Daring Question

I’ve been struck by Genesis 18, where Abraham engages God (who stops by for a meal) on his plans to judge Sodom. Abraham is not exercised on his own behalf, but for all the innocent people who will suffer in Sodom’s downfall.

Most of us fret about justice for ourselves, not other people.

Abraham asks God perhaps the most impertinent question in the Bible. “Far be it from you to do such a thing–to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”  (18:25)

That’s quite a question to ask God.

And here’s a question I have to ask myself: When did I last complain to God about the suffering of innocent people?