Knowing The Word in Genesis 18:22-33, Abraham Intercedes for Sodom

22 So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom [now we understand these two to be angelic companions of the Lord (see 19:1)], but Abraham still stood before the Lord. 23 Then Abraham drew near and said [this is the first time in Scripture that a man initiates a conversation with God], “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? [This is one of the most important and consistent questions humanity asks God?] 24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? 25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death 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?” 26 And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”

27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes [showing humility and acknowledgement of place]. 28 Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy [recalling the flood] 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 and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” 30 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” 31 He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy [now God is using this word] it.” 32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” [Abraham makes a six-fold plea to God, which doubles the usual three-fold plea, giving his plea significance and weight.] 33 And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. [Why did God go his way and not let Abraham get down to one righteous person? Christ remains obscured until the proper time.]