。 With an antagonism to evil
such as can exist only in a nature spotlessly pure； Christ manifested toward
the sinner a love which infinite goodness alone could conceive。 In the
agonies of the crucifixion； Himself burdened with the awful weight of the
sins of the whole world； He prayed for His revilers and murderers； 〃Father；
forgive them； for they know not what they do。〃 Luke 23：34。
Of Abraham it is written that 〃he was called the friend of God；〃 〃the father
of all them that believe。〃 James 2：23； Romans 4：11。 The testimony of God
concerning this faithful patriarch is； 〃Abraham obeyed My voice； and kept My
charge； My commandments； My statutes； and My laws。〃 And again； 〃I know him；
that he will command his children and his household after him； and they
shall keep the way of the Lord； to do justice and judgment； that the Lord
may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him。〃 It was a high
honor to which Abraham was called； that of being the father of the people
who for centuries were the guardians and preservers of the truth of God for
the
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worldof that people through whom all the nations of the earth should be
blessed in the advent of the promised Messiah。 But He who called the
patriarch judged him worthy。 It is God that speaks。 He who understands the
thoughts afar off； and places the right estimate upon men； says； 〃I know
him。〃 There would be on the part of Abraham no betraying of the truth for
selfish purposes。 He would keep the law and deal justly and righteously。 And
he would not only fear the Lord himself； but would cultivate religion in his
home。 He would instruct his family in righteousness。 The law of God would be
the rule in his household。
Abraham's household comprised more than a thousand souls。 Those who were led
by his teachings to worship the one God； found a home in his encampment； and
here； as in a school； they received such instruction as would prepare them
to be representatives of the true faith。 Thus a great responsibility rested
upon him。 He was training heads of families； and his methods of government
would be carried out in the households over which they should preside。
In early times the father was the ruler and priest of his own family； and he
exercised authority over his children； even after they had families of their
own。 His descendants were taught to look up to him as their head； in both