Context No. 4083 of 4322 · Genesis

Genesis 18:16-21: in context

16The men rose up from there, and looked toward Sodom. Abraham went with them to see them on their way. 17The LORD said, “Will I hide from Abraham what I do, 18since Abraham will surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed in him? 19For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice; to the end that the LORD may bring on Abraham that which he has spoken of him.” 20The LORD said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, 21I will go down now, and see whether their deeds are as bad as the reports which have come to me. If not, I will know.”

As the LORD prepares to judge Sodom, he pauses and asks himself a question: shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? And he decides to tell his friend, giving the reason: I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing righteousness and justice.

There is something moving in this. God treats Abraham as a friend, confiding in him his plans rather than acting without him. And notice the reason God gives for choosing and confiding in Abraham: that he would pass on the way of the LORD to his children and household. Two truths stand out. God draws near, as a friend, to those he has chosen. And part of what God looks for in his people is that they will hand on his ways to those who come after them, teaching their children and households to keep the way of the LORD. There is a calling here that many of us carry: to lead those in our care, our children, our households, in the way of the LORD, in righteousness and justice.

Am I taking up the calling God valued in Abraham, to teach those in my care, my children and household, to keep the way of the LORD in righteousness and justice, handing on the knowledge of God to those who come after me?

Sources

Genesis 18:17: "The LORD said, Will I hide from Abraham what I do?"
Genesis 18:19: "For I have known him, to the end that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice."
Deuteronomy 6:7: "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house."