315. GEN 18:27. ABRAHAM’S ADDRESS TO GOD

Gen_18:27. Abraham’s Address to God

"And Abraham answered and said, Behold now I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes."’97Gen_18:27.

Abraham is styled the Friend of God. Friendship includes confidence, esteem, and fellowship. There obviously existed all this between God and Abraham. Abraham relied his all upon God. He esteemed him with his whole soul. And he had close fellowship with him. In like manner, God highly esteemed Abraham, and communicated his mind to him, as a man doth to his friend. The cup of the iniquity of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah was now full. The reign of forbearance was ended. Vengeance was about to be executed; but God would not withhold it from Abraham. Abraham interceded on their behalf; and having presented one plea, he introduces the second with the language of the text. Observe three things,

I. The Being we worship.

"The Lord." Jehovah is a Being infinitely beyond all description, or conception. None can know him fully, or find him out to perfection. When we draw near to him, we should remember that the Lord,

1. Is infinitely great.

There have been great human intellects. Angels are great and illustrious beings: but they are as drops to the ocean, when compared to God, or as rays of light contrasted with the overwhelming effulgence of the solar system. The works of the Lord are great’97the Author must be infinitely greater. "Do not I fill heaven and earth, saith the Lord."

2. Incomprehensibly glorious.

The Psa. ist says, "His glory is above the heavens." So glorious, that the sun shining at noonday is but a very faint emblem of him So glorious, that no man could look upon his face and live. So glorious, that cherubim, and seraphim, the highest orders of the intelligences of heaven, bow at his feet, and, veiling their faces, worship before him.

3. Transcendently holy.

Every thing connected with Deity is holy. Dwelling, is the habitation of holiness. Name is holy. Attendants, holy. His essence is holy’97so holy, that the very heavens are unclean, &c. This is the burden of heavenly worship. See Isa_6:3; Rev_4:8.

4. Unboundedly benevolent.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. "The whole earth is full of the goodness of the Lord." Good to all. The great universal Parent of the universe. The benignant Father of all mankind. This, then, is the great object of religious worship. Contrast with this view,

II. The true Character of the best Worshippers.

"Dust and ashes." The term seems to indicate,

1. Our origin and mortality.

Formed of the dust; residents of the dust; travellers to the dust.

2. Our depravity.

Dust and ashes. Ashes are only the refuse of what was once more valuable. Man originally was great, dignified, and good Now, he is fallen, debased, and worthless, &c. Notwithstanding,

III. In Worship God allows us to speak unto Him.

Now, we do this,

1. In adoration and praise.

We celebrate his glory; extol him bless his holy name, &c.

2. In confession of sin.

If we say that we have no sin, &c. David says, "I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord." See this exemplified, Psalms 51. Prodigal, &c.

3. In supplication and prayer.

Prayer is addressing God; inquiring of him; asking his blessing, &c. Abraham, In the text. Now, when speaking to the Lord, we should do it,

1. With reverential fear. "In thy fear will I worship," &c.

2. With deep selfabasement.

3. With resignation to His divine will. He knows best, &c. Christ’s example in Gethsemane.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS