Verses 9–15
Where is Sarah thy wife? was asked. Note the answer, In the tent. Just at hand, in her proper
place, occupied in her household concerns. There is nothing got by gadding. Those are most likely
to receive comfort from God and his promises, who are in their proper place, and in the way of
their duty, Lu 2:8. We are slow of heart to believe, and need line upon line to the same purport.
The blessings others have from common providence, believers have from the Divine promise,
which makes them very sweet, and very sure. The spiritual seed of Abraham owe their life, and
joy, and hope, and all, to the promise. Sarah thinks this too good news to be true; she laughed, and
therefore cannot as yet find in her heart to believe it. Sarah laughed. We might not have thought
there was a difference between Sarah's laughter and Abraham's, ch. 17:17; but He who searches
the heart, saw that the one sprung from unbelief, and the other from faith. She denied that she had
laughed. One sin commonly brings in another, and it is not likely we shall strictly keep to truth,
when we question the Divine truth. But whom the Lord loves he will rebuke, convict, silence, and
bring to repentance, and if they sin before him.
Verses 16–22
The two who are supposed to have been created angels went toward Sodom. The one who is
called Jehovah throughout the chapter, continued with Abraham, and would not hide from him the
thing he intended to do. Though God long forbears with sinners, from which they fancy that the
Lord does not see, and does not regard; yet when the day of his wrath comes, he will look toward
them. The Lord will give Abraham an opportunity to intercede with him, and shows him the reason
of his conduct. Consider, as a very bright part of Abraham's character and example, that he not
only prayed with his family, but he was very careful to teach and rule them well. Those who expect
family blessings must make conscience of family duty. Abraham did not fill their heads with matters
of doubtful dispute; but he taught them to be serious and devout in the worship of God, and to be
honest in their dealings with all men. Of how few may such a character be given in our days! How
little care is taken by masters of families to ground those under them in the principles of religion!
Do we watch from sabbath to sabbath whether they go forward or backward?
Verses 23–33
Here is the first solemn prayer upon record in the Bible; and it is a prayer for the sparing of
Sodom. Abraham prayed earnestly that Sodom might be spared, if but a few righteous persons
should be found in it. Come and learn from Abraham what compassion we should feel for sinners,
and how earnestly we should pray for them. We see here that the effectual, fervent prayer of a
righteous man avails much. Abraham, indeed, failed in his request for the whole place, but Lot was
miraculously delivered. Be encouraged then to expect, by earnest prayer, the blessing of God upon
your families, your friends, your neighbourhood. To this end you must not only pray, but you must
live like Abraham. He knew the Judge of all the earth would do right. He does not plead that the
wicked may be spared for their own sake, or because it would be severe to destroy them, but for
the sake of the righteous who might be found among them. And righteousness only can be made a