Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis: Day Ten
Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis
Weird – “of strange or extraordinary character.”
Normal – “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern”
Have you ever tried to negotiate with God? Don’t be too quick to answer, “No.” I would guess that most of us have at one point or another. A man hugs the toilet, throwing up after a night of too much drinking. “God, if you just let me live through this, I promise I’ll never drink again.” Negotiating… Or a woman, taking a home pregnancy test, whispers a prayer before looking at the results. “God, if you will just let this test come out negative, I promise I’ll break it off with this guy!” Negotiating… The pilot announces from the loudspeaker: “Attention all passengers, we are having a mechanical malfunction, and we will be making an emergency landing. Everybody, please remain calm!” Everybody on the plane…negotiating with God…
Abraham takes negotiating with God to a whole new level, though. Remember yesterday we said that Abraham was God’s friend. God said to himself, “Shall I hide what I’m about to do from Abraham?” And God decided not to hide it from him. What God was going to do was judge the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah…and Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lived in Sodom along with his family. So…Abraham negotiates.
“What if there are 50 righteous people there? What about 45? 40? 30? Can I get a 20? God answered, “For the sake of 20, I will not destroy it.” (Gen. 18: 32) And then Abraham went one more level deeper. “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more… What if there are 10?”
Why did Abraham stop at 10? We don’t know for sure, but I have an idea of why he may have landed on ten. Think about Abraham’s nephew and his family. Count them up: (1) Lot, (2) Lot’s wife – prior to becoming salty, (3) Son #1, (4) Son #2, (5) Daughter #1, (6) #1’s husband, (7) Daughter #2, (8) #2’s husband, (9) Unmarried daughter #1, (10) Unmarried daughter #2. A total of ten of Abraham’s relatives were in Sodom.
I’ve often wondered what was up with Abraham negotiating with God. Abraham was not arrogant in his negotiations. He was very humble. He “asked,” rather than “demanded.” Abraham referred to God as “Lord,” and to himself as “dust and ashes.” (Gen. 18: 27) Why did Abraham go to such trouble for such a wicked place? I think it boils down to compassion for his family. He was interceding for his family, and God heard his prayer. While not sparing the cities, God did give Lot and his family every chance to escape. We sometimes call negotiating with God “intercessory prayer!” Never doubt the power of intercessory prayer.
Reflection: Have you ever negotiated with God for yourself? For others?
Action: Start a prayer list for people you know who are far from God. Be faithful to pray for them! When God opens a door, invite them to come to church with you.
Weird – “of strange or extraordinary character.”
Normal – “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern”
- Merriam Webster
Have you ever tried to negotiate with God? Don’t be too quick to answer, “No.” I would guess that most of us have at one point or another. A man hugs the toilet, throwing up after a night of too much drinking. “God, if you just let me live through this, I promise I’ll never drink again.” Negotiating… Or a woman, taking a home pregnancy test, whispers a prayer before looking at the results. “God, if you will just let this test come out negative, I promise I’ll break it off with this guy!” Negotiating… The pilot announces from the loudspeaker: “Attention all passengers, we are having a mechanical malfunction, and we will be making an emergency landing. Everybody, please remain calm!” Everybody on the plane…negotiating with God…
Abraham takes negotiating with God to a whole new level, though. Remember yesterday we said that Abraham was God’s friend. God said to himself, “Shall I hide what I’m about to do from Abraham?” And God decided not to hide it from him. What God was going to do was judge the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah…and Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lived in Sodom along with his family. So…Abraham negotiates.
“What if there are 50 righteous people there? What about 45? 40? 30? Can I get a 20? God answered, “For the sake of 20, I will not destroy it.” (Gen. 18: 32) And then Abraham went one more level deeper. “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more… What if there are 10?”
Why did Abraham stop at 10? We don’t know for sure, but I have an idea of why he may have landed on ten. Think about Abraham’s nephew and his family. Count them up: (1) Lot, (2) Lot’s wife – prior to becoming salty, (3) Son #1, (4) Son #2, (5) Daughter #1, (6) #1’s husband, (7) Daughter #2, (8) #2’s husband, (9) Unmarried daughter #1, (10) Unmarried daughter #2. A total of ten of Abraham’s relatives were in Sodom.
I’ve often wondered what was up with Abraham negotiating with God. Abraham was not arrogant in his negotiations. He was very humble. He “asked,” rather than “demanded.” Abraham referred to God as “Lord,” and to himself as “dust and ashes.” (Gen. 18: 27) Why did Abraham go to such trouble for such a wicked place? I think it boils down to compassion for his family. He was interceding for his family, and God heard his prayer. While not sparing the cities, God did give Lot and his family every chance to escape. We sometimes call negotiating with God “intercessory prayer!” Never doubt the power of intercessory prayer.
Reflection: Have you ever negotiated with God for yourself? For others?
Action: Start a prayer list for people you know who are far from God. Be faithful to pray for them! When God opens a door, invite them to come to church with you.
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Lenten DevotionalsWeird is the New Normal: Day OneWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisDay 5: Weird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in GenesisWeird is the New Normal: Day SixWeird is the New Normal: Day SevenWeird is the New Normal: Day EightWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis Day NineWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis: Day TenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis, Day ElevenWeird is the New Normal: A Lenten Walk Through 40 Questions in Genesis, Day Twelve
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