The reading for Friday, January 6, 2023 , is Genesis 18 - 20

 Today's reading: Genesis 18-20

The Lord and 2 men visit Abraham, Sodom & Gomorrah, Lot & his daughters, Abraham & Abimelech

When these visitors come to Abraham, I am struck by how long the meal would take. 36 pounds of flour is a lot of bread to make. The calf still needs to be butchered and then cooked. Sounds like an all day thing to me. 

I have often been struck by Abraham's boldness in asking the Lord to save Sodom & Gomorrah, starting at 50 and then making the way down to 10. Today, I think of Abraham's persistence when speaking to the Lord. I also find myself wondering if Abraham was thinking to himself, with each increment, that place is pretty wicked this might be a losing battle. 

What was the sin of Sodom? 

Ezekiel 16:49 & 50  “‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen. 

Today, I am struck by Abraham's gracious hospitality contrasted with the attempted gang rape in the city of Sodom. Lot is doing his best to be hospitable and provide shelter to the visitors. However, trying trying to send his daughters out to be gang raped is despicable to my eyes, but then his daughters sleep with him to get pregnant. 

Then we learn that Abraham has married his half-sister in marrying Sarah! Yuck!

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