“That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
My Notes
What Does Genesis 18:25 Mean?
Abraham challenges God with a bold question during the negotiation over Sodom: shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? The question assumes and affirms God's justice while pressing for clarity about its application.
"That be far from thee" — Abraham considers it unthinkable that God would destroy the righteous with the wicked. The destruction of the innocent alongside the guilty would contradict everything Abraham knows about God.
"To slay the righteous with the wicked" — the concern is not about God's right to judge. It is about whether the judgment will be indiscriminate. Abraham trusts God's justice but wants assurance that it will be applied with precision.
"Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" — the question is both bold and reverent. It appeals to God's own character as the basis for the argument. Abraham does not question whether God is the judge. He appeals to the fact that he is — and that judges must do right.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does Abraham's boldness in questioning God model honest prayer?
- 2.What does 'shall not the Judge of all the earth do right' mean for your trust in divine justice?
- 3.How does God responding to Abraham's negotiation reveal his patience with human questions?
- 4.Where do you need to trust that the Judge of all the earth will do right — even when you cannot see it?
Devotional
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Abraham asks the question that every suffering person eventually asks: will God be fair? Will justice actually be just?
That be far from thee to slay the righteous with the wicked. Abraham knows God well enough to say: that is not you. Indiscriminate destruction contradicts your character. You cannot be the Judge of all the earth and act unjustly.
The boldness is stunning. Abraham is negotiating with the Almighty — pushing back, asking hard questions, pressing for assurance that the innocent will not be swept up with the guilty.
And God does not rebuke him. He engages. He agrees to spare Sodom for fifty righteous. Then forty-five. Then forty. Then thirty. Then twenty. Then ten. The negotiation reveals a God who is patient with human questions and responsive to human concern for justice.
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? The answer is yes. Always yes. The Judge of all the earth will do right — even when it does not look like it from where you stand. Even when the questions are hard and the answers are delayed.
The Judge of all the earth does right. That is the foundation beneath every hard question. You can ask boldly — as Abraham did — knowing that the answer, when it fully arrives, will be just.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
That be far from thee to do after this manner,.... He represents it as a thing unbecoming the divine Majesty, and…
- The Visit of the Lord to Abraham 2. השׂתחיה vayı̂śtachû “bow,” or bend the body in token of respect to God or man.…
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? - God alone is the Judge of all men. Abraham, in thus addressing himself…
Communion with God is kept up by the word and by prayer. In the word God speaks to us; in prayer we speak to him. God…
That be far from thee An exclamation of deprecation, like "God forbid," or the Lat. nefas tibi sit. LXX μηδαμῶς, Lat.…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture