Angels Leaving Sodom — Genesis 18 Daily Word

Discover why God revealed His judgment plan to Abraham before destroying Sodom. Learn how God protects His chosen people through divine communication and the importance of righteousness.

A Daily Word from Genesis 18:16-19. The angels who visited Abraham are about to leave for Sodom. At this moment, God reveals His plan to Abraham and explains why He chose him. We come to understand that Abraham’s calling is to instruct his children and household in righteousness and justice.

The Angels Depart for Sodom

1. [Scripture]

[16] Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. [17] The LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, [18] seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? [19] For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice, so that the LORD may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” (Gen 18:16-19, ESV)

2. [Daily Word]

# The men who had been with God are about to depart.

The reason is that the angels sent by God must enter the city of Sodom. The angels who had met with Abraham in the afternoon arrived in Sodom in the evening, as we can see in Genesis 19:1. And what happened the next day? (v. 23) At the break of dawn, Sodom was judged and destroyed. In this sense, the events unfolding after their midday meal move with great urgency.

Yet in verse 17, God says to Abraham: “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” Just before bringing destruction upon Sodom, God came to Abraham. The reason is that God reveals His plans to His chosen people in order to protect them and keep them close to Him.

Throughout all of Old Testament history, God continues to execute judgment. Each time, He proclaims His heart through prophets and seers. The reason is that God loves His people. In that sense, even in these last days, God will make His plans known to watchful pastors and believers.

This is because God desires that those who live in unbelief and in the flesh would become His spiritually reborn people. In particular, God makes a distinction between the righteous and the wicked.

[14] The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. (Ps 25:14, ESV)

In verse 18, God once again declares His covenant to Abraham. He reaffirms that Abraham will become a great nation and that all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. This word, taken at face value, declares that the blessing through Abraham will be passed down to his descendants.

Yet there is an even deeper meaning in this passage: God is reaffirming the blessing of salvation that would come to all peoples through the Messiah, who would be born from Abraham’s lineage.

[14] For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. (Hab 2:14, ESV) God declares that, beginning with Abraham’s faith, the glory of the Lord will fill the entire earth.

# The reason God chose Abraham is recorded in verse 19.

God chose Abraham so that he would keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice. In particular, “righteousness and justice” as spoken of here refers to faithfully obeying and keeping God’s commands.

[8] He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Mic 6:8, ESV) Therefore, doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God within the life of faith — this is what we are called to do before God.

God desired that Abraham, his children, and his household would keep this forever.

This is summarized in [18] For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Cor 1:18, ESV) as follows: For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

# God is working today through Abraham, who is spiritually awake.

In particular, God reveals two plans to Abraham. The first is the plan He will carry out concerning Sodom, and the second is the plan He will carry out through Abraham. What we discover here is that God uses those who are spiritually awake and prepared, along with their families, households, and lineages.

As you hold this word in your heart today, may you believe that when we are within God’s will — when we live inside His holy plan — we are fully used for His purposes. Let us pray together that we would live in the good and perfect will of God.

Abraham’s calling, God’s election, the transmission of faith, righteousness and justice, the judgment of Sodom

Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com