Wednesday: The Judge of All the Earth
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 4th of June 2025
Just prior to the destruction of Sodom, there is a curious story that takes place on the plains of Mamre. God, accompanied by two angels, appears to Abraham. When Abraham sees them, he invites the heavenly visitors to a meal, and it is at this point that God promises that Abraham and Sarah will have a son who would lead to the Messiah. Jesus, indeed, came from the line of Abraham (compare with Galatians 3:16). Then the story suddenly turns to the matter of the wicked cities of the plain.
Read Genesis 18:17-32. What do we learn from these verses about the character of God and the way He ultimately plans to deal with evil on our planet?
Image © Kim Justinen at Goodsalt.com
God does not owe us an explanation, but He chooses not to veil His motives and plans from the human race. “Surely the Lord God does nothing,” the prophet Amos tells us, “unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7, NKJV).
Before God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah, He declares that the only right thing to do is inform Abraham of what is about to happen, about what he can soon expect to be witnessing.
God lingers with Abraham while the two angels go to the wicked city to call out those who will heed their warning. One cannot help but think of the prophetic angels who perform the same task in the last days, calling those of God’s people who live in Babylon to come out of her (Revelation 14:6-12, Revelation 18:1-4). As the final warning is being issued, God discusses with Abraham what is about to happen, and He willingly subjects Himself to the patriarch’s questions.
“ ‘Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked,’ ” Abraham comments, and then asks, “ ‘Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ ” (Genesis 18:25, NKJV). Abraham is not only examining the case of Sodom, but he is also examining the character of God. Likewise, before the end comes, God opens the books of heaven (Revelation 20:4,11-15) and allows us to investigate the evidence before He finally brings fire down on the earth. That is, we will have a thousand years to get a lot of questions answered that, for now, remain unanswered.
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Before the Lord will bring down final judgment upon the lost, He gives us a thousand years to understand what will happen to whom and why. What does this tell us about His character and about how open He is to scrutiny by created beings—beings fully dependent upon Him for existence—and who have no inherent right to know these things? |
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The episode of Abraham interceding for the wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah for God’s mercy is an example to behold (Genesis 18:17-32). Abraham was very much aware of how morally corrupt the inhabitants of these cities were but did not wish them evil. This is a timeless example of what happens when the Spirit of God dwells in a human being. Our benevolence towards those whom we consider as the greatest sinners is our moral responsibility. Abraham profoundly knew the character of God. “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25). How often do we petition God’s mercies on behalf our spiritual enemies, those who are “living in Babylon”? Our moral integrity is charged on how we treat those who are morally bankrupt. How much hope and patience do we have for the “evildoers”? "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." the Bible says in Romans 12:21.
To desire good even for the “worst” sinners is not to excuse sin but to reflect the mind of Christ who desires mercy and forgiven to all mankind. In a world which is sinking with moral corruption, Abraham’s example is one which reminds us that we are expected to be the salt of the earth and light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16).
We live in a world filled with injustice and unrighteous judgment. Until that day, we are called to live not with despair, but with faithfulness and hope. Though the world’s scales are often tipped by power, pride, or prejudice, we trust that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. Even when justice seems delayed or denied, we are not forgotten. Christ sees, knows, and remembers every act of righteousness done in His name. Let us therefore persevere in doing good, speak truth with grace, and walk humbly before our God, knowing that His judgment will not be flawed by error or favoritism. The Righteous Judge is coming—and with Him, perfect justice and everlasting peace.
We have often observed mournfully, “Life is not fair.” For now, judges, referees, bosses, and courts will often judge wrongly. It is one of our highest comforts that, finally, all the accounts will be settled, all the balances trued, for Christ will judge rightly. “He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31). It will then be fair, more than fair! Let us live with the marvelous confidence that Christ is the Righteous Judge.
I find that one of the most remarkable statements in Genesis, if not the whole Bible is found in Genesis 18:25. It is breathtakingly remarkable that the Omnipotent (and all the other “Omni’s”) Creator God would allow a mere created being to question His character and judgement – to His face, so to speak! While this is remarkable, the very fact that Abraham felt comfortable enough to ask the question of that same Creator God leaves one speechless. What an incredible relationship of trust and intimacy!
This unique interaction reminds me of something profound: “Israel” means wrestle with God (a name given to Abraham’s grandson after literally wrestling with God (Genesis 32:22-32)). It is also interesting to note that “Islam” means submit to God.
I would posit that to genuinely and intellectually submit to God (“Islam”), one must be first willing to wrestle with Him (“Israel”). It may be that the process of wrestling with God itself is an important mechanism for true, heartfelt submission.
Indeed, not only are we invited to “Israel” with God, but I believe it is vitally important that we “Israel” with each other. Truth survives scrutiny, often the friendships of those holding nuanced positions of truth don’t – to the detriment of not only truth, but the demonstration of those holding the positions.
Perhaps we should take a leaf out of God’s book when our positions are challenged.
Abraham's relationship with God reminds me also of Moses' relationship with God. Close enough to question not God’s authority but his decision. Remember when God threatened to wipe out Israel and start over with Moses as the leader? (Exodus 32:10-14) They, Abraham and Moses, both had the same concern for God’s reputation.
That we would have the same heart for both God and our fellow erring humanity. It seems that we are eager to see them get "what they deserve." I sometimes get frustrated with the patience of God when I'm not the object of it. I have questioned God’s tolerance of sinners, and pleaded with him to do something to protect his name. I later realize that his name is protected by his character.
Remember when Moses wanted to see God's glory ? What did God proclaim to him? God proclaimed his character. (Exodus 34:5-7)
Lord, teach me to love the way that you do.
I am slowly learning by asking him to give me the heart of Jesus to love my enemies to the end that if I had to die for them like Jesus, I could. I could never die for them for their sins but have Jesus’s heart to love them like he does!
The concept of transparency during the thousand years closely parallels the Adventist doctrine of the Investigative Judgment, which began in 1844. In both cases, God invites scrutiny of His actions to demonstrate that His judgments are fair and just.
The Investigative Judgment is God's pre-Advent review of the lives of all who have professed faith in Christ (Daniel 7:9–10; Revelation 14:7), ensuring that those who are saved have truly accepted His grace. Similarly, during the millennium, the saved will review the cases of the lost (Revelation 20:4, 12), not to change God’s verdict, but to understand His justice more fully.
Both phases emphasize that God does not demand blind obedience but desires intelligent trust. He is not arbitrary; instead, He values reason, justice, and love. These teachings affirm the Adventist belief that God’s government is built on moral clarity, where even created beings are invited to see that His ways are just and true (Deuteronomy 32:4).
God has all the power to judge every one of His free will created beings, but He knows their limitations. Because He is a God of love, He will not hide anything from the ones who choose to love Him back. At the right time, God reveals His will to those who choose to be faithful to Him.