[Uucf-bible] Bible Discussion from Lectionary this week: God, Abraham, and Sodom

[RevRonRobinson at aol.com]

 Hi all. Hope you are enjoying the summer. I know it has been quiet on the 
list, and I haven't posted updates lately. We still have the readings of the 
Thomas parables that can be discussed. I will be posting another parable also 
soon. Here is a great one from this week's lectionary. A classic of Universalism, 
of God's desire for social justice. Enjoy.
blessings,
Ron Robinson


Genesis 18:20-33

20Then the LORD said, ‘How great is the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah and 
how very grave their sin! 21I must go down and see whether they have done 
altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.’ 
22So the men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, while Abraham remained 
standing before the LORD. 23 Then Abraham came near and said, ‘Will you 
indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? 24Suppose there are fifty 
righteous within the city; will you then sweep away the place and not forgive it for 
the fifty righteous who are in it? 25Far be it from you to do such a thing, to 
slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! 
Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?’ 
26And the LORD said, ‘If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will 
forgive the whole place for their sake.’ 27Abraham answered, ‘Let me take it 
upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. 28Suppose five of 
the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of 
five?’ And he said, ‘I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.’ 29
Again he spoke to him, ‘Suppose forty are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the 
sake of forty I will not do it.’ 30Then he said, ‘Oh do not let the Lord be 
angry if I speak. Suppose thirty are found there.’ He answered, ‘I will not do 
it, if I find thirty there.’ 31He said, ‘Let me take it upon myself to speak 
to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of 
twenty I will not destroy it.’ 32Then he said, ‘Oh do not let the Lord be angry 
if I speak just once more. Suppose ten are found there.’ He answered, ‘For 
the sake of ten I will not destroy it.’ 33And the LORD went his way, when he 
had finished speaking to Abraham; and Abraham returned to his place.