In my reading of the story, God wanted to destroy Sodom. Then Abraham asks God what if there were 50 righteous men. I think they discussed it and got the number down to 10.
Is it permissible for Abraham to discuss this with God and question God?
2006-07-14 05:22:05 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is expected of us. G-d wants partners not passengers.
2006-07-14 05:25:14 · answer #1 · answered by Quantrill 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am far from a Biblical Scholar, but I do know the story you cite, and I guess I'd say that while Abraham's "bargaining" with God is unusual, Abraham was held in high regard by God, and God bargained in order to teach Abraham about judgment and mercy.
The idea that the entire population of Sodom might pay a toll, even if there were some righteous men plays into the Old Testament view of retributive justice, and why bad things sometimes happen to good people. This theme is played out more in the book of Job.
If you view the Bible literally, you won't like my view, that the story of the destruction of Sodom was an illustrative story which may not be factually true. There are many such stories in the Bible, they serve to teach people morales or lessons.
2006-07-14 05:31:00 · answer #2 · answered by michael941260 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he wasn't questioning he was asking.
read the words that he used (with a good translation).
also the 50-10 thing has an interesting story.
you see Sodom and Gomorrah were actually a group of five cities. And 10 men is considered in the Bible like a small community unto its self. So what Abraham was asking is if for one community (per city) would he save it. Then it became 4 cities then 3 and so on.
2006-07-14 05:28:27 · answer #3 · answered by Gamla Joe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This account gives us a glimpse of God's quailties that we need to immitate, showing honor to others. Jehovah accorded his servant dignity as a friend and coworker by listening patiently and granting Abraham’s request. If we come to know God we will trust in him, we will be like Abraham, who, knowing God’s justice and mercy, used these as the basis for the plea in behalf of persons living in the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
God created humans with free will and does not treat them like mere robots. (1 Peter 2:16) When he told Abraham that Sodom was to be destroyed because of its gross wickedness, Abraham asked: “Will you really sweep away the righteous with the wicked? . Abraham then continued to plead humbly. What if there were only 45? 40? 30? 20? 10? God assured Abraham that he would not destroy Sodom if just ten righteous men were found. Remember, Abraham's nephew Lot was living there, Abraham was concerned for his safety—Genesis 18:20-33.
God knew that there were not ten righteous men in Sodom, yet he honored Abraham by listening to his view and dealing with him respectfully. Why? Because Abraham “put faith in Jehovah; and he proceeded to count it to him as righteousness.” Abraham was called “Jehovah’s friend.” (Genesis 15:6; James 2:23)
2006-07-14 05:53:00 · answer #4 · answered by izofblue37 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This was recored to show what a loving god he is and that if even 10 righteous people where in that city it would be saved
Point is there wasn't.
Abraham was probably inspired to ask the question.
2006-07-14 05:25:52 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it is. God gave us an intellect, didn't He? He wants us to dialogue with Him, because he created us with that ability. The rest of the story is that there was not one righteous man in Sodom, so the point wound up being moot.
2006-07-14 05:26:40 · answer #6 · answered by gg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It obviously was permitted and God was patient with him, but Abraham couldn't find the 10.Its OK to question, but but if the answer is not in the bible, you may not know the answer until we get to heaven. God doesn't have to tell us everything, but He sometimes reveals things to His prophets and people who love Him and spent lots of time in prayer.
2006-07-14 05:29:19 · answer #7 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure! there were actually 5 cities involved and Abraham was saying "what if I could find a quorum (Jewish communal prayer requires 10 men) in each city?" he haggled god down to "what if I could find this quarum from 2 men from each city" and god agreed! We have to fight for life not agree with death. One of the major failings of Noah was that he didn't argue with god's decision to flood the world.
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nb -- god told moses to stop praying for the jews' survival so god could destroy them. he was saying -- "if you don't stop praying, i won't destroy them" -- he was saying yes to moses as long as moses asked.
2006-07-14 05:26:28 · answer #8 · answered by rosends 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nicely, you've it 1/2 excellent- regrettably there are a decision of so observed as Christians available who should be attempting to make themselves God or a minimum of equivalent to God. convinced Abraham requested if there ought to nicely be got here across 10 righteous human beings? Did this propose homosexuals? became each and every man or woman residing in Sodom a gay? in all likelihood no longer- there have been in all likelihood many who felt this became an proper way of existence or were walking in another sexual perversion. He became asking if there became all people who respected and wanted ot obey the guidelines of God. Does God "hate " homosexuals? no more desirable than he ought to "hate adulterers , theives, liars, etc. Homosexuality is an abomination yet God does no longer HATE the gay- in the different case there should be no desire for them. in simple terms as with all different sin, God loves the sinner and needs to ascertain them turn remote from their sin, receive salvation, be redeemed to stay a righteous existence. If God hated us, we ought to all be doomed. i recognize there are those who call themselves christians that make it quite quite difficult for others yet I favor that non christians ought to offer up going round saying christians hate homosexuals or they believe that God hates them or inspite of. God hates the sin, and it wont be tolerated- God hates all sin, none human beings are any extra constructive than the different- yet He does love us and has made a fashion for us all to be released from the bondage of it and stroll in freedom and blessing!
2016-10-14 11:17:43 · answer #9 · answered by jackson 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes Abraham did. Isn't that amazing that he had the nerve. But the word does say come humbly but boldy
2006-07-14 05:25:26 · answer #10 · answered by Who me? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to Qur'anic version of the story this is not how it happened. Abraham (PHUH) did not question God.
2006-07-14 05:25:59 · answer #11 · answered by A K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋