From Eternity Past

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Who Prays for “Sodom” Today?

The spirit of Abraham was the spirit of Christ, Himself the great Intercessor in the sinner's behalf. Christ manifested toward the sinner a love which infinite goodness alone could conceive. In the agonies of the crucifixion, burdened with the awful weight of the sins of the whole world, He prayed for His murderers, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:34. EP 85.3

The testimony of God is, “Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which He hath spoken of him.” It was a high honor to which Abraham was called, that of being father of the people who were the guardians of the truth of God for the world—through whom all nations should be blessed in the advent of the Messiah. Abraham would keep the law and deal justly and righteously. And he would not only fear the Lord himself but would instruct his family in righteousness. EP 85.4

Abraham's household comprised more than a thousand souls. Here, as in a school, they received such instruction as would prepare them to be representatives of the true faith. He was training heads of families, and his methods of government would be carried out in the households over which they should preside. EP 86.1

It was necessary to bind the members of the household together, to build up a barrier against the idolatry that had become widespread. Abraham sought to guard his encampment against mingling with the heathen and witnessing their idolatrous practices. Care was exercised to impress the mind with the majesty and glory of the living God as the true object of worship. EP 86.2

God himself had separated Abraham from his idolatrous kindred that the patriarch might educate his family apart from the seductive influences in Mesopotamia, and that the true faith might be preserved in its purity by his descendants. EP 86.3