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Day 21 – Gap Stander Genesis 18:16 Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. 17 The LORD (Jehovah) said, “Should I hide from Abraham what I am doing, 18 since Abraham will become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him? 19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD (Jehovah), to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD (Jehovah) may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.” 20 The LORD said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is grave, 21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.” 22 Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the LORD. 23 Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? 25 Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?” 26 So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the place for their sakes.” 27 Then Abraham answered and said, “Indeed now, I who am but dust and ashes have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord. 28 Suppose there were five less than the fifty righteous; would You destroy the city for lack of five?” So, He said, “If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it.” 29 He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose there should be forty found there?” So, He said, “I will not do it for the sake of forty.” 30 Then he said, “Let not the Lord (Adonay) be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty should be found there?” So, He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” 31 He said, “Indeed now, I have taken it upon myself to speak to the Lord: Suppose twenty should be found there?” So, He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty.” 32 Then he said, “Let not the Lord (Adonay) be angry, and I will speak but once more. Suppose ten should be found there?” He said, “I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.” 33 So the LORD (Jehovah) went His way as soon as He had finished speaking with Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place. God’s name: Jehovah – Self-existent, Eternal Adonay – Lord, God’s proper name God’s character: Judge Mercy When you know the punishment for the crime a loved one did, do you stand in the gap for them and plead for leniency? By the conversation between the three Visitors, Abraham knew Adonay intended to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and pleaded for the righteous people in the cities to stay Adonay’s hand. Adonay listened to Abraham and told him He would not destroy the cities if there were as many as ten righteous people found within. What do you know regarding the conversation between the Visitors? 1. You know God knew Abraham. He knew his character, He knew Abraham would become a great nation, and would command his children and household about Jehovah so they would follow Him. 2. You know Adonay is the Judge of the earth. As Judge He will weigh the evidence before passing final judgment. 3. You know you can plead with Adonay for mercy. Does this mean Adonay didn’t know everything about the sin in Sodom and Gomorrah? No. It’s a lesson to judges who would pass judgment on people before they hear all the evidence. It’s a lesson in mercy. It isn’t a sign of weakness for a judge to give a lesser sentence if the person before him shows an attitude of repentance for what he did. Adonay knew the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah and would judge them according to their sin. Two of the Visitors departed for Sodom and Gomorrah while Adonay listened to Abraham plead for the righteous within the cities. Adonay also knew how many righteous people lived in the cities. Adonay wants you to plead for your loved ones, to stand in the gap for them. He wants to show mercy and kindness. However, His hands are tied when you don’t pray for them. He will bring judgment on your loved ones when you don’t stand in the gap for them. Not only will He bring judgment on them, but He will also bring judgment on you for your lack of mercy toward those you claim to love. If you have not been a gap stander, consider what it means to the person you aren’t praying for, what it means to you for not praying. Throughout His ministry, Jesus showed His disciples the importance of prayer. He told Peter He stood in the gap for him when Satan wanted to have him. Luke 22:31 And the Lord (Kurios) said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (NKJV) Jesus (Yeshuwa) is your gap stander. He goes before the Father for you as your advocate, pleading with the Father for mercy because you belong to Him. How much will He fight for you when you don’t fight for others? Become a gap stander today. Pray for your loved ones. Let Adonay know you care about your family and friends and aren’t willing to see them perish. Yeshuwa stood in the gap for you when He hung on a cross for your sin. Shouldn’t you stand in the gap for those you love too? Let’s pray: Father, I haven’t stood in the gap for my loved ones as much as I should. Forgive me, as I become a gap stander, pleading for my loved ones so they will know You and Your mercy and love for them. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 8 February 2024 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.