Theme: DIALOGUE
The Encarta Dictionary has these definitions for the word dialogue: “a formal discussion or negotiation, especially between opposing sides in a political or international contest”; “a conversation: talk of any kind between two or more people”. Dialogue has been an effective means used by civilized people in preventing conflicts, conflagration or war. This process involves a meeting of minds by parties involved in negotiations to bring an end to hostilities.
Text: “Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.” – Genesis 18:24-26.
Comment: Because of their unbearable atrocities, God Almighty sent angels to move against the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. (See Romans 1:26-28) However, one of the angels, identified as the ‘Lord’ thought it wise to reveal their mission to Abraham, whose nephew, Lot, with his family, inhabited one of the cities. Lot was totally opposed to their homosexual conduct. (2 Peter 2:7, 8) It was out of concern for Lot that Abraham asked the angel saying: “Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” (Genesis 18:23) In this emotive and sobering dialogue, Abraham kept reducing the number of people for whose sake the cities could be saved from 50 at first, to only 10 at the sixth time. (Genesis 18:32) It is instructive that though the angel is far superior to Abraham in everything, yet he still bore with him in answering his questions. Abraham on his part was humble and used soft words to talk to the angel. For dialogue to be effective, the atmosphere must be right. King Solomon truly says: “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger”. (Proverbs 15:1) As people of God, it is very important that we discuss among ourselves whenever there are issues and come to mutual understanding and settlement. The Bible exhorts that communication from us should be “that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers”. – Ephesians 4:29.