THE NEGOTIATOR!

Genesis 18:22-33 NASB

Then the men turned away from there and went toward Sodom, while Abraham was still standing before the Lord. [23] Abraham approached and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? [24] Suppose there are fifty righteous people within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? [25] Far be it from You to do such a thing, to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” [26] So the Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the entire place on their account.” [27] And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am only dust and ashes. [28] Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the entire city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” [29] And he spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.” [30] Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.” [31] And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.” [32] Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once: suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.” [33] As soon as He had finished speaking to Abraham the Lord departed, and Abraham returned to his place.

 

The Negotiator is a 1998 American crime thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey as expert hostage negotiators in the Chicago Police Department. But their skills have nothing on Father Abraham.

We live in times that are both dangerous and full of opportunity. We have every modern convenience and plenty of leisure, yet our world often mirrors Sodom and Gomorrah in its moral decay according to Ezekiel 16:46-49. Many profit in the shadows of wickedness, still waiting for someone to negotiate for their salvation and deliverance. Would you be that person?

Abraham the Negotiator! 

Are you negotiating with God?

Abraham demonstrated the truth of James 5:16 through his passionate concern for Lot, fervently negotiating with the Lord for deliverance. Abraham believed that God’s purposes could be influenced by prayer and repentance. So he prayed—God’s judgment on Sodom was not final in verse 21, and Abraham’s intercession could make a difference if the conditions were met.

We all negotiate in some way every day, even if we don’t call it that. I like to think I’m a good negotiator—my children say I’m a bargain fanatic! But the truth is, we all negotiate, especially with God. Abraham shows us what it means to negotiate with our heavenly Father.

Abraham began by humbly admitting his unworthiness to even speak with God according to verse 27, yet he felt compelled to intercede for his people. He could do this because of his relationship with God.

How about you? Are you a negotiator? Would you negotiate with God to save a loved one?

The negotiators in the movie fought over human costs, but as God’s negotiators, our mission is to save lives and souls.

Moses was another negotiator—when God wanted to destroy the Israelites for the golden calf, Moses pleaded for mercy according to Exodus 32:9-14, and God spared them. 

Another word for this kind of negotiation is intercessory prayer. Can you imagine being bold enough to negotiate with God? With a trader, you have bargaining power because you both want something. With God, He holds everything—yet He invites us to negotiate with Him in Isaiah 1:18-20; Isaiah 41:21. God says, “Bring your strong reasons.” In other words, present your case and show why you seek that result.

It’s in prayer that God reveals His will and covenant (Psalm 25:14). What a privilege that the Father listens and allows us to negotiate on behalf of others.

At first glance, it seems Abraham took the initiative with God. But actually, God started the conversation in verses 17-21, then waited for Abraham to respond in verse 22, drawing him from fifty down to ten, and choosing when to end the negotiation in verse 33.

The negotiator in the Bible is not trying to “change God’s mind” as much as responding to God’s invitation to care deeply for others and to pray boldly. God welcomes us to present our case, stand in the gap, and intercede for mercy and deliverance for others.

A biblical negotiator is an intercessor—someone who prays persistently and boldly for others, trusting in God’s justice and mercy. Abraham’s example encourages us to pray with compassion, humility, and faith, believing that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people

Like Abraham, we must remember that God is merciful—He will spare even the wicked for the sake of a few righteous people—but He is also just and will judge all sin, even those done in secret. Abraham negotiated for Lot. Will you stand as the negotiator for someone today?

PRAYER: Lord, grant me the zeal and boldness to speak up whenever I need to save a life and soul. In Jesus’ name, amen.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/womenoflight/episodes/THE-NEGOTIATOR-e34acqc

Follow the FRESH MANNA CHANNEL on Telegram: https://t.me/freshmdevo

Follow the FRESH MANNA CHANNEL on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va8y5tqAjPXP6kZdoX1j

EMAIL: TEEWOMENOFLIGHT@OUTLOOK.COM

WOULD YOU CONSIDER PARTNERING WITH US TO REACH MORE PEOPLE? BY SHARING THIS MESSAGE ON YOUR PLATFORMS AND CONTACTS OR  SOWING A SEED TO HELP US KEEP DOING THE WORK OF THE MINISTRY.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR GENEROUSITY AND SUPPORT.

SHALOM