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I. THE SUPERINDUCING CIRCUMSTANCES OF ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION.

1. Abraham's characteristic courtesy.

2. The revelation of Divine purposes.

II. THE ARGUMENT OF ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION.

1. An appeal to Divine justice.

2. An appeal to Divine compassion.

III. THE REASON OF THE FAILURE OF ABRAHAM'S INTERCESSION.

1. His intense humility, which would not allow him to go beyond a certain limit.

2. His inadequate conception of Divine mercy.

3. His knowledge of the unworthiness of the Sodomites, for whom he pleaded.

4. His spiritual conception of the demerit of sin, and of the perfection of the Divine attribute of justice.Lessons:

1. The possible important consequences of things trifling in themselves: Abraham's courtesy led to the most sublime scene of human intercession on record.

2. The high estimate that God places upon family instruction.

3. God's readiness to answer prayer is greater than the faith of the greatest believer.

4. So long as Abraham interceded, so long Jehovah tarried to listen.

5. There is nothing more acceptable to God than the intercession of His saints.

(D. C. Hughes, M. A.)

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KJV: And the men turned their faces from thence, and went toward Sodom: but Abraham stood yet before the LORD.

WEB: The men turned from there, and went toward Sodom, but Abraham stood yet before Yahweh.