What is the meaning of Genesis 18:21? I will go down to see • The phrase pictures God drawing near in a personal, deliberate way. Though He is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7-8), He chooses to “go down,” echoing Genesis 11:5 where “the LORD came down to see the city and the tower.” • This is not a concession of ignorance but a demonstration of intimate involvement. Exodus 3:8 shows the same heart: “I have come down to rescue them.” • By portraying God as stepping into the scene, the text reassures believers that the Lord does not remain distant from human sin or suffering; He engages, investigates, and acts (John 1:14). to see if their actions fully justify the outcry that has reached Me • “Outcry” points to grievous injustice. Genesis 4:10 uses similar language: “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” • Sodom’s sin produced a collective cry, likely from victims of violence and oppression. Exodus 2:23-25 records how Israel’s groaning rose to God, and He responded. • God tests the report against reality, ensuring His judgment is perfectly fair (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:3). If not, I will find out • Divine investigation underscores God’s righteous standard. Deuteronomy 32:4 declares, “All His ways are justice.” • Jeremiah 17:10 affirms, “I, the LORD, search the heart…to give to each according to his ways.” God’s verdict on Sodom will be based on full knowledge, silencing any charge of partiality (Romans 2:2). • Revelation 2:23 echoes the same principle: “All the churches will know that I am He who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.” summary Genesis 18:21 reveals a God who personally investigates human wickedness, responds to the cries of the oppressed, and renders judgment grounded in firsthand knowledge. He is neither indifferent nor hasty; He is near, just, and perfectly informed, ensuring that His eventual judgment on Sodom—and on all people—is beyond dispute. |
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