In parashat vayera’s second act, Abraham learns of the impending destruction of Sodom and confronts God, asking, “Will You sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”. Abraham then asks God to spare the city if fifty righteous human beings can be found there. God consents, and keeps consenting, even as Abraham slowly bargains from fifty to forty-five, then forty, then thirty, then twenty, then ten. Once Abraham reaches ten, God departs, and Abraham returns home.
Throughout the exchange, the text contains several cues to Abraham’s humility. He refers to himself as “dust and ashes”. He begs God, “Please don’t be angry with me for speaking once more.” However, these cues, as well as the humor of the dialogue they help fashion, do not conceal Abraham’s audacity throughout the passage. Abraham even questions God’s benevolence, inquiring, “Shouldn’t the Judge of the entire Earth behave justly?”.
Abraham’s behavior appears to contradict the message of the Book of Job, whose titular hero concedes after coming face-to-face with Divine power and responsibility. However, it should be noted that Job initially condemns God for the injustices he experiences, whereas Abraham condemns God for the injustice he hopes to prevent befalling others. This distinction suggests that no authority, even God, should prevent us from struggling against the injustices set to fall upon others. Like Abraham, we are meant to stand against potential injustice with all our strength.
— Rabbi Josh Knobel