Genesis 18-21: A Way of Escape

Abraham was privy to all God was going to do, the good and the bad.  He was told in advance, even if Sarah laughed at it, that he was going to be the father of a great nation, a nation that would be birthed by his wife, not her maidservant.  He was also told in advance of the destruction that would come to Sodom and Gomorrah.  God did not hide what was going to take place from Abraham.  Because Abraham knew the source of his blessing and trusted God, God trusted Abraham with the foreknowledge of what was going to take place.

Then the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?  Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”
Then the LORD said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.”  - Gen. 18:17-21 NIV

Abraham could not stay God's hand from judging the grievous sins of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Abraham could not protect any of those, who didn't believe God, from their ultimate destruction.  That included Lot's wife and Lot's future son-in-laws.   Each of them heard of the warning of coming destruction from the angels that appeared to Abraham and Lot and each of them made the choice to ignore that warning.  They all received the same warning and the same promise of escape.

Salvation was offered to them, but they ignored it.  That same salvation has been offered to mankind down through the ages and as always, we have the option to accept it or suffer the consequences.  As the writer of Hebrews said:

How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. - Heb. 2:3 NIV

Throughout history, God sent messengers to earth to warn of impending disaster for those who sin, and ultimately, after they refused to listen to any of his messengers, he sent his own Son.  There is no escape if we ignore God's warning and the promised salvation.

2010 Post - Genesis 18-21:  The Right Choice