(Abraham’s commitment to the sparks of goodness in the world made him go against God, and God obeyed. Amazing. The world could not be destroyed despite its corruption and the absence of humanity because there are still sparks, mainly or compassion)
*
In the bible there is this most amazing bargain between Abraham and God:
Genesis 18:16-33, Abraham pleads with God for the city of Sodom.
God reveals to Abraham that he is going to go down and see if the sin in Sodom is grievous. God engages with Abraham “a friend of God” and tells him that he is going to destroy the cities. Abraam who knows all the sins of the city, knows the cities are doomed and thus begins to plead with God, because he recognizes Gods mercy. Verses 22-32 detail the conversation and back and forth negotiations between Abraham and God, and it’s quite interesting.
Abraham begins asking for the city to be spared, if there are but 50 righteous who are in it. He boldly prays, “Far be it from thee to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be it from Thee! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? God agrees that he will not destroy the cities if he finds 50 righteous. Abraham then asks for the city to be spared if there are but 45, he humbly states, “Behold I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.” God agrees to spare for 45 righteous. Abraham asks to spare for 40, God agrees. Abraham again shows humility and more boldness, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak, suppose 30 be found”, God agrees to spare for 30. Notice here that Abraham began his negotiations by increments of 5, but now asks in increments of 10. Abraham asks to spare for 20, God agrees. Abraham asks to spare for 10, God agrees, and then the Lord went his way.
Gabriel